Functional clean label solutions for "Free From" natural products (2023)

FAQs

What is clean label vs natural? ›

According to FDA and USDA, the major difference between “natural” and “clean label” claims relies mainly on food colorings. Natural colorants (like carotenoids and anthocyanins) are not allowed in natural labeling, but are acceptable in clean labeling.

Essentially, clean label means making a product using as few ingredients as possible, and making sure those ingredients are items that consumers recognize and think of as wholesome—ingredients that consumers might use at home.

"Clean Label" dietary supplements are those made with simple-to-understand and minimally processed ingredients. Typically, a "clean label" supplement will be free of synthetic ingredients or preservatives, GMOs, allergens and gluten.

For most consumers, the term “clean label” means 'healthy' and free from artificial additives or preservatives.

Clean label: there is no fixed definition since it varies according to country. It can be understood as referring to products composed only of natural ingredients or to unprocessed products. Organic: A product is considered organic depending on how it was grown and processed.

Many equate the term clean with safe cosmetics and it's often used interchangeably with the label "non-toxic". While natural skincare focuses on what's in the formula, clean skincare "focuses on what is not in the product as well as the product's environmental impact," says Vanessa.

Products which meet the requirements to display statements such as 'raw', 'no added sugar', 'no-GMOs', 'organic', '1 of your 5 a day', 'low salt' may be perceived as healthier. Customers are more likely to view the brands displaying these claims as valuing health and nutrition.

Review the four key elements of a cleaning product label and what to look for in each section: Directions, Caution Warnings, Ingredients and Storage and Disposal Instructions.

Look for the USP or ConsumerLab label

“A USP-verified product means it contains the listed ingredients at the strength indicated — and is not contaminated with any other substances, such as heavy metals or microbes,” Dr.

Who is behind the clean label project? ›

Jackie Bowen is the Executive Director of the Clean Label Project. Before coming to Clean Label Project, Jackie held numerous technical, standards development, and leadership roles within the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre, NSF International.

The label breaks down the amount of calories, carbs, fat, fiber, protein, and vitamins per serving of the food, making it easier to compare the nutrition of similar products. Be sure to look at different brands of the same foods—nutrition information can differ a lot.

Functional foods can be widely described as processed food that provides medical or health benefits as well as a reduction in disease risk.

What is an example of Labeling? An example of labeling could be saying that a young man across the street is a thief because he was seen in the company of other young men with deviant behavior. Even though he may not be a thief, it might cause him to steal due to the label given to him.

Therefore, a functional food ingredient is a food additive that is subject to premarket approval by the FDA, unless the ingredient is “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) by qualified experts under the conditions of the intended use.

There are four distinct labeling categories for organic products – 100 percent organic, organic, “made with” organic ingredients, and specific organic ingredients.

Unlike “natural,” which has no clear definition, use of the “organic” food label and seal is strictly regulated by the National Organic Program, which is administered through the USDA. Foods with an organic seal are certified organic and contain at least 95% organic content (5).

Organic foods are grown without artificial pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides. Organic meat, eggs, and dairy products are obtained from animals that are fed natural feed and not given hormones or antibiotics. Natural foods are free of synthetic or artificial ingredients or additives.

As a general rule, organic products are safer than natural products, because they are so strictly regulated by the USDA. This regulation can give you full confidence that an organic product was produced safely and does not contain any ingredients or additives that may be harmful.

A basic natural cleaning toolkit includes white vinegar, baking soda, borax, citrus fruit, and empty spray bottles. You may also want hydrogen peroxide, cornstarch, castile soap, tea tree oil, and other essential oils for scent. Add microfiber cloths or old cotton T-shirts instead of paper towels for less waste.

Are all natural cleaning products safe? ›

So while you may think “natural” means no dangerous chemicals, that's actually not at all the case. While many natural cleaners may be somewhat safer than conventional cleaners, the reality is that many products labeled as “natural” are actually not toxic chemical free cleaners at all.

“Because they believe they are better for their health,” ​explained Schofield. According to Mintel research, consumers often believe heavily processed and artificial ingredients are bad for their health.

For example, labels such as "doctor", "surfer", "American", "Bostonian", "Harvard graduate", "punk rocker", "sailor" and "award winning director" all indicate an ability to fit in to different types of cultures.

The Five Things method breaks down the mess into five categories: trash, laundry, dishes, things that have a place and things that don't have a place. This makes it easier to focus on one task at a time and get organized quickly. Start by doing the bare minimum in each category.

Cleaning – every kind of cleaning – involves three elements: temperature, agitation and cleaning agent.

All foods have to list seven food components on their nutritional information panels – energy (kilojoules), protein, total fat, saturated fat, total carbohydrates, sugars and sodium.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most commonly used supplements for arthritis. They're components of cartilage—the substance that cushions the joints.

Choose brands labeled with the NSF International, US Pharmacopeia, Underwriters Laboratory, or Consumer Lab seal. These verify that the product actually contains the ingredients that the label says it does, and that the product doesn't have any potentially harmful ingredients.

Is clean label Project real? ›

Clean Label Project is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization run by a small staff and assisted by a board of directors and a Medical Advisory Board. We are also mothers, fathers, pet lovers, consumers and agents of change concerned about the industrial and environmental contaminants in consumer products.

Let's take a look at the risks associated with the four most common heavy metals found in food and supplements. The most common are Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic and Lead, although there are other heavy metals that can be found in protein powders due to contamination from pesticides and contaminated ingredient sources.

The FDA states that if a food product is labeled as “natural”, nothing artificial, such as artificial food coloring, has been added to it. Additionally, the FDA does not consider the word “natural” on food as describing any nutritional or health benefits.

Nutrition labels must display the amount of energy (calories and kilojoules) and the amount of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, proteins and salt (all expressed in grams) present in 100g (or 100 ml) of the food.

They define functional foods as foods that contain, in addition to nutrients, other components that may be beneficial to health. Similarly, the Mayo Clinic defines these foods as “…. foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition” (2).

Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; Product description, including contents, materials, and the amount of the product included. You may also include a serial number or a batch number for tracking purposes; Compliance marks for specific regulatory standards.

A crucial element to healthcare provision, labelling includes wristband identification, patient record labels, sample identification and dispensed medication labels.

Are functional foods natural? ›

Functional foods are generally separated into two categories: conventional and modified (2). Conventional foods are natural, whole-food ingredients that are rich in important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats.

What are functional ingredients? A functional ingredient is a bioactive compound that can be used in the manufacture of functional food products. These bioactive compounds can be obtained from a variety of sources such as primary produce, marine sources, microorganisms and inorganic raw materials.

To protect consumers, the FDA needs to regulate dietary supplement ingredients in functional foods as they do conventional food additives.

Meanwhile, the USDA defines “natural” as “a product containing no artificial ingredient or added color” that “is only minimally processed,” meaning it's “processed in a manner that does not fundamentally alter the product.” That means animals raised with hormones and antibiotics can still fall under the “natural” ...

The FDA has considered the term "natural" to mean that nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in that food.

Key differences: Clean beauty is mindful of the environment, while natural beauty focuses more on the ingredients in products. Clean beauty will always mean non-toxic, whereas products labeled “natural” may still include toxic chemicals among the natural ingredients.

The FDA states that if a food product is labeled as “natural”, nothing artificial, such as artificial food coloring, has been added to it. Additionally, the FDA does not consider the word “natural” on food as describing any nutritional or health benefits.

Organic foods are grown without artificial pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides. Organic meat, eggs, and dairy products are obtained from animals that are fed natural feed and not given hormones or antibiotics. Natural foods are free of synthetic or artificial ingredients or additives.

“Natural” in terms of agriculture means that the product has not been chemically treated, while “organic” means that the crops were grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.

Many experts agree that the only way to be totally sure that a product is 100-percent natural is if there's a third-party certification or seal on the product that verifies that there are no synthetic chemicals in the formula, but whether or not a brand chooses to put this seal on its products is optional.

What are all natural ingredients? ›

an unprocessed chemical that is found in nature, such as chemicals from plants, micro-organisms, animals, the earth and the sea. a chemical that is found in nature and extracted using a process that does not change its chemical composition.

Sometimes natural ingredients are safer and better than synthetic alternatives. But many naturally occurring substances are not safe, and some are used as ingredients in personal care products. For example, clays may be contaminated with toxic heavy metals and certain additives can cause an allergic reaction.

Natural products can contain chemicals but that is not the case of organic products. “Organic” strictly refers to ingredients that are farmed without pesticides, chemicals or artificial fertilizers and it is non-GMO.

Many people believe passionately that natural, organic ingredients are better for the skin but the truth is this belief has no factual basis or scientific legitimacy.

Natural skin care products are often more sustainable since they do not contain any synthetic ingredients that may pollute the environment. Chemical skin care products may have a greater impact on the environment since some of the synthetic ingredients used in them can be harmful to the environment.

For a product to be labeled as "natural," it must contain no artificial ingredients or added color, and must be only minimally processed, according to the USDA.

Natural, All Natural or 100% Natural

USDA definition- “A product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed. Minimal processing means that the product was processed in a manner that does not fundamentally alter the product.

USDA 'ALL NATURAL' DEFINITION.

This means that the products have been processed in a manner that does not fundamentally alter them.