Please see "Artificial flavors" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial flavors" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial flavors" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial flavors" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial flavors" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial flavors" for more information. 

Please see "Chemically modified fats" for more information.

Even though Active Agave™ has a lower fructose content than traditional agave nectar, all agave is highly processed.

Please see "Agave--Grandmothered & Limited" for more information.

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

• Chlorofluorocarbons, also known as CFCs, destroy the ozone layer that protects the earth from harmful UV radiation.[i]
• Federal regulations, including the Clean Air Act and EPA regulations, have restricted the use of all consumer and most other CFC aerosol products made or sold in the US.[ii]
• To protect our ozone layer, we only carry aerosol products that use safer, non-CFC propellants.[iii]

[i] Elkins, J.W. (1999). Chloropflurocarbons (CFCs). In Alexander, D.E., Fairbridge, R.W. (Eds) The Chapman & Hall Encyclopedia of Environmental Science (pp 78-80). Retrieved from https://gml.noaa.gov/hats/publictn/elkins/cfcs.html 

[ii] (2008, Sept 4). Bad hair day: are aerosols still bad for the ozone layer? Scientific American EarthTalk. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-aerosols-still-bad/ 

[iii] (2008, Sept 4). Bad hair day: are aerosols still bad for the ozone layer? Scientific American EarthTalk. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-aerosols-still-bad/ 

• The sweetener agave is composed of 75% to 85% free fructose.[i] This is higher than the amount of fructose found in high fructose corn syrup which comes in at around 55% fructose. 
• When fructose is absorbed, it goes directly to the liver where it is converted into fat (aka triglycerides).[ii] This translates into elevated blood triglycerides (a risk factor for cardiovascular disease), increased visceral fat, and, over time, increases the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).[iii] [iv] 
• Unlike other carbohydrates, fructose does not suppress the production of the hunger hormone ghrelin but still stimulates reward in the brain which leads to excessive consumption.[v]
• Agave syrup (aka nectar) is extracted, heat treated, enzyme treated, refined, clarified, demineralized, deodorized and concentrated.[vi] It is highly processed in a manner similar to the processes used for high fructose corn syrup and refined sugar.

[i] Willems J, Low N. Major carbohydrate, polyol, and oligosaccharide profiles of agave syrup. Application of this data to authenticity analysis. J Agric Food Chem. 2012; 3(60): 8745-8754

[ii] Bray GA. Fructose: Pure, White, and Deadly? Fructose, by Any Other Name, Is a Health Hazard. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2010; 4(4): 1003-1007

[iii] Teff, K. L., Elliott, S. S., Tschöp, M., Kieffer, T. J., Rader, D., Heiman, M., Townsend, R. R., Keim, N. L., D'Alessio, D., & Havel, P. J. (2004). Dietary fructose reduces circulating insulin and leptin, attenuates postprandial suppression of ghrelin, and increases triglycerides in women. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 89(6), 2963–2972. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2003-031855

[iv] Jegatheesan, P. De Bandt, J-P. (2017). Fructose and NAFLD: the multifaceted aspects of fructose metabolism. Nutrients, 9(3), 230. doi: 10.3390/nu9030230

[v] Teff, K. L., Elliott, S. S., Tschöp, M., Kieffer, T. J., Rader, D., Heiman, M., Townsend, R. R., Keim, N. L., D'Alessio, D., & Havel, P. J. (2004). Dietary fructose reduces circulating insulin and leptin, attenuates postprandial suppression of ghrelin, and increases triglycerides in women. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 89(6), 2963–2972. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2003-031855

[vi] Maldonado-Guevara, B.I., Mart ń del Campo, S.T., Cardador-Mart ńez, A. (2018). Production process effect on Mexican agave syrups quality: a preliminary study. J Food Res, 7(3), 50-57.  doi:10.5539/jfr.v7n3p50

• Allulose is a rare sugar that only naturally occurs in a few foods in very small amounts. We do not know the impacts the commercially available, manmade version will have on human health and, in particular, the human microbiome, in larger amounts.
• Commercially produced allulose is made through an enzymatic process with the starting materials of corn and sugar beets, both of which are commonly genetically modified. The enzymes used may also be produced from genetically modified microbes.[i] [ii]
• Allulose is known to cause bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and with increasing doses may also cause more extreme symptoms such as nausea, headache, and loss of appetite.[iii]

[i] Jiang, S., Xiao, W., Zhu, X., Yang, P., Zheng, Z., Lu, S., …Liu, J. (2020). Review on D-allulose: In vivo metabolism, catalytic mechanism, engineering strain construction, bio-production technology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol, 8, 26. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00026

[ii] Watson, E. (2009, May 13). Tate & Lyle: ‘The first two things consumers look for on the Nutrition Facts Panel now are calories and sugar’. Food Navigator USA website. Retrieved November 24, 2020 from https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2019/05/13/Tate-Lyle-talks-allulose-The-first-two-things-consumers-look-for-on-the-Nutrition-Facts-panel-now-are-calories-and-sugar#

[iii] Han, Y., Choi, B.R., Kim, S.Y., Bim, S-B., Kim, Y.H, Kwon, E-Y., Choi. M-S. (2018). Gastrointestinal tolerance of D-allulose in healthy young adults. A non-randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 10(12), 2010. doi: 10.3390/nu10122010

Please see "Aluminum-containing additives" for more information.

Please see "Aluminum-containing additives" for more information.

• Although aluminum is naturally occurring, it has no known physiological role in the human body and is known to be toxic at high levels.[i]
• Aluminum can accumulate in all body tissues, including the brain, and in high concentrations is neurotoxic.[ii]
• Aluminum may cause reproductive issues in males and neurological problems in the offspring of females exposed during pregnancy. 
• For most people, the major route of exposure to aluminum is through aluminum-based food additives used in processed foods. Luckily, there are multiple, less problematic alternatives to aluminum-based additives.

[i] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2008. Toxicological profile for Aluminum. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Available at: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp22-c6.pdf

[ii] Aguilar F, Autrup H, Barlow S, et al. Scientific opinion of the panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and food contact material (AFC): Safety of aluminum from dietary intake. The EFSA Journal. 2008;754:1-34. https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2008.754

Please see "Aluminum-containing additives" for more information.

Please see "Aluminum-containing additives" for more information.

Please see "Aluminum-containing additives" for more information.

Please see "Aluminum-containing additives" for more information.

Please see "Aluminum-containing additives" for more information.

Please see "Flour bleaching agents & chemical dough conditioners" for more information. 

Acceptable in beer and hard/spiked seltzer.

Please see "Phosphates" for more information.  

• Many important human drugs are at risk of becoming obsolete due to the increasing development of resistance. Because of this, we feel strongly that antibiotics and antifungals should have no place in our food supply since regular consumption of them contributes to this resistance.
• There is evidence to suggest that fungi and bacteria exposed to natamycin and nisin (the antifungal and antibiotic currently approved for use in the food supply) could become resistant.^{[i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v]}  

• Some antibiotic and antifungal preservatives are produced using genetically modified bacteria, but because current US regulations don’t require products produced by genetically modified bacteria to be labeled as GMO, there is no way to know the source of these preservatives.^{[vi] [vii] [viii] [ix]}

  Note: Natamycin is approved for use in organic agriculture and could be used by some of our produce vendors/growers. 

^[i] Mohamed MA, Ranjard L, Catroux C, Catroux G, Hartmann A. Effect of natamycin on the enumeration, genetic structure and composition of bacterial community isolated from soils and soybean rhizosphere. J Microbiol Methods. 2005 Jan;60(1):31-40. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167701204002283

^[ii] Dalhoff AAH, Levy SB. Does use of the polyene natamycin as a food preservative jeopardise the clinical efficacy of amphotericin B? A word of concern. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2015 June;45(6):564-567. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924857915001028

^[iii] Mantovani HC, Russell JB. Nisin resistance of Streptococcus bovis. Appl Environ Microbial. 2001 Feb;67(2):808-813. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC92651/

^[iv] Sun Z, Zhong J, Liang X et al. Novel mechanism for nisin resistance via proteolytic degradation of nisin by the nisin resistance protein NSR. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009 May;53(5):1964-1973. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2681560/  

^[v] Blake KL, Randall CP, O’Neill AJ. In vitro studies indicate a high resistance potential for the lantibiotic nisin in Staphylococcus aureus and define a genetic basis for nisin resistance. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2011 May;55(5):2362-2368. https://aac.asm.org/content/aac/55/5/2362.full.pdf

^[vi] Hansen JN. Nisin as a model food preservative. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 1994;34(1):69-93. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8142045

^[vii] Kallscheuer N. Engineered microorganisms for the production of food additives approved by the European Union—A systematic analysis. Front Microbiol. 2018;9:1746. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6085563/

^[viii] Gould G. Preservation principles and new technologies. In: Blackburn CW, McClure PJ. Foodborne Pathogens: Hazards, Risk Analysis and Control. 2^nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: Woodhead Publishing, Ltd; 2009.

^[ix] Aparicio JF, Barreales EG, Payero TD, et al. Biotechnological production and application of the antibiotic pimaricin: biosynthesis and its regulation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2016;100:61-78. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700089/

• In the U.S., the majority of the antibiotics that are medically important for human health are sold for conventional animal production. Antibiotics are used to compensate for the abysmal living conditions conventional animals are raised in, whether animals are sick or not.[i]
• Antibiotics and their metabolites are excreted in animal feces where they often seep into groundwater or are introduced into the environment in other ways, including through dust. [ii]
• This widespread use of antibiotics in livestock is a major contributor to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Conventionally raised animals are known to be reservoirs for resistant human pathogens and resistant genes are capable of spreading from animal bacteria to human bacteria. Worldwide, antibiotic resistance is a significant concern as it makes treating infections in humans increasingly difficult and expensive. [iii]

[i] Wallinga, D., Kar, A. (June 15, 2020). New data: animal vs. human antibiotic use remains lopsided. National Resources Defense Council. https://www.nrdc.org/experts/david-wallinga-md/most-human-antibiotics-still-going-us-meat-production

[ii] Manyi-Loh, C., Mamphweli, S., Meyer, E., & Okoh, A. (2018). Antibiotic Use in Agriculture and Its Consequential Resistance in Environmental Sources: Potential Public Health Implications. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 23(4), 795. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040795

[iii] Aaerestrup, F.M., Aidara-Kane, A. (2012). Reducing antimicrobial uses in animal husbandry. In The evolving threat of antimicrobial resistance: Options for action. World Health Organization. Retrieved from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44812/?sequence=1  

• Apeel produces post-harvest coatings that the company claims extend produce shelf-life. Their product Organipeel™ is listed by the Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI) for use “as a fungicide for post-harvest use in organic production or food processing and handling.”[i][ii]
• Apeel states that their products are “made of purified mono- and diglycerides that have been derived from plant oils.”[iii]
• Mono- and diglycerides are only allowed in organic food processing for drum drying (a method used to dry out liquids from raw materials), not as a consumable or coating.
• In their request to the FDA for recognition as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) product, Apeel states that they use ethyl acetate and heptane as solvents. They also list traces of heavy metals including palladium, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.[iv]
• Produce that has been treated with a coating made of mono- and diglycerides does not meet our produce standards.

• Apricot kernels naturally contain the poison cyanide.
• The amount of cyanide in apricot kernels can vary and is not tested for or disclosed. One analysis found that an 8-ounce package contained double the minimum lethal dose of cyanide for an adult human.[i]

[i] https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/26/nyregion/imported-bitter-apricot-pits-recalled-as-cyanide-hazard.html?sec=health)

Please see "Artificial flavors" for more information. 

• We define artificial colors as any food coloring derived from a non-food source, usually coal tar or petroleum. 
• The process of making artificial colors is extremely hazardous and can result in very dangerous chemicals in the final product. Due to this fact, the FDA requires batch certification to try and ensure there are minimal levels of dangerous chemicals in the final product. However, FDA batch-certified artificial colors may still contain upwards of 10 percent impurities and some of these impurities are known carcinogens.[i]
• The adverse health effects linked to artificial colors currently approved for use in the United States include allergies, hyperactivity, cancer, nerve-cell toxicity, genotoxicity, and immune dysfunction.[ii]
• A 2021 report by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in conjunction with the California Environmental Protection Agency, found that human and animal studies confirm artificial colors have a negative effect on children’s behavior (causing inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and restlessness), and that some children seem to be especially susceptible to their effects. The report also states that the FDA’s current acceptable daily intake (ADI) level for artificial colors is too high to protect children from these adverse effects.[iii]

[i] Food Dyes - Center for Science in the Public Interest. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

[ii] Food Dyes - Center for Science in the Public Interest. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/food-dyes-rainbow-of-risks.pdf

[iii] Children’s Environmental Health Center, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency. (2021, Apr). Potential neurobehavior effects of synthetic food dyes in children. Retrieved from: https://oehha.ca.gov/risk-assessment/press-release/report-links-synthetic-food-dyes-hyperactivity-and-other

• There are many chemicals that fall under the umbrella of artificial emulsifiers. They are used in a very wide range of processed food products for emulsification, but also for many different functions such as stabilization, dough strengthening, anti-sticking, and enhancing gloss.
• Some artificial emulsifiers are toxic to aquatic life or are petroleum-based, while some are possibly carcinogenic to humans. [i] [ii] 
• Newer research has also found that some artificial emulsifiers induce gut inflammation, alter the gut microbiome, and may contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease. ^{[iii] [iv] [v] [vi]}

[i] Bondi, C.A.M., Marks, J.L., Wroblewski, L.B., Raatikainen, H.S., Lenox, S.R., Gebhardt, K.E. (2015). Human and environmental toxicity of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): evidence for safe use in household cleaning products. Environ Health Insights, 9; 27-32. doi: 10.4137/EHI.S31765

[ii] Food Safety Commission of Japan (June 2007). Evaluation report of food additives. Polysorbates (Polysorbates 20, 60, 65, and 80). Retrieved from https://www.fsc.go.jp/english/evaluationreports/foodadditive/polysorbate_report.pdf

[iii] Viennois, E., Merlin, D., Gewirtz, A.T., Chassaing, B. (2017). Dietary emulsifier-induced low-grade inflammation promotes colon carcinogenesis. Cancer Research, 77(1), 27-40. DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-1359

[iv] Miclotte, L., Van de Wiele, T. (2019). Food processing, gut microbiota and the globesity problem. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2019.1596878

[v] Singh, R.K., Wheildon, N., Ishikawa, S. (2016). Food additive P-80 impacts mouse gut microbiota promoting intestinal inflammation, obesity and liver dysfunction. SOJ Microbiol Infect Dis, 4(1). doi: 10.15226/sojmid/4/1/00148

[vi] Roberts, C.L., Rushworth, S.L., Richman, E., Rhodes, J.M. (2013). Hypothesis: increased consumption of emulsifiers as an explanation for the rising incidence of Crohn’s disease. Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, 7(4), 339-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crohns.2013.01.004

• Artificial fats do not occur naturally and are not able to be digested by the human body. They are used in highly processed junk food to give the illusion of being “healthier.” Reducing the fat and calorie content of junk food does not make it healthy.
• Ingestion of artificial fats depletes fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein.[i]
• These unnatural fats can cause extremely uncomfortable gastrointestinal issues.[ii]

[i] Schlagheck, T.G., Riccardi, K.A., Zorich, N.L., Torri, S.A., Dugan, L.D., Peters, J.C. (1997). Olestra dose response on fat-soluble and water soluble nutrients in humans. J Nutr, 127(8 Suppl), 1646S-1665S. DOI: 10.1093/jn/127.8.1646S

[ii] Jacobson, M. F. (2004, October 21). Re: Docket No 87F-0179 [Letter to Lester Crawford, U.S. Food and Drug Administration]. Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington D.C.. Retrieved from https://www.cspinet.org/sites/default/files/attachment/9th_report_letter.pdf

• Artificial flavors are made from synthetic man-made chemicals mostly derived from petrochemical raw materials. Artificial flavor production can also be very detrimental to the environment.[i]
• The safety of artificial flavors is still questionable. In the 1950s, new requirements for food chemicals were imposed, but because there were so many flavors and flavor additives already in use at that time, the FDA simply exempted them from testing requirements, essentially grandfathering them in as safe. Most new flavor chemicals are approved by an expert panel assembled by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, funded by the flavor industry.[ii]
• Many artificial flavors are combinations of many chemicals, and many contain more adjuvants, such as emulsifiers, solvents, preservatives, and flavor modifiers, than flavoring.[iii]

[i] Maeda, M. Hooya, T., Yoshioka, K., Miyafuji, H. Ohno, H, Yamada, T. (2018). Vanillin production from native softwood lignin in the presence of tetrabutylammonium ion. J Wood Sci, 64, 810-815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-018-1766-0

[ii] Berenstein, N. (Nov 23, 2015). The inexorable rise of synthetic flavor: a pictorial history. Popular Science website. Retrieved 11/05/20 from https://www.popsci.com/history-flavors-us-pictorial/

[iii] Hallagan, J.B., Hall, R.L. (2009). Under the conditions of intended use – new developments in the FEMA GRAS program and the safety assessment of flavor ingredients. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 47(2), 267-278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2008.11.011

• There are numerous artificial preservatives used in the food supply, but many have dubious safety profiles. Some are known or likely carcinogens; many are endocrine disruptors; some interfere with fetal and early childhood development or are linked to hyperactivity in children; others are toxic to the kidneys; some interfere with how important vitamins and minerals are used by the body; many are petroleum-derived and, in some cases, coal-tar derived; and some are detrimental to the environment. [i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v] [vi] [vii] [viii] [ix] [x] [xi] [xii]
• There are numerous  safe and effective natural preservatives and new packaging technologies, which can be used to preserve our food and provide the right balance between maintaining freshness and keeping food real.

[i] The Proposition 65 List. (n.d.). Retrieved February 01, 2021, from https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list

[ii] National Toxicology Program. (2016). 14^th report on carcinogens. US Department of Health and Human Services. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/butylatedhydroxyanisole.pdf

[iii]Generally Recognized as Safe – But is it? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ewg.org/research/ewg-s-dirty-dozen-guide-food-additives/generally-recognized-as-safe-but-is-it

[iv] EWG's Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives. (2014, November 12). Retrieved February 01, 2021, from https://www.ewg.org/research/ewg-s-dirty-dozen-guide-food-additives

[v] n.a. Final report on the safety assessment of EDTA, calcium disodium EDTA, diammonium EDTA, dipotassium EDTA, disodium EDTA, TEA-EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, tripotassium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, HEDTA, and trisodium HEDTA. Int J Toxicol. 2002 Oct;21(2_suppl):95-142. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1080/10915810290096522#articleCitationDownloadContainer

[vi] McCann D, Barrett A, Cooper A, et al. Food additives and hyperactive behavior in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2007 Nov 3; 370(9598):1560-1567. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=McCann+D+(2007).+Food+additives+and+hyperactive+behaviour+in+3-year-old+and+8%2F9-year-old+children+in+the+community%3A+a+randomised%2C+double-blinded%2C+placebo+controlled+trial.+Lancet%2C+370%2C+1560-156

[vii] Van De Sande MMH, Wirtz S, Vos E, Verhagen H. Diamine tetra acetic acid as a food additive. Eur J Nutr & Food Safety. 2014;4(4):408-423. http://www.journalrepository.org/media/journals/EJNFS_30/2014/Jul/Sande442014EJNFS10405_1.pdf

[viii](n.d.). Retrieved from https://cspinet.org/eating-healthy/chemical-cuisine#propyleneglycol

[ix] Burton GW, Traber MG, Acuff RV, et al. Human plasma and tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations in response to supplementation with deuterated natural and synthetic vitamin E. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998 Apr;67(4):669-684. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9537614

[x] Van De Sande MMH, Wirtz S, Vos E, Verhagen H. Diamine tetra acetic acid as a food additive. Eur J Nutr & Food Safety. 2014;4(4):408-423. http://www.journalrepository.org/media/journals/EJNFS_30/2014/Jul/Sande442014EJNFS10405_1.pdf

[xi] n.a. (Nov 18, 2015) Ethoxyquin: EFSA safety assessment inconclusive. European Food Safety Authority.  http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/151118

[xii] Bucheli-Witschel M, Egli T. Environmental fate and microbial degradation of aminopolycarboxylic acids. FEMS Microbio Rev. 2001 Jan;25(1):69-106. https://academic.oup.com/femsre/article/25/1/69/606255

• As the name implies, artificial starches are not naturally occurring. They are produced in a lab, most commonly through chemical modification of naturally occurring starches.[i]
• Artificial starches are mainly used in highly processed foods.
• There are numerous naturally occurring starches widely available for safe and effective use in food products as alternatives to highly processed artificial starches.

[i] Andrews, R. (n.d.). Resistant starch: what it is? And why it is so good for you? Precision Nutrition website. Retrieved December 8, 2020 from https://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-resistant-starch

• We consider the following chemically produced sugar substitutes to be artificial sweeteners: aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame potassium, neotame, and advantame.
• Heavy consumption of artificial sweeteners is associated with a greater risk of being overweight and of having metabolic syndrome, an increased risk of developing cancer (even when consumed within the FDA’s established Acceptable Daily Intake), and cognitive impairment. [i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v] [vi] [vii] [viii] [ix] [x] [xi] [xii] [xiii^] Artificial sweeteners also alter the microbiota of the human gut, decreasing beneficial bacteria and increasing bacteria associated with inflammation. [xiv] [xv] [xvi]
• Their safety is still highly questionable. Nearly all of the research that has shown them to be “safe” has been performed by the artificial sweetener industry, while independent, non-industry sponsored research has consistently found safety concerns.[xvii] [xviii]

[i] Fowler, S.P., Williams, K., Resendez, R.G., Hunt, K.J., Hazuda, H.P., Stern, M.P. (2012). Fueling the obesity epidemic? Artificially sweetened beverage use and long-term weight gain. Obesity, 16:1894-1900. DOI: 10.1038/oby.2008.284

[ii] Hess, E.L., Myers, E.A., Swithers, S.E., Hendrick,V.E. (2018). Associations between nonnutritive sweetener intake and metabolic syndrome in adults. J Am Coll Nutr, 37(6), 487-493.  doi: 10.1080/07315724.2018.1440658

[iii] Dhingra, R., Sullivan, L., Jacques, P.F., Wang, T.J., Fox C.S., Meigs, J.B.,…Vasan, R.S. (2007). Soft drink consumption and risk of developing cardiometabolic risk factors and the metabolic syndrome in middle-aged adults in the community. Circulation, 116, 480-488. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.689935

[iv] Lutsey, P.L., Steffen, L.M., Stevens, J. (2008). Dietary intake and the development of the metabolic syndrome. Circulation, 117,754-761. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.716159 

[v] Schernhammer, E.S., Bertrand, K.A., Birmann, B.M., Sampson, L., Willet, W.C., Feskanich, D. 2012). Consumption of artificial sweetener- and sugar-containing soda and risk of lymphoma and leukemia in men and women. Am J Clin Nutr, 96(6), 1419-1428.  doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.030833

[vi] Andreatta, M.M., Muñoz, S.E., Latieri, M.J., Eynard, A.R., Navarro, A. (2008). Artificial sweetener consumption and urinary tract tumors in Cordoba, Argentina. Preventative Medicine, 47(1), 136-139. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2008.03.015

[vii] Sturgeon, S.R., Hartge, P., Silverman, D.T., Kantor, A.F., Linehan, W.M., Lynch, C., Hoover, R.N. (1994). Associations between bladder cancer risk factors and tumor stage and grade at diagnosis. Epidemiology, 5(2), 218-225. DOI:10.1097/00001648-199403000-00012

[viii] Abd El-Samad, A.A. (2010). Light and electron microscopic study on the cerebellar cortex of male albino rat. Egyp J Histol, 33(3), 419-430. DOI: Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6465/68d84a55f1ba03530cd577fd7c82b47c1e23.pdf 

[ix] Soffritti, M., Belpoggi, F., Esposti, D.D., Lambertini, L. (2005). Aspartame induces lymphomas and leukaemias in rats. European Journal of Oncology, 10(2), 107-116. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225029050_Aspartame_induces_lymphomas_and_leukaemias_in_rats

[x] Soffritti, M., Belpoggi, F., Degli Esposti, D., Lambertinin, L., Tibaldi, E., Rigano, A. (2006). First experimental demonstration of the multipotential carcinogenic effects of aspartame administered in the feed to Sprague-Dawley rats. Environ Health Perspect, 114(3), 379-385. doi: 10.1289/ehp.8711

[xi] Romo-Romo, A., Aguilar-Salinas, C.A., Brito-Córdova, G.X., Gómez-Díaz, R.A., Almeda-Valdes, P. (2018). Sucralose decreases insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr, 108(3), 485-491. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy152

[xii] Abu-Taweel, G.M., Zyadah, M.A., Ajarem, J.S., Ahmad, M. (2014). Cognitive and biochemical effects of monosodium glutamate and aspartame, administered individually and in combination in male albino mice. Neurotoxicity and Teratology, 42 (2014), 60-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2014.02.001  

[xiii] Lindseth, G.N., Coolahan, S.E., Petros, T.V., Lindseth, P.D. (2014). Neurobehavioral effects of aspartame consumption. Res Nurs Health, 37(3), 185-193. doi: 10.1002/nur.21595

[xiv] Bian, X., Tu, P., Chi, L., Gao, B., Ru, H., Lu, K. (2017). Saccharin induced liver inflammation in mice by altering the gut microbiota and its metabolic functions. Food and chemical Toxicology, 107, 530-539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2017.04.045

[xv] Chi, L., Bian, X., Gao, B., Tu, P., Lai, Y., Ru, H., Lu, K. (2018). Effects of the artificial sweetener neotame on the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in mice. Molecules, 23(2), 367. doi: 10.3390/molecules23020367

[xvi] Schiffman, S.S., Nagle, H.T. (2019). Revisited: Assessing the in vivo data on low/no-calorie sweeteners and the gut microbiota. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 132, 110692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2019.110692

[xvii] Mandrioli, D., Kearns, C.E., Bero, L.A. (2016). Relationship between research outcomes and risk of bias, study sponsorship, and author financial conflicts of interest in reviews of the effects of artificially sweetened beverages on weight outcome: a systematic review. PLoS One, 11(9), e0162198. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0162198

[xviii] Walton, R.G. (1999). Survey of aspartame studies: correlation to outcome and funding sources. Retrieved from http://www.lightenyourtoxicload.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Dr-Walton-survey-of-aspartame-studies.pdf

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial colors" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial colors" for more information.

Please see "Flour bleaching agents & chemical dough conditioners" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information. 

• We have removed all known food products with a BE label/symbol. BE is another term for GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and a BE symbol indicates the product contains one or more GMO ingredients. We will continue to remove any products with the BE label should any more be found.
• The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) requires that manufacturers disclose when a product contains detectable GMO DNA. Products made with GMO crops that no longer contain detectable levels of GMOs (often due to processing) do not require NBFDS labeling (e.g., beet sugar and corn syrup). Due to this and other NBFDS loopholes, these labels are not a reliable way to determine if a food really contains any GMO-derived ingredients.
• The new NBFDS does not meet our own strict requirements regarding GMOs in the products we carry. Newly approved products must not be made from GMO crop sources regardless of whether there is detectable modified genetic material or not.  For instance, canola oil derived from GM canola would not be required to have a BE label under the NBFDS standards but would not be a product we would approve because it comes from a GMO source. For more information, please see “GMOs—Grandmothered & Limited.”
• For more information on the new BE Disclosure Requirements please click here.  

Please see "Flour bleaching agents & chemical dough conditioners" for more information. 

(calcium bromate, potassium bromide)

Please see "Flour Bleaching Agents & Chemical Dough Conditioners" for more information.

(calcium bromate, potassium bromide, sodium bromate)

Please see "Flour bleaching agents & chemical dough conditioners" for more information. 

Please see "Chemically modified fats" for more information. 

Please see "GMO hormones" for more information.

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information.

• Stimulants, such as isolated caffeine and other compounds with caffeine-like effects, used in some “energy” drinks and foods may pose significant health risks to some consumers.
• The most commonly reported adverse events related to consumption of products with added caffeine include nausea, increased heart rate, vomiting, racing heart, increased blood pressure, jitters, agitation, tremors, dizziness, chest pain, and numbness, with severe outcomes like heart arrhythmias, liver and kidney injury, psychotic symptoms, and even death reported.[i] [ii]
• There are no limits on the amount of caffeine that can be added to energy drinks, nor is there a requirement that energy drinks list the caffeine content. We strive for full transparency in the caffeinated products we carry so our customers know exactly what they are getting and can make informed decisions.
• We offer a wide range of products that support optimal energy through healthy and safe means, including products that naturally contain caffeine and have been consumed for hundreds of years such as coffee, tea, yerba mate, and chocolate and caffeine ingredients that contain naturally occurring caffeine are allowed.

[i] Reissig, C.J., Strain, E.C., Griffiths, R.R. (2009, Jan). Caffeinated energy drinks—a growing problem. Drug Alcohol Depend, 99(1-3), 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.08.001

[ii] Kole, J. Barnhill, A. (2013, Sept). Caffeine content labeling: a missed opportunity for promoting personal and public health. J Caffeine Res, 3(3), 108-113. doi: 10.1089/jcr.2013.0017

Please see "Flour bleaching agents & chemical dough conditioners" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information. 

Please see "Flour bleaching agents & chemical dough conditioners" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

• Caramel colors II, III, and IV are created by heat treating carbohydrates with a sulfite-containing compound, an ammonium-containing compound, or both.
• Caramel colors III and IV may be contaminated with 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), which has been shown in numerous animal studies to cause convulsions.[i]
• Caramel colors II, III, and IV may be contaminated with several known cancer-causing compounds such as 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), furan, and 2-methylimidazole.[ii] [iii] [iv]
• Because manufacturers don’t have to specify on the label which class of caramel coloring they use, we ensure that any manufacturer using caramel color is using class I, the only caramel color that does not contain added sulfite or ammonia and is the only caramel color produced in normal cooking processes.[v]

[i] European Food Safety Authority. (2011). Scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of caramel colours (E 150 a, b, c, d) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 9(3), 2004. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2004

[ii] https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/questions-answers-about-4-mei

[iii] n.a. 4-Methylimidazole Monograph. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Retrieved January 4, 2020 from https://monographs.iarc.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono101-015.pdf

[iv] Group, E. (n.d.). EWG's food scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/ingredients/16660CARAMELCOLOR

[v] European Food Safety Authority. (2011). Scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of caramel colours (E 150 a, b, c, d) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 9(3), 2004. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2004

• Carrageenan is commonly used as an emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent in processed foods. Although derived from natural sources (seaweed), it is highly processed and provides no nutritional value.
• Carrageenan may contribute to intestinal inflammation and negatively impact the intestinal epithelial barrier. [i] [ii] [iii] [iv] It is theorized that those with existing intestinal inflammation may be the most susceptible to the negative effects of carrageenan. [v]
• Proponents argue that carrageenan is only dangerous when it is degraded, but research suggests all carrageenan is degraded to some extent during human digestion and that both degraded and undegraded varieties have an inflammatory effect.[vi] [vii]
• In animal studies, carrageenan intake, at levels less than those expected to be consumed by the average American adult, rapidly induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.[viii] [ix]

[i] Bhattacharyya, S., Dudeja, P.K., Tobacman, J.K. ( 2008). Carrageenan-induced NFκB activation depends on distinct pathways mediated by reactive oxygen species and Hsp27 or by Bcl10. Biochem Biophys Aca, 1780(0), 973-982.  doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2008.03.019

[ii] Naimi, S., Viennois, E., Gewirtz, A.T., Chassaing, B. (2021). Direct impact of commonly used dietary emulsifiers on human gut microbiota. Microbiome, 9(1), 66 doi: 10.1186/s40168-020-00996-6

[iii] Fahoum, L., Moscovici, A., David, S., Shaoul, R., Rozen, G., Meyron-Hotlz, E.G., Lesmes, U. (2017). Digestive fate of dietary carrageenan: evidence of interference with digestive proteolysis and disruption of gut epithelial function. Mol Nutr Food Res, 61(3). DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201600545

[iv] Bhattacharyya, S., Shumard, T., Xie, H., Dodda, A., Varady, K.A., Leferman, L., Halline, A.G., Goldstein, J.L., Hanauer, S.B., Tobacman, J.K. (2017). A randomized trial of the effects of the non-carrageenan diet on ulcerative colitis disease activity. Nutr Healthy Aging, 4(2), 181-192. doi: 10.3233/NHA-170023

[v] Martino, J.V., Van Limbergen, J., Cahill, L.E. (2017). The role of carrageenan and carboxymethylcellulose in the development of intestinal inflammation. Front Pediatr. 5, 96. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2017.00096

[vi] Capron, I., Yvon, M., Muller, G. (1996). In-vitro gastric stability of carrageenan. Food Hydrocolloids, 10(2), 239-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0268-005X(96)80040-3

[vii] Tobacman, J.K. (2001). Review of harmful gastrointestinal effects of carrageenan in animal experiments. Environmental Health Perspectives, 109(10), 983-994. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.01109983

[viii] Bhattacharyya, S., O-Sullivan, I., Katyal, S., Unterman, T., Tobacman, J.K. (2011). Exposure to the common food additive carrageenan leads to glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and inhibition of insulin signaling in HepG2 cells and C57BL/6J mice. Diabetologia, 55, 194-203. DOI: 10.1007/s00125-011-2333-z

[ix] Bhattacharyya, S., Feferman, L., Unterman, T., Tobacman, J.K. (2015). Exposure to common food additive carrageenan alone leads to fasting hyperglycemia and in combination with high fat diet exacerbates glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia without effect on weight. J Diabetes Res, 2015, 513429. doi: 10.1155/2015/513429

More information coming soon.

FDA certified color color additives are generally identified by a letter prefix, the color, and then a number (e.g., "FD&C Yellow #5).

Please see "Artificial colors" for more information.

• Chemically modified fats are fats that have had their chemical structure altered in the lab to produce a novel fat that is not found in nature.
• Some chemically modified fats cause inflammation, negatively affect heart health, promote obesity and insulin resistance, and negatively affect brain function.[i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v] Others cause cardiac lesions and heart cell degeneration, impaired fertility and behavioral impairment in offspring of rats fed high amounts, while still others have been linked to the production of carcinogenic and environmentally dangerous by-products.[vi] [vii] [viii] [ix]
• Chemically modified fats are used by the food industry to increase the shelf life of products and to aid in the production of highly processed junk foods. They increase the manufacturer’s bottom line at the expense of consumer health.

[i] Shining the Spotlight on Trans Fats. (2018, July 12). Retrieved June 20, 2019, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/types-of-fat/transfats/

[ii] Afonso, M.S., Lavrado, M.S., Koike, M.K., Cintra, D.E., Ferreira, F.D., Nunes, V.S.,…Lottenberg, A.M. (2016). Dietary interesterified fat enriched with palmitic acid induces atherosclerosis by impairing macrophage cholesterol efflux and eliciting inflammation. J Nutr Biochem, 32, 91-100.  doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2016.01.005

[iii] Lavrado, M.S.F., Afonso, M.S., Cintra, D. E., Koike, M., Nunes, V.S., Demasi, M.,…Lottenberg, A.M. ( 2019). Interesterified fats induce deleterious effects on adipose tissue and liver in LDLr-LO mice. Nutrients, 11, 46. doi:10.3390/nu11020466

[iv] Ng, Y.T., Voon, P.T., Ng, T.K.W., Lee, V.K.M., Mat Sahri, M., Mohd Esa, N., …Ong, A.S.H. (2018). Interesterified palm olein (IEPalm) and interesterified stearic acid-rick fat blend (IEStear) have no adverse effects on insulin resistance: a randomized control trial. Nutrients, 10(8), pii. doi: 10.3390/nu10081112.

[v] D’avila L.F., Dias V.T., Vey, L.T., Milanesi, L.H., Roversi, K., Emanuelli, T., …Maurer, H.L. (2017). Toxicological aspects of interesterified fat: Brain damages in rats. Toxicology Letters, 276, 122-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.05.020

[vi] Bendig, P., Maier, L., Vetter, W. (2012). Brominated vegetable oil in soft drinks – an underrated source of human organobromine intake. Food Chemistry, 133(3), 678-682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.01.058 

[vii] Vorhees, C.V., Butcher, R.E., Wootten, V., Brunner, R.L. (1983). Behavioral and reproductive effects of chronic developmental exposure to brominated vegetable oil in rats. Teratology, 28, 309-318. https://doi.org/10.1002/tera.1420280302 

[viii] Rarokar NR, Menghani S, Kerzare D, Khedekar B. Progress in synthesis of monoglycerides for use in pharmaceuticals. J Exp Food Chem. 2017 July; 3(3). https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/progress-in-synthesis-of-monoglycerides-for-use-in-food-andpharmaceuticals-2472-0542-1000128.pdf

[ix] EFSA ANS Panel. Scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids (E471) as food additives. EFSA Journal. 2017;15(11):5045. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5045

• There are several moral, health, and economic concerns with cloned animals and most Americans are opposed to cloning animals.
• We do not know the long-term effects on human health from consuming cloned animals or products from cloned animals.
• Cloned animals give more power to large factory farm operations known to provide inhumane living conditions, which negatively impact the nutritional quality of meat and dairy products from these animals as well as negatively impact the environment.
• Cloned animals may also reduce genetic diversity. We value genetic diversity as a means for the plants and animals that supply our food to adapt to fluctuating climates and diseases, abilities essential for species to survive in an evolving world.

Please see "Chemically modified fats" for more information. 

• Cottonseed oil is a highly processed oil most commonly used in fast food and junk food.
• 92% of the cotton (the source of cottonseed oil) grown in the US is genetically modified.[i]
• Cottonseed naturally contains the toxic compound gossypol, which can cause permanent sterility in men and severe potassium deficiency leading to paralysis.
• To reduce gossypol, the oil must be heavily refined and is most commonly done using the chemical solvent hexane.[ii] Hexane is a hazardous air pollutant and dangerous for workers who handle it. [iii] [iv]   

[i] FDA. (2022, February 17). GMO crops, animal food, and beyond. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved July 12, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/gmo-crops-animal-food-and-beyond  

[ii] Saxena, D.K., Sharma, S.K., Sambi, S.S. (2011, Jan) Comparative extraction of cottonseed oil by n-hexane and ethanol. ARPN Journal Engineering and Applied Science. 6(1), 84-89. Retrieved from https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/COMPARATIVE-EXTRACTION-OF-COTTONSEED-OIL-BY-and-Saxena-Sharma/b1b68e6e7d7df822c28dff2e7c6f0ed96db7a547

[iii] Initial List of Hazardous Air Pollutants with Modifications. (2020, June 18). Retrieved December 09, 2020, from https://www.epa.gov/haps/initial-list-hazardous-air-pollutants-modifications

[iv] New Jersey Department of Health. (2012 June). Right to Know: Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet – n-Hexane. https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1340.pdf

More information coming soon.

Please see "Lab-grown milk protein" for more information.

Please see "Artificial flavors" for more information. 

Please see "Chemically modified fats" for more information. 

Please see "Polydimethylsiloxane" for more informaiton. 

Please see "Polydimethylsiloxane" for more information.

Please see "Polydimethylsiloxane" for more information. 

Please see "Polydimethylsiloxane" for more information. 

• Disodium guanylate is a flavor enhancer derived from guanosine monophosphate (GMP). It is used to make food taste much better than it really does.
• It is usually used in highly processed foods, often in conjunction with MSG, to make cheap-to-produce, unhealthy foods taste highly palatable.
• To ensure this unnecessary additive stays out of our stores, we even screen “natural flavor” ingredients for it.

• Disodium inosinate is a flavor enhancer derived from inosine monophosphate (IMP). It is used to make food taste much better than it really does.
• It is usually used in highly processed foods, often in conjunction with MSG, to make cheap-to-produce, unhealthy foods highly palatable.
• To ensure this unnecessary additive stays out of our stores, we even screen “natural flavor” ingredients for it.

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information.

Please see "Flour bleaching agents & chemical dough conditioners" for more information.

Please see "Apeel™" for more information. 

• Encapsulated acids, such as encapsulated citric acid or encapsulated lactic acid, are acids that have been coated with hydrogenated oils, usually hydrogenated cottonseed oil. They are used to impart tang to cured and dried meats.
• We do not carry products with hydrogenated oils. These chemically modified fats have had their chemical structure altered in a lab to produce a fat that is not found in nature.
• We do not carry products with cottonseed oil, which must be heavily refined in order to be suitable for human consumption, and nearly all of the cotton (the source of cottonseed oil) grown in the US is genetically modified.
• For more information please see “Chemically Modified Fats” and “Cottonseed Oil.”

If the caffeine is added to create a consistent amount in a product that is naturally caffeinated and does not raise the amount in the product beyond what naturally occurs, this is approved in limited products.

Please see "Caffeine or stimulant herbs added to boost caffeine content or have a stimulant effect" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information.

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information.

• Flour bleaching agents and chemical dough conditioners are industrial food production and processing ingredients that have been linked to a host of health issues, including cancer, endocrine disruption, asthma, and exacerbation of allergies.[i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v] [vi]
• These flour treatment agents improve the manufacturing process and profitability for manufacturers at the expense of consumers’ health.
• Not only are these chemicals dangerous, but they are not necessary to create an excellent final product, and we are pleased to carry numerous brands turning out quality baked goods without these chemicals.

[i] Heikes, D.L. (1992). Mass spectral identification and gas chromatographic determination of chlorinated bleaching adducts in flour-containing food items. J Agric Food Chem, 40, 498-491. Retrieved from: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/jf00015a026#

[ii] Saiz, A.I., Manrique, G.D., Fritz, R. (2001). Determination of benzoyl peroxide and benzoic acid levels by HPLC during wheat flour bleaching process [abstract]. J Agric Food Chem, 49(1), 98-102. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11305258

[iii] Ye, J., Wang, X.H., Sang, Y.X., Lui, Q., (2011). Assessment of the determination of azodicarbonamide and its decomposition product semicarbazide: investigation of variation in flour and flour products. J Agric Food Chem, 59(17), 9313-9318. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf201819x

[iv] Bromate in Drinking Water[Background document for the development of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality]. (2005). https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/bromate030406.pdf

[v] Giaccone, V., Cammilleri, G., Stefano, V. D., Pitonzo, R., Vella, A., Pulvirenti, A., . . . Macaluso, A. (2017). First report on the presence of Alloxan in bleached flour by LC-MS/MS method. Journal of Cereal Science,77, 120-125. doi:10.1016/j.jcs.2017.06.015

[vi] Cary, R., Mr, Dobson, S., Dr, & Ball, E., Mrs. (1999). Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 16: Azodicarbonamide(pp. 1-23, Rep.). Geneva: World Health Organization. doi:https://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/cicad/en/cicad16.pdf 

• Foie gras, or fatty liver, is most commonly produced by force-feeding ducks and geese a large amount of food (usually high-fat corn mash) through a tube.
• Ducks and geese raised for foie gras experience impaired liver function, swollen abdomens that make it difficult to walk, esophagus injuries, and increased mortality.[i]
• During force-feeding, the birds are kept in cage-like facilities that restrict movement and do not allow the birds to stand up, turn around, flap their wings or carry out other natural behaviors.[ii]
• The production and/or sale of foie gras is banned in numerous countries, the state of California, and several US cities.[iii]

[i] n.a. (n.d.). Scientists and experts on force-feeding for foie gras production and duck and goose welfare. Humane Society of the United States. Retrieved November 30, 2020 from https://www.humanesociety.org/sites/default/files/docs/hsus-expert-synopsis-force-feeding-duck-and-goose-welfare.pdf

[ii] Skippon, W. (2013). The animal health and welfare consequences of foie gras production. Can Vet J, 54(4), 403-404. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3595949/

[iii] Foie Gras Controversy. (n.d.) Wikipedia. Retrieved November 30, 2020 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foie_gras_controversy

• Confinement dairies are dairies where the emphasis is on production. The animals’ lives are not respected in confinement dairies. They do not graze on growing pasture and they live their unnaturally short lives enclosed in a barn or dirt yard.
• Confinement dairies are not environmentally sustainable, producing copious amounts of waste that take a significant toll on soil and air quality. Animals in confinement dairies are also fed a diet heavy in GMOs, which cause their own set of environmental problems.
• Raising dairy-producing animals in cramped, confined spaces and feeding them an unnatural diet makes the animals sick with mastitis, acidosis, laminitis, etc. These sick animals must then be treated with a host of pharmaceutical drugs, including antibiotics. As a consequence, antibiotic resistance is increasing worldwide and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls it one of the world’s most pressing health problems.[i]
• To offer our customers the best possible dairy and to create a market for farmers who eschew confinement dairy practices, we only sell fresh dairy products from animals that have grazed on pasture for a minimum of 120 days during the grazing season. Additionally, all-natural dairy products we offer come from animals that have not been fed GMO alfalfa and do not come from cloned animals. For more information please see our Dairy Standards webpage.

[i] https://www.cdc.gov/narms/faq.html

Please see "GMO hormones" for more information. 

• Consuming any sugar (including natural ones) in high quantities is problematic, but fructose poses a unique risk because the body metabolizes it differently than other types of sugar. Unlike other types of monosaccharides (simple sugars), fructose is metabolized by the liver where it is converted to fat (aka triglycerides), making fructose the most lipogenic (fat-producing) carbohydrate.
• Fructose elevates triglyceride levels in the blood and increases LDL cholesterol, it causes leptin resistance (causing you to feel less satiated and hungrier), likely contributes to the development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), and can even slow the metabolism of glucose. [i] [ii] [iii] [iv]
• Fructose does naturally occur in some sweet fruits and vegetables, but the amount these foods contain is very small and not usually of concern. The majority of fructose in the American diet comes from processed corn products, which are also most often genetically modified.

[i] Stanhope, K. L., Schwarz, J. M., Keim, N. L., Griffen, S. C., Bremer, A. A., Graham, J. L., Hatcher, B., Cox, C. L., Dyachenko, A., Zhang, W., McGahan, J. P., Seibert, A., Krauss, R. M., Chiu, S., Schaefer, E. J., Ai, M., Otokozawa, S., Nakajima, K., Nakano, T., Beysen, C., … Havel, P. J. (2009). Consuming fructose-sweetened, not glucose-sweetened, beverages increases visceral adiposity and lipids and decreases insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese humans. The Journal of clinical investigation, 119(5), 1322–1334. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI37385

[ii] Shapiro, A., Tümer, N., Gao, Y., Cheng, K. Y., & Scarpace, P. J. (2011). Prevention and reversal of diet-induced leptin resistance with a sugar-free diet despite high fat content. The British journal of nutrition, 106(3), 390–397. https://doi.org/10.1017/S000711451100033X

[iii] Baena, M., Sangüesa, G., Dávalos, A., Latasa, M. J., Sala-Vila, A., Sánchez, R. M., Roglans, N., Laguna, J. C., & Alegret, M. (2016). Fructose, but not glucose, impairs insulin signaling in the three major insulin-sensitive tissues. Scientific reports, 6, 26149. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep26149

[iv] Ter Horst, K. W., & Serlie, M. J. (2017). Fructose Consumption, Lipogenesis, and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Nutrients, 9(9), 981. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9090981

• Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, yet there is growing evidence that it is not safe for humans or the environment.[i] Chronic exposure to glyphosate may contribute to gastrointestinal problems, oxidative damage to organs, interfere with detoxification and other essential biological processes, be a neurotoxin, and disrupt the gut microbiome.[ii] [iii] [iv]
• Glyphosate also contributes to the creation of superweeds (weeds that have built up a resistance to herbicides and are produced by the accidental crossing of genetically engineered crops and wild plants), often resulting in more and more intensive herbicide use and the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. [v]    
• In addition to being heavily sprayed on genetically modified crops, like corn and soy, glyphosate is often applied towards the end of the growing season on crops like legumes, oats, and wheat as a desiccant to speed drying before harvest. This leads to residues remaining on the finished food even if there was no glyphosate applied during the growing season.
• To be fully transparent with customers and ensure they are not buying products that they would otherwise assume do not contain glyphosate, we have created our Glyphosate Standard.
  • This Standard is applied to any dry grocery, dairy, frozen, bulk, or pet food product in which oats, legumes, or wheat are the first, second, or third ingredient or make up over 25% of the total weight of the product.
  • This Standard requires manufacturers who use ingredients at high-risk of containing glyphosate residues to either be Certified Organic or supply a third-party glyphosate-free certification and a non-GMO certification/letter of guarantee. 

[i] Maggi, F., la Cecilia, D., Tang, F.H.M., McBratney, A. (2020). The global environmental hazard of glyphosate use. Science of the Total Environment, 717, 137167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137167

[ii] Samsel A, Seneff S. “Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases.” Entropy 2013 15(4):1416-1463. http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/15/4/1416

[iii] Ya-xing Gui, et. al. “Glyphosate induced cell death through apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms.” http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0892036212000438

[iv] Swanson, N.L., Leu, A., Abrahamson, J., Wallet, B. (2014). Genetically engineered crops, glyphosate and the deterioration of health in the United States of America. J Organic Systems, 9(2), 6-37. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283462716_Genetically_engineered_crops_glyphosate
_and_the_deterioration_of_health_in_the_United_States_of_America 

[v] Kurenbach, B., Marjoshi, D., Amábile-Cuevas, C. F., Ferguson, G. C., Godsoe, W., Gibson, P., & Heinemann, J. A. (2015). Sublethal exposure to commercial formulations of the herbicides dicamba, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and glyphosate cause changes in antibiotic susceptibility in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. mBio, 6(2), e00009-15. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00009-15

• Despite significant public opposition and uncertainty about the safety of GM animals, the FDA approved GM AquAdvantage® salmon for sale in the United States.
• AquAdvantage salmon are genetically modified to produce growth hormone continually, causing the fish to grow much larger and faster than conventionally-raised farmed salmon.
• These “frankenfish” pose a great risk to the environment and wild fish populations, should they escape into the wild. Although the producer of GM salmon has said they are taking steps to prevent cross-breeding with wild fish, their techniques are not 100% effective and the fish are capable of breeding in the wild with brown trout, a fish commonly found in the waters around the AquAdvantage salmon hatchery.[i]
• Because we believe food should be as natural as possible and should have a long history of use or be proven safe, we will never carry AquAdvantage salmon or any other animal that has been genetically modified.

[i] Oke KB, Westley PAH, Moreau DRT, Fleming IA. Hybridization between genetically modified Atlantic salmon and wild brown trout reveals novel ecological interactions. Proc R Soc B. 2013 280 20131047.

More information coming soon. 

• With the highest quality standards for dairy in the industry, we never allow added hormones of any sort in any of our fresh dairy products.
• Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), which also goes by the name recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), is a genetically modified hormone frequently given to dairy-producing animals to increase milk production. The FDA does not require a manufacturer to disclose whether they use rBGH/rBST.
• The safety of consuming milk and dairy products from animals given GMO hormones has not been established, and questions remain about the potential to increase the risk of certain cancers.[i] [ii] [iii] [iv]
• GMO hormones have many negative effects on the health of the cows they are given to, including increased mastitis (udder infections), decreased fertility, increased lameness, and reduced lifespan.[v]  

[i] Carlson, C. (2020, Feb 27). rBGH decoded: what you need to know about hormones in dairy. Organic Valley Rootstock blog. Retrieved December 1, 2020 from https://www.organicvalley.coop/blog/rBGH-decoded-what-is-bovine-growth-hormone/#:~:text=rBGH%20stands%20for%20recombinant%20bovine,naturally%20produce%20in%20their%20bodies.

[ii] Welsh, J., Braun, H., Brown, N., Um, C., Ehret, K., Figueroa, J., & Boyd Barr, D. (2019). Production-related contaminants (pesticides, antibiotics and hormones) in organic and conventionally produced milk samples sold in the USA. Public Health Nutrition, 22(16), 2972-2980. doi:10.1017/S136898001900106X

[iii] Philipps, A. F., Rao, R., Anderson, G. G., McCracken, D. M., Lake, M., & Koldovsky, O. (1995). Fate of insulin-like growth factors I and II administered orogastrically to suckling rats. Pediatric research, 37(5), 586–592. https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199505000-00005

[iv] Prosser, C.G., Fleet, I.R., Corps, A.N. (1989). Increased secretion of insulin-like growth factor I into milk cows treated with recombinantly derived bovine growth hormone. J Dairy Res, 45(1), 17-26. DOI: 10.1017/s0022029900026170

[v] Dohoo, I.R., DesCôteaux, L., Leslie, K., Fredeen, A., Shewfelt; W., Preston, A., Dowling, P. (2003). A meta-analysis review of the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin. 2. Effects on animal health, reproductive performance; and culling. Can J Vet Res, 67(4), 252-264. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC280709/

• Most of the stevia glycosides produced as commercial sweeteners (reb M, reb D, and sometimes reb A) are made using genetically modified organisms (GMO).
• Some stevia glycosides use enzymes harvested from genetically modified micro-organisms to extract the glycosides from the stevia leaf.[i] 
• Some stevia glycosides don’t even use the stevia leaf for extraction and instead rely on a genetically modified yeast fed genetically modified food (usually from corn) to produce the glycosides.[ii]

[i] What do we mean by Non-GMO? (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://purevia.com/Nature/Non-GMO.aspx

[ii] Questions About EverSweet™ Stevia Sweetener. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://www.cargill.com/food-beverage/na/eversweet-faqs

• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) result from a laboratory process of taking genes from one species and forcing them into the DNA of another to obtain a desired trait or characteristic. It is not the same as traditional crossbreeding or grafting and results in an organism that would never occur naturally.
• There are many problems with GMOs, including potential side effects, like the transfer of genetic material from GMOs to the DNA of human intestinal bacteria.^[i] Another major problem is that commercial genetically modified crops are generally designed to be either herbicide tolerant or produce their own pesticides and this has led to a sharp increase in the use of chemicals in farming, which then end up in our soil, waterways, food, and bodies.
• Since 2013, in order for new food products to be approved, we have required that any products that contain ingredients at high risk of being GMO be organic (which always means non-GMO), third-party certified non-GMO, or the manufacturer must be able to confirm that they are not using GMO ingredients in their product.
• We have been working with our vendors to replace GMO ingredients with comparable non-GMO substitutes in products that were approved before 2013 and estimate that 90–95% of our products are free from GMOs.
• For more information on GMOs and Natural Grocers’ stance click here.   

[i] Netherwood et al, “Assessing the survival of transgenic plant DNA in the human gastrointestinal tract,” Nature Biotechnology 22 (2004): 2.

• A variety of growth promoting drugs are given to swine, beef, and turkey to increase weight before slaughter, thus increasing a manufacturer’s bottom line.
• Ractopamine is one such drug that belongs to a class of growth promoters know as beta-andrenergic agonists (BAAs). These drugs have been shown to increase heart rate, body temperature, foot lesions, and aggression and anxiety-like behaviors in the animals they are administered to.[i] [ii] [iii]
• Growth promotants also pose a risk to human health. There are numerous documented cases of human poisoning from consuming meat tainted with growth promotants. [iv] [v]

[i] Loneragan, G.H., Thomson, D.U., Scott, H.M. (2014). Increased mortality in groups of cattle administered the β-adrenergic agonists ractopamine hydrochloride and zilpaterol hydrochloride. PLoS ONE, 9(3), e91177. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0091177

[ii] Poletto, R., Cheng, H.W., Meisel, R.L., Garner, J.P., Richert, B.T., Marchant-Forde, J.N. (2010). Aggressiveness and brain aminie concentration in dominant and subordinate finishing pigs fed the β-adrenoreceptor agonist ractopamine. J Anim Sci, 88, 3107-3120. doi: 10.2527/jas.2009-1876

[iii] Poletto, R., Rostagno, M.H., Richert, B.T., Marchant-Forde, J.N. (2008). Effects of a “step-up” ractopamine feeding program, sex, and social rank on growth performance, hoof lesions, and Enterobacteriaceae shedding in finishing pigs. J Anim Sci, 87(1), 304-313. DOI: 10.2527/jas.2008-1188

[iv] Mitchell, G.A., Dunnavan, G. (1998). Illegal use of β-adrenergic agonists in the United States. J Animal Sci, 76(1), 208-211.  https://doi.org/10.2527/1998.761208x

[v] Brambilla, G., Cenci, T., Franconi, F., Galarini, R., Macrì, A., Rondoni, F., …Loizzo, A. (2000). Clinical and pharmacological profile in a clenbuterol epidemic poisoning of contaminated beef meat in Italy. Toxicol Lett, 114(1-3), 47-53. DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4274(99)00270-2

Please see "Artificial fats" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives"' for more information.

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information.

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information.

• The human body metabolizes the simple sugar fructose differently than it does the simple sugar glucose. Fructose is processed mainly by the liver, where it leads to “de novo lipogenesis”, or new fat formation, and increased circulating triglycerides.[i] 
• Fructose consumption does not suppress the hunger hormone ghrelin the way other sugars do, which can lead to increased caloric intake and ultimately weight gain and obesity.[ii]
• High fructose corn syrup and ingredients made from high fructose corn syrup can be contaminated with mercury.[iii] [iv]
• High fructose corn syrup is made from corn and 92% of all the corn planted in the United States is genetically modified.[v]

[i] Bray, G.A. (2010). Fructose: pure, white, and deadly? Fructose, by any other name, is a health hazard. J Diabetes Sci Technol, 4(4), 1003-1007. doi: 10.1177/193229681000400432

[ii] Teff, S.L., Elliott, S.S., Tschöp, M., Kieffer, T.J., Rader, D., Heiman, M., …Havel, P.J. (2004). Dietary fructose reduces circulating insulin and leptin, attenuates post prandial suppression of ghrelin, and increases triglycerides in women. J Clin Endocrin & Metab, 89(6), 2963-2972. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2003-031855

[iii] Dufault, R., LeBlanc, B., Schnoll, R., Cornett, C. Schweitzer, L. Wallinga, D. …Lukiw, W.J. (2009). Mercury from chlor-alkalik plants: measured concentrations in food products sugar. Environ Health, 8, 2. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-8-2

[iv] Wallinga, D. Sorensen, J., Mottle, P., Yablon, B. (2009). Not so sweet: missing mercury and high fructose corn syrup. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. Retrieved November 9, 2020 from https://www.iatp.org/sites/default/files/421_2_105026.pdf

[v] Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (n.d.). GMO crops, animal food, and beyond. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/gmo-crops-animal-food-and-beyond.

Please see "Chemically modified fats" for more information. 

Please see "Soy leghemoglobin" for more information. 

• Iron oxide is used as a color additive in processed foods.
• When iron comes in contact with water and oxygen, it oxidizes. Rust is a type of iron oxide.[i]
• Iron oxide nanoparticles have been found in significant amounts in commercial iron oxide food pigments. Iron oxide nanoparticles pose a threat to the workers who handle iron oxide and the consumers who consume it. Iron oxide nanoparticles have been shown to accumulate in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and brains of animals and nanoparticles of many varieties are known to induce inflammation.[ii] [iii] [iv] 

[i] Oxidation and reduction - Redox, rusting and iron - (CCEA) - GCSE Chemistry (Single Science) Revision - CCEA - BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2020, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z7rswty/revision/1

[ii] Voss, L., Hiao, I-L. Ebisch, M., Vidmar, J., Drejack, N., Böhmert, L. …Sieg, H. (2020). The presence of iron oxide nanoparticles in the food pigment E172. Food Chem, 327, 127000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127000

[iii] Sadeghi, L., Babadi,V.Y., Espanani, H.R. (2015). Toxic effects of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the liver and lung tissue. Bratisl Lek Listy, 116(6), 373-378. DOI: 10.4149/bll_2015_071

[iv] Seaton, A., Tran. L., Aitken, R., Donaldson, K. (2010). Nanoparticles, human health hazard and regulation. J R Soc Interface, 7(suppl 1), s119-s129. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2009.0252.focus

• Irradiated foods are exposed to radioactivity to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination and to prolong the shelf life.
• The radioactive rays can cause “off” flavors and texture; reduce vitamins, minerals, and enzymes; and create chemical changes in food.
• Although individual foods that have been irradiated are required to be labelled with the Radura symbol, products containing irradiated ingredients don’t have to be labeled, nor does food served in restaurants, hospitals, or cafeterias. You’ll never have to wonder if a food you buy in our stores has been irradiated or contains ingredients that were irradiated.

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information.

• Lab-grown meat is highly processed and produced through intensive means that require the use of GMOs and commodity grains (just like the ones fed to animals raised in conventional animal feed operations, aka CAFOs), which further locks us into the current unsustainable food production paradigm.
• There are many unknowns about the health effects of lab-grown meat, and it is not even clear yet whether lab-grown meat is more environmentally friendly than that raised in CAFOs.
• There is already a sustainable, humane, and chemical-free way to raise animals for meat. Regenerative agriculture puts animals back on the land and fits into a bigger ecological picture to actually help improve the environment while respecting the lives of the animals. Conventionally raised meat can’t hold a candle to regeneratively raised meat and neither can lab-grown meats.

• Lab-grown milk protein is highly processed and a far cry from anything natural. It begins with genetically modifying yeast (or bacteria, fungi, etc.) to produce milk proteins that will later be filtered, dried, powdered, and mixed with a host of different ingredients to produce various end products. 
• There are many unknowns about the health effects of lab-grown milk protein and its environmental impact is not yet clear. 
• There is already a sustainable, humane, and chemical-free way to raise animals for milk and dairy products. Regenerative agriculture puts animals back on the land and fits into a bigger ecological picture to actually help improve the environment while respecting the lives of the animals. Dairy from conventionally raised animals can’t hold a candle to regeneratively raised dairy and neither can milk protein grown in a lab.

• Lead plays no role in human health, and the World Health Organization says there are no known safe blood levels.
• In adults, lead exposure negatively affects cardiovascular health, decreases kidney function, and impairs reproduction. The effects of lead on children are even more severe, impairing development of their brains and nervous systems.[i]
• Luckily, in 1995 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of all lead-soldered cans, including imported products, so you’ll never find lead soldered cans on our shelves, or any shelves in the United States.[ii]

[i] Environmental Protection Agency. (2018, August 20). Learn about Lead. Retrieved April 15, 2019, from https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead

[ii] Lead-Soldered Food Cans. (1995, June 27). Retrieved April 15, 2019, from https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1995/06/27/95-15593/lead-soldered-food-cans

• Commonly known as “pink slime”, LFTB is a highly processed meat-byproduct made from beef trimmings and used as filler and to reduce the fat content of ground beef.
• In the United States its presence is not required to be labeled, and in fact the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service recently declared it can be labeled as “ground beef”, leaving consumers no way to know if they are buying and eating it.[i]
• Ammonium hydroxide is often used as an antimicrobial in the production of LFTB. It is a synthetic substance manufactured from natural gas that is a harsh irritant and is toxic to mammals when inhaled, ingested, or applied to the skin.[ii] [iii] It is also toxic to aquatic animals.[iv]
• We believe consumers have a right to know what is in their food and we only sell the highest quality animal products (including beef) that respects the lives of the animals; supports, rather than degrades, the environment; fosters human health; and ensures economic vitality.  

[i] Fassler, J. (2019, February 7). ABC News called it "Pink slime." now, USDA says it can be labeled "ground beef.". The Counter. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from https://thecounter.org/bpi-pink-slime-ground-beef-usda-reclassifed/  

[ii] NOSB Handling Subcommittee. (2014, Nov 18). Petitioned material proposal – ammonium hydroxide. Retrieved from https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Ammonium%20Hydroxide%20Proposal%20Nov%202014.pdf 

[iii] Agency for toxic substances and disease registry. 2004, Sept.) Toxicological profile for ammonia. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxProfiles/ToxProfiles.aspx?id=11&tid=2

[iv] US Environmental Protection Agency. (2013 Apr). Aquatic life ambient water quality criteria for ammonium – freshwater. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/wqc/aquatic-life-criteria-ammonia

Please see "Glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited" for more information. 

Please see "Glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited" for more information.

(aka polydextrose and STA-LITE®)

Please see "Synthetic fibers" for more information. 

Please see "Talc (magnesium silicate)" for more information. 

More information coming soon. 

Please see "Polydimethylsiloxane" for more information. 

• Although it starts from a naturally occurring substance, cellulose, a type of insoluble fiber found in plants, methylcellulose is a highly processed, synthetic ingredient.
• Methyl chloride is used in the production of methylcellulose. Methyl chloride is toxic to workers who handle it and contributes to ozone depletion.[i] [ii] 
• We believe food should be as minimally processed as possible and should be safe for not only those who consume it but also those who make it and the environment.

[i] National Center for Biotechnology Information (2023). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 6327, Chloromethane. Retrieved March 7, 2023 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Chloromethane.

[ii] Li, S., Park, M.K., Jo, C.O, Park, S. (2017). Emission estimates of methyl chloride from industrial sources in China based on high frequency atmospheric observations. J Atmospheric Chem, 74, 227-243.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-016-9354-4

• Methylene chloride is a chemical that is often used to decaffeinate coffee and tea. Outside of this use, it is also a solvent in paint removers and an industrial degreasing agent.
• The American Cancer Society and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) consider it to be “probably carcinogenic to humans”.[i] [ii]
• There are safe, chemical-free ways to decaffeinate beverages.

[i] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/general-info/known-and-probable-human-carcinogens.html

[ii] IARC Working Group. (2017). Some chemicals used as solvents and in polymer manufacture. IARC Monographs on the evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, vol 110. Lyons, France: World Health Organization. https://publications.iarc.fr/547

• Mineral oil is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.
• The main concerns surrounding mineral oil use with food are that certain fractions may be carcinogenic and some factions may accumulate in the tissues of the body.[i]
• Mineral oil is not readily biodegradable and is a significant environmental toxin to plant life, animal life, and ground water when spilled or disposed of.[ii]

[i] Pirow, R., Blume, A., Hellwig, N., Herzler, M., Huhse, B. Hutzler, C., …Luch, A. (2019). Mineral oil in food, cosmetic products, and in producs regulated by other legislations. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 49(9), 742-789. DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2019.1694862

[ii] Aluyor, E.O., Ori-jesu, M. (2009, March). Biodegradation of mineral oils—a review. African Journal of Biotechnology, 8(6), 915-920. Retrieved November 23, 2020 from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/view/59986

• Modified food starches include, but are not limited to, modified corn starch, modified tapioca starch, modified potato starch, and modified wheat starch. They may be listed on ingredient panels as one of these specific starches or may be listed simply as modified food starch.
• Modified food starches are made by physically, enzymatically, or chemically altering the starch. Each of these processing methods and treatments modifies the starch in specific ways to give it properties that food manufacturers then use to thicken, stabilize, and emulsify packaged foods.
• Of the numerous chemicals that may be used to modify food starches, some are classified as likely human carcinogens, others are dangerous for the humans who handle them, and still others pose environmental threats.[i] [ii] [iii] [iv] [v] Unfortunately, manufacturers are not required to disclose how the modified food starch was processed.
• Modified food starches undergo extensive processing, sometimes with toxic chemicals, and there are multiple comparable products made with unmodified food starches that taste as good and meet the needs of consumers.

[i] Epichlorohydrin. (2018, November 29). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epichlorohydrin

[ii] CDC - NIOSH Publications and Products - Carcinogenic Effects of Exposure to Propylene Oxide (89-111). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/89-111/default.html

[iii] Propylene oxide. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Propylene_oxide#section=3D-Co…

[iv] Acetic anhydride. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/acetic_anhydride

V “Vinyl Acetate.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/vinyl_acetate.

Please see "Chemically modified fats" for more information. 

• MSG is an artificial flavor enhancer that is made up of glutamic acid and sodium. Glutamate is an excitotoxin, which stimulates your brain into thinking what you are eating tastes better than it does. It is often used in highly processed junk food.
• It is estimated that one-quarter of the world’s population reacts adversely to MSG. Some possible reactions include headaches, migraines, stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, irritable bowel, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, anxiety or panic attacks, heart palpitations, partial paralysis, “heart attack-like symptoms,” balance difficulties, mental confusion, mood swings, skin rashes, runny nose, bags under the eyes, flushing, and mouth lesions.
• There are some ingredients that may contain MSG by the fact that it can be created during the manufacturing process. Some example ingredients include hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, kombu extract, broth, bouillon, stock, flavoring, natural flavoring, natural flavors, and natural chicken flavoring. Therefore, those who are particularly sensitive to MSG may want to avoid these ingredients as well.

• We do not allow any animal-based product from an animal who has been administered any vaccine made with genetic engineering, including mRNA vaccines. Presently, we don’t feel that there is enough research on the long-term effects of genetically engineered vaccines in livestock to know how or if they may impact the food supply or if there are any potential side effects.

See "Trehalose" for more information.

Natamycin is approved for use in organic agriculture and could be used by some of our produce vendors/growers. 

See "Antibiotic and antifungal food preservatives" for more information.

• Even though the FDA has not defined the term “natural,” it has set standards for what qualifies for a natural flavoring compound—it must be extracted from a natural source (e.g., plant material, essence, or extractive).[1]
• Unfortunately, these naturally sourced, natural flavor compounds make up only a fraction of all the ingredients in natural flavors, and the FDA allows a whole host of unnatural ingredients to be used as adjuvants, preservatives, processing aids, flavor enhancers, and more in natural flavors.
• The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) does regulate all the ingredients, not just the flavor compounds, that go into organic natural flavors, and these standards align with our own strict ingredient standards. (The NOSB makes recommendations that are then implemented into the National Organics Program (NOP) of the United States Department of Agriculture, aka the USDA).
• As of April 2019, to ensure that products on our shelves that contain natural flavors aren’t sneaking prohibited ingredients in with them, we no longer accept new food products with natural flavors that do not meet the standards established by the NOSB. This means that any product that uses natural flavors but isn’t certified organic must submit third-party documentation showing that none of their sub-ingredients violate the NOSB standards or our Things We Won’t Carry & Why standards. 
• Manufacturers of products that contain natural flavors and were approved prior to April 2019 have been strongly encouraged to either reformulate to change any natural flavor ingredients to organic natural flavors or simply to disclose the full list of sub-ingredients of the natural flavors on the ingredient panel. These products will be allowed to remain on our shelves for now, while we give manufacturers time to make adjustments.

[1] FDA Code of Federal Regulations: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=501.22

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

(aka Newtame®)

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

• Synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides used to treat the soil and plants in conventional farming are known to cause human health problems and environmental issues.[i]
• Large scale pesticide and herbicide spraying creates enormous environmental problems partly because only a small percentage of it actually hits its target (the pests, soil, and plants), while the rest ends up in groundwater, waterways, the air, and ultimately, humans and other living things.
• In one study, 94% of children and adults had pesticide metabolites in their bodies.[ii] Pesticide exposure has been linked to cancer, asthma, compromised immunity, neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s disease), reproductive damage and birth defects.[iii] [iv] [v] [vi]
• Pesticide residues soak into the soil, disrupting delicate soil ecosystems. Conversely, healthy soil, supported by organic farming practices, increases crop growth, health and yield, and also sequesters carbon dioxide from the air.[vii]  
• Food grown with synthetic chemicals is lower in nutrients than organically grown food.[viii]
• Organic farming replenishes the soil and manages pests in ways that are good for us and for the planet. Additionally, certified organic foods cannot be genetically engineered, irradiated, or grown with synthetic materials.[ix] ^[x]

[i] Nicolopoulou-Stamati, P., Maipas, S., Kotmpasi, C., Stamatis, P., Hens, L. (2016). Chemical pesticides and human health: the urgent need for a new concept in agriculture. Front Public Health, 4, 148. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00148

[ii] Barr D., et al “Concentrations of Dialkyl Phosphate Metabolites of Organophosphorus Pesticides in the U.S. Population,” Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 112, 2004

[iii] http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/167726-overview

[iv] http://www.panna.org/docsTrespass/ChemTresMain(screen).pdf

[v] Harvard School of Public Health. "Pesticides Exposure Associated With Parkinson's Disease." ScienceDaily 26 June 2006. 4 February 2010 <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2006/06/060626091842.htm>

[vi] BioMed Central/BMC Neurology. "Link Between Pesticides And Parkinson's Strengthened With Family Study." ScienceDaily 29 March 2008. 4 February 2010 <http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2008/03/080328070136.htm>

[vii] Tim J. LaSalle and Paul Hepperly, “Regenerative Organic Farming: A Solution to Global Warming,” Rodale Institute, 2008

[viii] “Nutritional Quality of Organic Versus Conventional Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains,” by Virginia Worthington, published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2001 (pp. 161-173)

[ix] Lipson, Elaine.. Organics: Are they Really Better? Delicious.1997.

[x] Poncavage, Joanna & Long Cheryl. What is Organic? Organic Gardening; 1998.

Please see "Glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial fats" for more information. 

Please see "Apeel™" for more information. 

methyl, propyl, butyl, etc. 

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information. 

(aka trans fats)

Please see "Chemically modified fats" for more information. 

Please see "Glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited" for more information. 

Please see "Glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited" for more information. 

• More commonly known as petroleum jelly, petrolatum is a byproduct of petroleum processing and may be added to certain foods, like as a polishing agent in some confections (chocolates, marshmallows, etc.) and as a wax for fresh fruit and vegetables.[i]
• Some petrolatum is contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are a family of compounds that cause reproductive difficulty and birth defects and are harmful to the skin, body fluids, and immune system in animal studies. ^[ii]
• Petroleum is a non-renewable resource and its refining is a major contributor to air, water, and soil pollution.[iii]

[i] 21CFR184.1666 Retrieved from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=184.1666

[ii]n.a. (2014, Aug 28). ToxFAQs™ for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Retrieved from: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=121&toxid=25#:~:text=Some%20PAH%20particles%20can%20readily,not%20dissolve%20easily%20in%20water.

[iii] n.a. (2003, June). Environmental Update #12: Environmental Impact of the Petroleum Industry. Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest Outreach Program. Retrieved February 26, 2024 from https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.files/fileID/14522

• Even though phosphorus is a naturally occurring nutrient involved in human health, most Americans get far too much due to the ubiquitous use of phosphoric acid and phosphate additives in processed foods and drinks.[i]
• The phosphorus content of processed foods is much higher than that of natural foods and the inorganic phosphorus used as a food additive is much more readily absorbed than the organic phosphorus found in natural foods.[ii]
• High-phosphorus diets have been associated with increased risk of arterial calcification and cardiovascular disease, increased bone loss, and increased mortality in otherwise healthy adults.[iii] [iv] [v] [vi] 
• Phosphate additives and phosphoric acid are used to enhance flavor and moistness in a variety of processed foods and beverages but supply no nutritional value. They are unnecessary and dangerous additives in the food supply. 

[i] Calvo, M.S., Uribarri, J. (2013). Public health impact of dietary phosphorus excess on bone and cardiovascular health in the general population. Am J Clin Nutr, 98(1), 6-15. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.053934

[ii] Ritz, E., Hahn, K., Ketteler, M., Kuhlmann, M.K., Mann, J. (2012). Phosphate additives in food—a health risk. Dtsch Arztebl Int, 109(4), 49-55.  doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2012.0049

[iii] Foley, R.N., Collins, A.J., Herzog, C. A., Ishani, A., Kalra, P.A. (2009). Serum phosphorus levels associated with coronary atherosclerosis in young adults. J Am Soc Nephrol, 20(2),, 397-404. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2008020141

[iv] Dhingra, R., Sullivan, L.M., Fox, C.S., Wang, T.J., D’Agostino Sr, R.B., Gaziano, J.M., Vasan, R.S. (2007). Arch Intern Med, 167(9), 879-885. doi:10.1001/archinte.167.9.879

[v] Calvo, M.S., Uribarri, J. (2013). Public health impact of dietary phosphorus excess on bone and cardiovascular health in the general population. Am J Clin Nutr, 98(1), 6-15. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.053934

[vi] Chang, A., R., Lazo, M., Appel, L.J., Gutiérrez, O.M., Grams, M.E. (2014). High dietary phosphorus intake is associated with all-cause mortality: results from NHANES III. Am J Clin Nutr. 99(2), 320-327. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Feb; 99(2): 320–327. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.073148

Natamycin is approved for use in organic agriculture and could be used by some of our produce vendors/growers.

Please see "Antibiotic and antifungal food preservatives" for more information. 

(brand names such as STA-LITE®, Litesse®) 

Please see "Synthetic fibers" for more information. 

• Polydimethylsiloxane is a highly processed, man-made polymer.
• It is approved for use in foods and is found in some juices, cooking sprays, and cooking oils. It is also used in lubricants, hydraulic fluids, caulks, sealants, silly putty, and was formerly a popular filler for breast implants.
• We think food should be as natural as possible and that industrial chemicals like polydimethylsiloxane have no place in our food.

More information coming soon. 

Please see "Sulfites" for more information. 

Please see "Sulfites" for more information. 

• Propylene glycol does not occur in nature but is used in food for many purposes.[i] It is produced from propylene, a by-product of petroleum refining.[ii]  
• It may cause problems in certain allergic individuals and infants, people with renal or liver impairment, and some other sensitive or ill people may be at an increased risk of adverse effects from propylene glycol. [iii] [iv] [v] [vi]
• We believe food should be free from synthetic chemicals and safe for everyone to enjoy.

[i] 21CFR184.1666 Retrieved from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=184.1666

[ii] Propylene. Chemical Safety Facts. (2022, October 14). https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/chemicals/propylene/

[iii] Lowther, A., McCormick, T., & Nedorost, S. (2008). Systemic contact dermatitis from propylene glycol. Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug, 19(2), 105–108.

[iv] Hannuksela, M., & Förström, L. (1978). Reactions to peroral propylene glycol. Contact dermatitis, 4(1), 41–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.1978.tb03719.x

[v] De Cock, R.F.W., Allegaert, K., Vanhaesebrouck, S., de Hoon, J., Verbesselt, R., Danhof, M., Knibbe, C.A.J. (2014). Low but inducible contribution f renal elimination to clearance of propylene glycol in preterm and term neonates. Ther Drug Monit, 36(3), 278-287. DOI: 10.1097/FTD.0000000000000003

[vi] Arroliga, A.C., Shehab, N., McCarthy, K., Gonzales, J.P. (2004). Relationship of continuous infusion lorazepam to serum propylene glycol concentration in critically ill adults. Crit Care Med, 32(8), 1709-1714. DOI: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000134831.40466.39

Visit our Bulk Standards page for more information.

More information coming soon. 

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

Please see "Sulfites" for more information. 

Please see "Sulfites" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

Please see "Sulfites" for more information. 

• In the United States, iodine is commonly added to salt in the form of potassium iodide, which is unstable and can vaporize out of the salt. Sodium thiosulfate is added to stabilize the potassium iodide and prevent it from vaporizing.[i]
• Sodium thiosulfate can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory system.[ii] [iii]
• Dextrose is a simple sugar that can also be used to stabilize potassium iodide in salt and is a safer, more natural ingredient.

[i] Iodization of salt for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders. World Health Organization. Retrieved December 15, 2020 from https://www.who.int/elena/titles/guidance_summaries/salt_iodization/en/ 

[ii] Sodium thiosulfate. EWG. (n.d.). Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/5699-SODIUMTHIOSULFATE/

[iii] National Center for Biotechnology Information (2020). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 24477, Sodium thiosulfate. Retrieved December 15, 2020 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sodium-thiosulfate.

Please see "Phosphates" for more information. 

• The extraction of edible oils from a raw material (e.g., soybeans, peanuts, or corn) is often accomplished with a chemical solvent, most commonly hexane. After extraction, companies remove the solvent, although small amounts may still remain in the oil.
• Hexane is obtained by refining petroleum.
• Hexane released during oil extraction and recovery can react with other pollutants in the atmosphere and produce ozone and photochemical oxidants, contributing to air pollution.[i] Hexane is designated as a hazardous air pollutant by the EPA.[ii]
• Workers exposed to higher levels of hexane in the air may experience nerve damage, reproductive damage and in extreme instances coma and death.[iii]
• Oils can be safely extracted mechanically (aka, cold pressed or expeller pressed) and these are the only standalone oils you’ll find at Natural Grocers.

[i] Hanmoungjai, P., Pyle, L., Niranjan, K. (2000). Extraction of rice bran oil using aqueous media. J Chem Technol Biotechnol, 75, 348-352. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4660(200005)75:5%3C348::AID-JCTB233%3E3.0.CO;2-P

[ii] Initial List of Hazardous Air Pollutants with Modifications. (2020, June 18). Retrieved December 09, 2020, from https://www.epa.gov/haps/initial-list-hazardous-air-pollutants-modifications

[iii] New Jersey Department of Health. (2012 June). Right to Know: Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet – n-Hexane. https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1340.pdf

• Soy leghemoglobin is a novel protein from a genetically modified yeast. It is FDA approved as a color additive and is used to give some beef analogue products a meaty taste and red color when uncooked.[i]
• Soy leghemoglobin has no proven track record of human consumption and has had very little testing to prove its safety for long-term use.[ii] [iii] [iv]
• We whole-heartedly support efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our food and improve animal welfare, but any new product introduced to meet this end must also be proven safe and free of harmful ingredients, including genetically modified ingredients.

[i] Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Soy Leghemoglobin; 84 Fed. Reg. 37573 (Aug 1, 2019) (to be codified at 21 CFR 73). Available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/01/2019-16374/listing-of-color-additives-exempt-from-certification-soy-leghemoglobin

[ii] Fraser, R.Z., Shitut, M., Agrawal, P., Mendes, O., Klapholz, S. (2018). Safety evaluation of soy leghemoglobin protein preparation derived from Pichia pastoris, intended for use as a flavor catalyst in plant-based meat. Int J Toxicol, 37(3), 241-262. doi: 10.1177/1091581818766318

[iii] n.a. (June 25, 2019). Rat feeding study suggests the impossible burger may not be safe to eat. GMO Science. https://www.gmoscience.org/rat-feeding-studies-suggest-the-impossible-burger-may-not-be-safe-to-eat/ 

[iv] Jin, Y., He, X., Andoh-Kumi,K., Fraser, R.Z., Lu, M., Goodman, R.E. (2018). Evaluating potential risks of food allergy and toxicity of soy leghemoglobin expressed in Pichia pastoris. Mol Nutr Food Res, 62(1), 1700297. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201700297

Please see "Glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited" for more information. 

aka polydextrose and Litesse®

Please see "Synthetic fibers" for more information. 

aka Reb D and M or EverSweet™

See "GMO-produced stevia glycosides" for more information.

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial fats" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

​​​​

• In some people, sulfites cause symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, extreme shortness of breath, flushing, itching, hives, contact dermatitis, eye swelling, nausea, diarrhea, and, in extreme cases, loss of consciousness and anaphylactic shock. Asthmatics seem to be particularly at risk for sulfite sensitivity.[i] [ii]
• There is some preliminary research to suggest that beneficial gut bacteria are killed or inhibited by exposure to sulfite preservatives in concentrations within the “safe” range.[iii]
• Sulfites preservatives are often used unnecessarily; there are many safer alternatives available when a preservative is needed.
• While we do not allow added sulfites in any foods or supplements, those that naturally occur in vinegar are acceptable. They are also allowed in wine labeled “made with organic grapes” and in biodynamic wines, but are limited to 100 ppm. No added sulfites are allowed in organic wine, however, they do occur as a by-product of fermentation and must be below 10 ppm.

[i] (2006). Molybdenum (Monograph). Alternative Medicine Review, 11(2), 156-161. Retrieved from http://www.altmedrev.com/archive/publications/11/2/156.pdf

[ii] Timbo, B., Koehler, K.M., Wolyniak, C., Klontz, K.C. (2004). Sulfites—A Food and Drug Administration review of recalls and reported adverse events. Journal of Food Protection, 67(8), 1806-1811. Retrieved from https://jfoodprotection.org/doi/pdfplus/10.4315/0362-028X-67.8.1806

[iii] Irwin, S.V., Fisher, P., Graham, E., Malek, A. (2017). Sulfites inhibit the growth of four species of beneficial gut bacteria at concentrations regarded as safe for food. PLoS One, 12(10), e0186629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0186629

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

aka saccharin

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

Please see "Artificial sweeteners" for more information. 

• Synthetic fibers are lab-produced fibers that do not occur in nature and offer little to none of the benefits of naturally occurring dietary fiber. 
• Manufacturers add synthetic fibers to highly processed junk foods that would otherwise contain little-to-no fiber to give the illusion of a healthy, high-fiber food.
• There is no reason for synthetic fibers in our food supply, especially since there are numerous sources of beneficial natural fibers and naturally-derived fibers with proven health benefits.

• Talc is used as an anticaking agent and as a carrier for some food dyes, to prevent foods from being sticky, and to prevent the formation of lumps in some powdered and processed dried foods.[i]
• Talc can be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen that also causes lung disease.[ii] [iii] [iv]
• Talc poses the greatest danger to workers exposed to it, but consumer exposure to talc may also increase the risk of developing cancer.[v] [vi]

[i] Edwards, J., |, & Blog. (2020, December 16). A compendium of everything you didn't know contains talc • mesowatch. Retrieved March 30, 2021, from https://mesowatch.com/a-compendium-of-everything-you-didnt-know-contains-talc/

[ii] FAQs: Modernization of the USP Talc Monograph. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://www.usp.org/frequently-asked-questions/talc-monograph

[iii] Richards, M. (2020, March 9). FDA in brief: FDA releases final report of talc- containing cosmetic products tested for asbestos. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-brief/fda-brief-fda-releases-final-report-talc-containing-cosmetic-products-tested-asbestos

[iv] Asbestos and Cancer Risk. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/asbestos.html

[v] (2015, September 30). Talc used in food processing a health hazard, say researchers. Retrieved from https://www.foodprocessing.com.au/content/food-design-research/news/talc-use-in-food-processing-a-health-hazard-say-researchers-859641872

[vi] Chang, C. J., Yang, Y. H., Chen, P. C., Peng, H. Y., Lu, Y. C., Song, S. R., & Yang, H. Y. (2019). Stomach Cancer and Exposure to Talc Powder without Asbestos via Chinese Herbal Medicine: A Population-Based Cohort Study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(5), 717. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16050717

• Tara gum is extracted from the tara shrub (Caesalpinia spinosa) that grows in South America. It is cultivated largely for its tannins, which are used in the manufacture of leather. While the tara shrub has some traditional medicinal uses, it has not been traditionally used as food.[i]
• There is no research to date done on humans ingesting tara gum.[ii]
• We believe there should be no question as to whether a food additive is safe, evidenced either by a long traditional use as food or thorough research.

[i] Skowyra, M. Janiewicz, U., Salejda, A.M., Krasnowska, G., Amajano, M.P. (2015). Effect of tara (caesalpinia spinosa) pod powder on the oxidation of colour stability of pork meat batter during chilled storage. Foo Technol Biotechnol, 53(4), 419-427. doi: 10.17113/ftb.53.04.15.3932

[ii] Borzelleca, J.F., Ladu, B.N., Senti, F.R., Egle Jr, J.L. (1993). Evaluation of safety of tara gum as a food ingredient: a review of the literature. J Am Coll Toxicol, 12(1), 81-89. https://doi.org/10.3109%2F10915819309140625

Please see "Artificial preservatives" for more information. 

• Plastic is often used in tea bag wrappers to maintain freshness and the flavor of tea and tisanes.
• Plastic poses a significant environmental risk. Plastic never biodegrades but instead breaks down into smaller and smaller particles. These tiny particles, known as microplastics, are the most prevalent debris found in the ocean and Great Lakes, and also contaminate the air, our food, animals, and humans.[i]
• Plastics are made from non-renewable fossil fuels and a variety of hazardous chemicals. Plastic disrupts endocrine function, causes reproductive problems, contributes to metabolic conditions such as obesity and type II diabetes, affects brain development, and may contribute to allergies and asthma.[ii] 

[i] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2016, April 13). What are microplastics? NOAA's National Ocean Service. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html

[ii] Campanale, C., Massarelli, C., Savino, I., Locaputo, V., Uricchio, V.F. (2020). A detailed review study on the potential effects of microplastics and additives of concern on human health. Int J Environ, Res Public Health, 17, 1212. doi:10.3390/ijerph17041212

• Plastic is often used to seal tea bags, to help them hold their shape, and to prevent them from breaking down in hot liquids.
• Tea bags made with plastic leach significant amounts (in the billions) of microplastic particles into the tea when steeped under normal tea brewing conditions, making tea and tisanes brewed in plastic tea bags one of the highest known food sources of microplastic exposure for humans.[i]
• Microplastics, and plastic in general, pose a significant environmental risk. Microplastics are the most prevalent debris found in the ocean and the Great Lakes. They are capable of passing through water filtration systems and pose a significant threat to aquatic life.[ii]
• The full effects of ingesting microplastics in humans are not yet known, but plastics, and the chemicals that are used in them, are likely to influence sexual function, fertility, brain development, asthma and allergies, and cancer development.[iii] [iv] 

[i] Hernandez, L.M., Xu, E.G., Larsson, H.C.E., Tahara, R., Maisuria, V.B., Tufenkji, N. (2019). Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea. Environ Sci Technol, 53(21), 123000-12310. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b02540

[ii] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2016, April 13). What are microplastics? NOAA's National Ocean Service. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html

[iii] de Wit. W., Bigaud, N. (2019).  No plastic in nature: assessing plastic ingestion from nature to people. An analysis by Dalberg Advisors and University of Newcastle Australia for World Wide Fund for Nature. Retrieved from: https://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/plastic_ingestion_press_singles.pdf

[iv] Campanale, C., Massarelli, C., Savino, I., Locaputo, V., Uricchio, V.F. (2020). A detailed review study on the potential effects of microplastics and additives of concern on human health. Int J Environ, Res Public Health, 17, 1212. doi:10.3390/ijerph17041212

Please see "Caffeine added to boost caffeine content or to have a stimulant effect" for more information. 

• Titanium dioxide is mainly used as a colorant and brightening agent in foods. Although manufacturers and government agencies continue to contend that the absorption of titanium dioxide from oral exposure is very low, there is research to suggest that humans and animals actually do absorb it and that even small amounts can lead to negative physiological changes.[i]
• Titanium dioxide may cause damage in the intestines without even being absorbed into the body. Research suggests that chronic ingestion of titanium dioxide in foods induces low-grade inflammation of the colon and alters gut homeostasis in ways that may contribute to the development of autoimmune conditions, and of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal issues such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease and colon cancer.[ii] [iii] [iv]
• Children tend to have the greatest exposure to titanium dioxide because they tend to consume more colored food products that contain titanium dioxide than adults, but very little research has been done to assess their vulnerability to it. Studies on rodents suggest that young animals may be more susceptible than adults to developing adverse effects after ingesting titanium dioxide.[v]

[i] Pele, L.C., Thoree, V., Bruggraber, S. F.A., Koller, D., Thompson, R, P.H., Lomer, M.C., Powell, J.J. (2015). Pharmaceutical/food grade titanium dioxide particles are absorbed into the bloodstream of human volunteers. Part Fibre Toxicol, 12, 26. doi: 10.1186/s12989-015-0101-9

[ii] Winkler, H. C., Notter, T., Meyer, U., & Naegeli, H. (2018). Critical review of the safety assessment of titanium dioxide additives in food. Journal of nanobiotechnology, 16(1), 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-018-0376-8

[iii] Bettini, S., Boutet-Robinet, E., Cartier, C., Coméra, C., Gaultier, E., Dupuy, J., …Houdeau, E. (2017). Food-grade TiO2 impairs intestinal and systemic immune homeostasis, initiates preneoplastic lesions and promotes aberrant crypt development in the rat colon. Sci Rep, 7, 40373. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep40373

[iv] Pinget, G., Tan, J., Janac, B., Kaakoush, N.O., Angelatos, A.S., O’Sullivan, J., …Macia, L. (2019). Impact of the food additive titanium dioxide (E171) on gut microbiota-host interaction. Front Nutr, 6, 57. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00057

[v] Winkler, H. C., Notter, T., Meyer, U., & Naegeli, H. (2018). Critical review of the safety assessment of titanium dioxide additives in food. Journal of nanobiotechnology, 16(1), 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-018-0376-8

(aka, cottonseed flour toasted partially defatted cooked)

• Toasted and partially defatted, cooked cottonseed flour is used as a color additive in processed foods.
• Cottonseed contains high amounts of the toxin gossypol, which is known to cause infertility. Extensive processing of the cottonseed must be done to reduce these levels.[i]
• Nearly all (92%) of the cotton (the source of cottonseed) grown in the United States is genetically modified. [ii]

[i] Gadelha, I. C., Fonseca, N. B., Oloris, S. C., Melo, M. M., & Soto-Blanco, B. (2014). Gossypol toxicity from cottonseed products. TheScientificWorldJournal, 2014, 231635. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/231635

[ii] FDA. (2022, February 17). GMO crops, animal food, and beyond. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved July 12, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/gmo-crops-animal-food-and-beyond   

• Transglutaminase is commonly referred to as “meat glue” because it is often used by the food industry to bind (usually low-quality) scraps and different bits of meat together to create a product that appears higher in quality. It is also used in some dairy products, baked goods, and sweets to improve texture.[i]
• The bacteria commercial transglutaminase is produced from is genetically modified.[ii]
• Transglutaminase used in food processing may contribute to the development of Celiac Disease and the intestinal damage that comes with it.[iii] [iv] [v]

[i] Kieliszek, M., MIsiewicz, A. (2014). Microbial transglutaminase and its application in the food industry. A review. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 59(3), 241-250. doi: 10.1007/s12223-013-0287-x

[ii] Kieliszek, M., MIsiewicz, A. (2014). Microbial transglutaminase and its application in the food industry. A review. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 59(3), 241-250. doi: 10.1007/s12223-013-0287-x

[iii] Lerner, A., Matthias, T. (2015). Possible association between celiac disease and bacterial transglutaminase in food processing: a hypothesis. Nutr Rev, 73(8), 544-552. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuv011

[iv] Matthias, T., Jeremias, P., Neidhöfer, S., Lerner, A. (2016). The industrial food additive, microbial transglutaminase, mimics tissue transglutaminase and is immunogenic in celiac disease patients. Autoimmun Rev, 15(12), 1111-1119. DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2016.09.011

[v] Lerner, A., Matthias, T. (2020). Processed food additive microbial transglutaminase and its cross-linked gliadin complexes are potential public health concerns in celiac disease. Int J Mol Sci, 21(3), 1127. doi: 10.3390/ijms21031127

Please see "Trehalose" for more information. 

• Trehalose is FDA-approved as a sweetener and natural flavor.
• Trehalose can fuel the growth of two hypervirulent strains of Clostridium difficile that are capable of causing diarrhea, colitis, organ failure, and even death.[i]
• To ensure this dangerous additive stays out of our stores, we even screen “natural flavor” ingredients for it.

[i] Nield, David. “A Common Sugar Additive Might Be Driving The Rise of One of The Most Aggressive Superbugs.” ScienceAlert, www.sciencealert.com/common-superbug-fuelled-by-popular-sugar-additive-….

aka TREHA®

Please see "Trehalose" for more information.

• Even though Truvia is marketed as coming from stevia, only a small percentage of the product is from the stevia plant. The bulk of Truvia comes from erythritol that is derived from both GMO and non-GMO corn.[i]
• The stevia in Truvia is actually a highly refined extract of stevia known as rebaudioside A (or reb A).
• Although the makers of Truvia claim it is GMO-free, we believe, because its erythritol is GMO-derived, it is not truly GMO-free.

[i] Truvia® FAQ: Health Information & Safety. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://www.truvia.com/faq

• Although real vanilla is composed of hundreds of flavor compounds, vanillin is the one most responsible for the flavor we associate with vanilla.
• Vanillin can be produced from yeast that has been genetically modified. These yeasts produce vanillin glucoside by fermenting glucose.
• Because vanillin is made from genetically modified yeasts and is not natural, we do not carry products that contain it.