Return/Refund policy

We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item (delivery date) to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it: unopened, unworn, unused, with tags, in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt as proof of purchase.

To start a return, you can contact us at smashmouthfoods@gmail.com

If your return is accepted, we’ll send instructions on how and where to send your package. The customer will be responsible for paying shipping costs for returning the item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If the customer does not pay for shipping cost, the cost will be deducted from the refund issued. 

Note: Items sent back to us without first requesting a return authorization will not be accepted.

You can always contact us for any return questions at: smashmouthfoods@gmail.com.

Damage and issues
Please inspect your order upon arrival and contact us immediately if the item is:

-Defective

-Damaged

-The wrong item

This is so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right!

Exceptions / non-returnable items
Certain types of items cannot be returned, like perishable goods (such as food items). Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.

Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have, and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item.

Refunds
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund is approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund to your account.

Origin:

Despite the unusual sounding name, Xanthan gum is a natural product created through a fermentation process using a plant-based sugar (typically from corn, soy, or wheat) and a type of bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris. After fermentation, the residue is dried and ground into a powder. It is often compared to natural products like vinegar or yeast due to its fermentation origin.

 Note: People with severe allergies to soy, corn, or wheat may want to avoid xanthan gum, out of an abundance of caution, by avoiding potentially consuming even trace amounts of these allergens.

Natural classification:

Because it is produced by a natural fermentation process, it is considered a natural food additive, similar to how other products like vinegar are made. 

Usage:

It is widely used as a thickener and stabilizer in many products (especially in gluten-free baking where it mimics the binding properties of gluten)

Note: The amount of xanthan gum content in an entire 8oz bottle of our hot sauce products is only 0.2 grams to 0.4 grams.

Although extremely rare (at the typically miniscule amounts used in food products) Xanthan gum can cause digestive issues in some people when consumed in large amounts.

In human studies , large doses, defined as >15 grams/day (Note: This amount would be very difficult to reach through a typical diet) of xanthan gum were found to have the following potential effects on the human GI tract:

-Increased frequency of bowel movements

-Increased stool output

-softening of the stools

-Increased gas

-Altered gut bacteria

These side effects do not appear to occur unless at least 15 grams/day are consumed.

Moreover, xanthan gum’s ability to alter gut bacteria may be a good thing, as many other soluble fibers alter gut bacteria. They’re known as prebiotics and promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut.

However, more research is needed to understand xanthan gum’s potential as a prebiotic.

Most orders for our Hot sauce/food products ship in 1-3 business days (Monday-Friday)

Our branded merchandise products will ship separately, and after the lead time necessary, for our “Print on Demand” vendor to create it for you.

Scoville heat units (SHU) measure the spice level of chili peppers and other hot foods based on the concentration of capsaicin, a compound found in Chile peppers that creates that burning sensation. Originally, the Scoville scale used a taste test, but modern measurement is done using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), which provides a more precise and consistent result. A higher SHU number indicates a hotter food.  

How the measurement works

Original method:

Wilbur Scoville's 1912 test involved diluting ground peppers in sugar water and having a panel of tasters determine how much dilution was needed before the heat was no longer perceptible/detectable. 

Modern method:

HPLC is the standard for measurement today. It works by grinding up the pepper and separating its compounds to quantify the amount of capsaicin and other heat-producing chemicals. The results can then be converted to SHUs. 

How the number is calculated:

For example, pure capsaicin has a value of about 16,000,000 SHU. Some of the hottest peppers can have SHU ratings well over 1 million, like the Carolina Reaper at over 2,000,000 SHU. 

Examples of SHU ratings

Bell pepper: 0 SHU

Jalapeño: 2,500 to 8,000 SHU

Habanero: 100,000 to 350,000 SHU

Ghost pepper: Approximately 1,000,000 SHU 

Moruga Scorpion Pepper: 1.5 - 2 million SHU

Carolina Reaper Pepper: 1.8 - 2.2 Million SHU

Dragon’s Breath: 2 - 2.5 Million SHU

Pepper X: 2.8 - 3.1 Million SHU