Pesticide Free Certification
With rising concerns over pesticides-from neonicotinoids and Colony Collapse Disorder to glyphosate’s link to cancer-consumer anxiety is at an all-time high. Although organic farming minimizes chemicals, over 99% of U.S. farmland remains conventional, risking contamination of organic fields. This awareness opens market opportunities for those committed to reducing pesticide reliance. By prioritizing sustainability and safety, industry leaders can meet consumer expectations and foster a healthier planet. Now is the time to reimagine agricultural practices for a future where health and sustainability are inseparable. Clean Label Project Pesticide-Free program picks up where the USDA National Organic Program leaves off—requiring mandatory unannounced sampling and testing of each product at retail.
Consistent with other Clean Label Project Codes of Practice, this Pesticide-Free Code of Practice looks to minimize direct consumer exposure to residual pesticides. While laws and tolerances exist around specific maximum pesticide levels on a variety of commodity crops, consumers ultimately want to reduce or eliminate, where possible, their and their family’s direct exposure and consumption of these chemicals. To that end, Clean Label Project Code of Practice: Pesticide-free identifies the most commonly used pesticides for different commodity crops and then samples and tests products seeking compliance to this Code of Practice to ensure the absence of these chemicals in the finished product.
Reach out to Clean Label Project to get a non-disclosure agreement and application materials. We’ll schedule a call to discuss your brand, product portfolio, and current quality assurance and control initiatives.
After the product scope is identified, Clean Label Project will use its Consumer Chain of Custody Sampling Process. Clean Label Project simulates the consumer shopping experience, by purchasing samples from local co-ops, national retailers, and brand websites. 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.
After the products are purchased at retail, Clean Label Project submits the samples to one of its ISO-accredited analytical chemistry partner laboratories. The scope of testing for Clean Label Project: Pesticide-Free evaluates product for over 300 of the most commonly used pesticides. This includes glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-up that has been linked to non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The testing process can take up to 3 weeks.
Upon completion of the testing, Clean Label Project schedules a call with the testing laboratory and the brand. The test results are shared and discussed. Products that yield compliant test results in addition to other supporting compliance requirements, qualify for Clean Label Project Pesticide-Free certification.
Clean Label Project will work with you on the marketing of your award to both consumers and retailers. However, keep in mind, a single test point is not enough to demonstrate ongoing compliance. It’s about making sure that the brand continues to maintain their internal quality assurance and control programs. Clean Label Project will continue to use its consumer chain of custody sampling and testing process to perform unannounced sampling and testing. The expectation is that you maintain the same ingredient quality assurance requirements to maintain these high standards.
If a product is found to be non-compliant, adverse action policies are outlined in the applicable Clean Label Project Code of Practice.
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