FAQs
In this section are some frequently asked questions that we receive from our customers
(Please click to expand for more information)
Where are your products available from?
Our products are available through your local wholesaler. Click here to get in touch with your local sales contact to find out more information.
What is Essential Cuisine doing to tackle packaging waste?
Our plastic packaging is 100% recyclable*, from shrink wrap, to our tubs. We are also reducing our cardboard usage – this has been reduced by 90% since 2013.
*please check your local recycling point.
How do I contact a member of the team?
Our team are available to chat over the phone from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday – please visit our ‘contact us’ page to find the corresponding phone number for the department you would like to speak to.
If you would like to raise a query out of hours please email enquires@essentialcuisine.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Do any products in the range contain declarable allergens?
We try and avoid using unnecessary allergens in our products. Where allergens are present, these are clearly stated in bold in the ingredient list. All our products are gluten free. Click here to view our product allergen and intolerance information.
Where are your products produced?
The majority of our products (85% plus of our range) are produced in the UK at our factory in Winsford, Cheshire.
Our remaining products are made within Europe with our key production partners.
Are your products high in salt?
We pride ourselves in having perfectly balanced products in terms of seasoning.
What’s more, our Stock Mixes, Gravies and Glaces meet the 2024 salt targets set by Public Health England.
How do I store your products?
Please refer to package for specific storage instructions.
What does a stock mix powder mean?
Powdered ingredients are blended together to make a convenient and easy-to-use product.
What is a concentrated paste?
Liquid ingredients are blended together to make a convenient and easy-to-use product.
How do I request a free sample?
Click here to access our sample request form, we will aim to get back to you in 7 working days.
Are any of the products in your range suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
Yes! Many of our products are suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Visit the ‘products’ tab on the navigation bar and specify your dietary requirement to find the full range.
Where can I find your allergen and intolerance declaration form?
Where can I find more information on sector support?
Click here to find our sector support, this section of the website is packed with trend insights, recipe inspiration and how team Essential can help you!
What is our main accreditation?
We are audited and approved by ‘Brand Recognition Consortium Global Standard’ (BRCGS), formerly known as ‘British Retail Consortium’, which provides a framework for effectively managing food safety and quality responsibilities.
This demonstrates that our company and site has a robust and effective Food Safety Management System & HACCP programme in place to meet the requirements of regulators, food business clients and customers.
What are Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines?
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are guidelines and procedures designed to ensure the safety and quality of food products.
These guidelines and procedures apply to all aspects of food production, including the production, processing, packaging, and storage of food products.
The main objective of GMPs is to reduce the risks associated with food production and ensure that the food products are safe and high-quality.
Does Essential Cuisine follow the GMP guidelines?
Yes, we follow these guidelines strictly to ensure our products are safe and high-quality.
Do our products contain nuts?
We are a nut and sesame free site and all of our suppliers are robustly validated and approved.
Do our products contain gluten?
All our suppliers and raw materials undergo a gluten risk assessment.
All batches of our Gluten Free products are tested for gluten before releasing.
We do not handle any gluten containing ingredients in our production area.
Is your packaging recyclable?
Our pots and lids are recyclable plastic.
Tetra-paks are multi-layered with plastic and foil, which is not recyclable. However, the board used is from sustainable FSC approved sources. All of our cardboard used is recyclable.
What is the shelf life upon opening products?
Please adhere to the storage instructions on the package, if so, for this product the shelf life can be obtained for the duration stated on the product.
Once this product is opened, it will deteriorate from a quality and food safety perspective, therefore it is to the discretion of the business/ person using the product.
Are your products suitable for Halal diets?
There are products within our ranges that are Halal certified. Our Vegan Stock Mixes are Halal certified and vegan, manufactured in a Halal certified facility. Approved by the Halal Food Authority.
Do any of your products contain smoke flavourings?
From 1st July 2026, the use of smoke flavourings will no longer be permitted in sauces and seasonings in the EU. The UK is likely to follow suit, so we are actively taking steps to replace smoke flavours with smoked ingredients before this takes effect. This change also ensures we continue to follow food safety guidelines, set out by BRCGS and in line with our accreditation.
