Awards & Certifications

TYPES OF CERTIFICATION

  • Certifications apply to products, not brands.
  • Products are purchased randomly from the retailers like local co-ops, national grocers, and online marketplaces, just as consumers would buy them.  This independent approach to sampling is meant to mirror the consumer shopping experience and evaluate the true contents of what’s in refrigerators, drawers, and pantries across America.
  • Tests are performed annually by a third-party, ISO 17025 Accredited Lab

CLEAN LABEL PROJECT CERTIFIED

Clean Label Project certifies individual products according to standards derived from California’s Proposition 65, European Union regulations, U.S. federal and state regulations, and our proprietary category data. Our CLP Certification is informed by a combination of these sources. Testing typically includes screening for heavy metals, pesticides, glyphosate, phthalates, and bisphenol. The type of product will dictate when additional testing may be conducted—such as acrylamide testing for baked goods.

PURITY AWARD

The Purity Award evaluates how a product performs relative to others in its category—only those ranking in the top third of tested products for the given category, qualify. Purity Awards are limited to product categories that have undergone comprehensive analysis by Clean Label Project (CLP).

PESTICIDE AWARD

For a more in-depth assessment of pesticides, our Pesticide Award evaluates products for more than 300 commonly used pesticides. This testing includes glyphosate—the active ingredient in Roundup—which has been associated with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

FIRST 1,000 DAYS PROMISE

Clean Label Project’s First 1,000 Day Promise sets contaminant limits for products aimed at pregnant women, infants, and young children, inspired by strict European standards.

TRANSPARENCY PROJECT AWARD

The Clean Label Project Transparency Project Award expands on the rigorous standards of the Clean Label Project Purity Award, which screens for hidden contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and plasticizers. Through this program, brands can add a QR code to their packaging, giving consumers instant access to detailed testing results. With a quick scan, you can see the strict safety measures behind each product—helping you make more informed, healthier choices.

USDA FSIS

The CLP Award for USDA FSIS is reserved for brands that are regulated by the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) that meet the requirements of the Clean Label Project Purity Award. The Clean Label Project Purity Award evaluates products for Industrial and environmental contaminants like heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plasticizers. Because certain terminology within the ‘Clean Label Project Purity Award’ (namely ‘Clean’ and ‘Purity’ have established definitions within the USDA FSIS) Clean Label Project amended its logo for use on products that USDA FSIS regulated to prevent confusion.

Learn More About the Certification Process