Ingredient Exclusions

Why we choose simpler formulas

Our criteria favor simpler formulas with clearly disclosed ingredients. A product falling outside our selection does not, by itself, mean its ingredients are harmful. We distinguish our formulation preferences from a documented testing concern.

What we leave out of foods, drinks and supplements

Our ingestible selection excludes:

• Natural and artificial flavors; stevia and monk fruit extracts; sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.
• Gums, apart from the conditional native-acacia exception below.
• Fermentation-derived added citric acid, and citrate salts made from it.
• Silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate used as excipients: ingredients added to help manufacture a product.
• Microcrystalline cellulose used as a filler; HPMC or modified cellulose used as fillers or coatings; dicalcium phosphate used as an excipient.

Citric acid and citrate salts

For ingestibles, non-GMO feedstock does not make fermentation-derived citric acid eligible. A potential exception is citric acid extracted directly from citrus, with a documented non-GMO source and an acceptable processing route. Potassium, sodium, magnesium and other citrate salts must satisfy the same upstream citric-acid requirement. A non-GMO statement alone is not enough.

An unresolved source or processing requirement is an ingredient-review gap. It cannot be relabeled as a missing laboratory report.

The native-acacia exception

Acacia can qualify only when it is native, unmodified exudate from Acacia senegal or Acacia seyal, with its source disclosed. Processing must be limited to physical cleaning, water processing, pasteurization and drying, with appropriate contaminant and microbiological specifications. Chemically modified acacia, or an undisclosed source or process, does not qualify.

This exception does not automatically extend to infant or baby products, which receive a stricter formulation review.

Other ingredients that need source checks

Some ingredients can qualify when their source, processing and role are documented:

• Lecithin: organic or non-GMO sunflower or egg sources are preferred, with mechanical, aqueous or food-grade ethanol processing. Hexane-extracted or undisclosed lecithin fails our criteria.
• Pectin: native apple or citrus pectin may qualify with transparent extraction and precipitation, without amidation or chemical modification.
• Gelatin: source review is required; grass-fed bovine or responsibly sourced marine gelatin with simple extraction is preferred.
• Mixed tocopherols: the source and extraction must be disclosed and acceptable; non-GMO sunflower is preferred.
• Dicalcium phosphate: an intentional calcium or phosphorus nutrient role may qualify with source and process disclosure; filler use does not.

Capsule shells are part of the complete formula. A statement that the contents qualify does not approve the shell. Cellulose-shell questions require the exact polymer, all shell ingredients and an explicit policy decision; the filler and coating rule is not a separate blanket capsule-shell ruling.

Household and personal-care products

Household products follow their own category rules. Citric acid and citrate can have an acceptable cleaning function after review of the complete formula and its purpose; the ingestible exclusion does not automatically apply.

Synthetic fragrance or parfum, and natural fragrance blends without a full breakdown, are excluded. Individually named essential oils may qualify, with suitability for the intended use assessed separately.

Sleep and bedding materials

The strict sleep and bedding criteria exclude:

• Polyurethane foam, including plant-oil-derived polyurethane.
• PFAS treatments, added flame-retardant chemicals and synthetic fragrance treatments.
• Undisclosed adhesives or foams.

We favor clearly disclosed materials such as organic cotton, wool, natural latex, linen and hemp. Approval applies to the named product and configuration; a brand certification does not approve its whole range.

Always check the exact label

Formulas and variants change. Our decision applies only to the reviewed product and scope. Check the current label for ingredients, allergens and directions before buying or using it. An ingredient-approved listing is not individualized dietary or medical advice.