This seal guarantees that our wild rice is Minnesota Hand Harvested.      Entrepreneurs have developed a hybrid seed which is grown in diked paddies, polluted with chemicals, harvested with modified white rice combines, then sold as "wild" rice. Another twist to Wild Rice production is in Canada where lakes are being seeded and harvested with air boats. Minnesota State Legislation demands separate labeling for WILD Rice and the impostor paddy "wild" rice. Unfortunately, this is not yet nationwide. Ask your purveyor about his source of wild rice -- do not be fooled by paddy rice; or always buy from us as we give you the Real Thing -- Minnesota Hand-Harvested WILD Rice.      Regardless of whether the raw "green" Wild Rice comes from the commercial paddies, or the seeded lakes of Canada, or the natural stands in Minnesota, the manner in which "green" rice is handled and processed will create unmistakable characteristics in the finished rice. Because of the enormous quantities of paddy "wild" rice being grown and because "green" paddy rice is very vulnerable to spoilage, it is impossible to consistently produce it to high quality standards.      We at NORTHERN LAKES WILD RICE COMPANY continue to maintain high quality standards -- Standards of handling and producing Wild Rice that used to be the norm in the industry years ago, when there WAS only Wild Rice. Today well over 95% of the so-called Wild Rice on the market comes from farmed paddies of California and Minnesota. The characteristically short chubby, shiny black paddy grain is mass produced and the Wild Rice industry has resisted any type of grading system for consumer identity and protection. The many paddy rice companies and food industry giants have been exploiting the paddy "wild" rice for years.      If you are the consumer who prefers only the very best, then Northern Lakes Wild Rice is the only rice for you.