USDA Food Safety Inspection Service

Clean Label Project Certification: USDA FSIS

What is the CLP Award?

The CLP Award 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.

What is the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service? How is Clean Label Project’s definition of “Clean” and “Purity” different from the USDA FSIS?

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, is the public health regulatory agency responsible for protecting the public’s health by ensuring that meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome and properly labeled.

How is Clean Label Project’s definition of “Clean” and “Purity” different from the USDA FSIS? Where can I learn more about the Clean Label Project?

For Clean Label Project, we sample and test products for Industrial and environmental contaminants and toxins including heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plasticizers (like BPA, BPS, or phthalates). For Clean Label Project, “Clean” and “Purity” is used in reference to these contaminants. For USDA FSIS, the definition of ‘Clean’ Includes the Important role of ensuring that products and facilities are sanitary. “Pure” is defined as a single Ingredient. In an effort to 1) not cause confusion through the use of words with different definitions and 2) to not imply that if a USDA FSIS regulated product is NOT Clean Label Project certified that it means that the product does not meet the USDA FSIS requirements.

Where can I learn more about the Clean Label Project?

You can learn more about the Clean Label Project, its standard, and certified brands and products here.