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Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION
You can find our product’s nutritional information directly on the product’s outer packaging or by visiting our webpage at delrealfoods.com. Click on the image of the product and then scroll to the bottom of the page for Heating & Nutritional Instructions or click on the Downloadable PDF.
We use 100% USDA Choice Cuts for our Beef Barbacoa and Shredded Beef products.
Our pork comes from the USA and Canada.
Our beef comes from the USA.
Del Real Foods strives to keep the sodium level of our products as low as possible while delivering great flavor. In addition, we avoid preservatives without compromising the flavor and quality of the products. Please note the amount of sodium is per serving, the nutritional information is based on a 2 tsp serving size.
Yes, if pouch seals are closed and there are no pinholes or tears in the pouch itself. Some of our items contain sauce
(i.e., Chile Verde, Barbacoa) and the pouches will not have a tight vacuum because the seal integrity would otherwise be compromised.
STORAGE
Yes, you may freeze the tamales (or any Del Real product) to extend the shelf life; it is important to freeze them before the sell-by date printed on the package. They will last up to 6 months frozen without serious quality degradation.
The sell-by date is located on the outer package. Another way to determine the sell-by date is by locating the lot number on the pouch and calling our Customer Service Department to provide you with the sell-by date.
We don’t recommend using the product after the pouch has been open for more than 3-5 days.
Our Tamales may be refrigerated up to the sell-by date. However, we don’t recommend using the product after the pouch has been open for more than 3-5 days. Variation in temperature and storage containers may lead to a shorter or longer holding time.
No, the product must be frozen BEFORE the sell-by date.
Salsas are the only products we don’t recommend freezing for the reason that they get watery and lose flavor. However, they can be frozen prior to the “use by” date and not pose a food safety issue if thawed and consumed later.
Yes, you can freeze the tamales in the bag in which they were purchased.
Yes, our black containers are re-usable in a microwave oven.
INGREDIENTS
Our Cheese Tamales are made with Monterey Jack cheese.
Yes, the corn used in the tamales is genetically modified. There are no products GMO-free due to a natural phenomenon in corn called cross-pollination. There are many types of GMO modifications in the United States and all of them are allowed except for Starlink. Del Real Foods corn products are Starlink free.
Our Tamales, including the masa, are fully cooked. Just heat and serve!
HEATING
The fastest way to thaw any of our products is using the Thaw or Defrost feature available on most microwave ovens. Once the product is somewhat thawed, follow the directions on the packages to properly heat the product (Microwaves vary in strength and the product should be monitored as heated).
No, it is not recommended to refreeze any of the products.
It’s not recommended to heat up the Tamales in a crock pot. However, this method may be used to keep the Tamales warm. Do not steam for more than 4 hours.
Yes, preheat oven to 350˚F. Remove product from sleeve and pouch. Place in an oven safe pan, place about ¼ cup of water in pan with the product and cover with foil or oven-safe lid. Reheat for 45-60 minutes or until product reaches 165˚F internal temperature. If frozen, thaw product first then follow same procedure.
Del Real Foods doesn’t recommend heating up the Tamales in the oven since they lose moisture and dry out. The preferred method is microwaving or steaming.
ALLERGENS
Yes, we wash and sanitize our production lines before production.
The Chicken Tamales contain corn starch. Del Real Foods tries to avoid any wheat or any other allergen ingredient in our products.
All of our tamales are wheat gluten free.
No, our Carnitas do not have any lecithin, wheat, egg, and or nut products. Del Real Foods strives to keep our products free of preservatives and/or allergens.
We do not test our products for gluten; however, we use gluten free ingredients.
No, At Del Real Foods we take pride in developing authentic products which are both delicious and free from MSG.
Refined pork lard is used in all our meat Tamales.
Our Cheese and Green Chile tamales contain Microbial enzymes.
The products that are Keto Friendly are our Carnitas, Beef Barbacoa, Shredded Beef, Chicken Al Pastor, Pollo Asado, Shredded Chicken, Salsa de Molcajete Roja, Salsa de Molcajete Verde, and Restaurant Style Salsa.
The products that are Vegetarian are our Plant Based Tamales in Red Sauce, Cheese and Green Chili Tamales, Arroz con Vegetales, Salsa de Molcajete Roja, Salsa de Molcajete Verde, and Restaurant Style Salsa.
PURCHASE DEL REAL FOODS PRODUCTS
Yes, you can give us a call toll-free 1-877-545-7325 or go to our webpage (delrealfoods.com), click on “Where to Buy” found on the top selection bar, and use your zip code to find a local retailer carrying the Del Real Foods product you are looking for. If we currently do not carry a particular product in your area, you can purchase most of our products directly from us. Go to the “Products” tab and click on “Buy Online”. There you can shop for our proteins, tamales, sides, salsas, and exclusive new products.
Yes, you can purchase our products at: https://delrealfoods.com/pages/buyonline
SUSTAINABLE TAMALES
Because delivering high quality, authentic Mexican food products shouldn’t come at the expense of our planet. Making this switch enables us to prevent massive deforestation, and conserve more than 10K gallons of water each week at our facilities.
Not at all as only the wrap they come in has changed. So you can expect the same great taste, texture and quality from all of our products.