The Truly Clean & Natural List |

The Truly Clean & Natural List

More and more, I’ve come to realize that a lot of organizations that are certifying products as “safe” or “clean” or “natural” do not have the same standards that I do, when I use those words.  And, if talking to my friends and family is anything to go on, they don’t necessarily have the same standards, either.

Many feel duped because they trust a company or an organization based on a recommendation…only to look into that company more, or read the ingredients on a products, and think, “Wait, that’s not really clean!”

There has to be a way to better evaluate companies, and to create a list of those that are truly clean.  Companies that aren’t making compromises when it comes to natural and safe.

One of my favorite things is research, and I believe strongly in transparency, so I thought I would go ahead and tackle this one!

The Rules of the List

No company included on this list (currently) knows I’m including them.  No company can pay to be included on the list.  This keeps it *completely fair* for everyone involved.  If I have any ties to a company — I have worked with them in the past, have been an affiliate for them, etc. — I will disclose that.

To be included, companies must:

Be Completely Transparent

Companies must clearly list all of their ingredients on both their products and their website.  Full ingredients lists must be easy to find on the website — no clicking through multiple pages or having to go to a separate site.  Must not be “active ingredients,” but full ingredients listed.

When required, companies must list how/where they source their ingredients, and be willing to answer questions about sources if requested.

Any company that makes it difficult to get information, gives people the run-around when information is requested, or replies with “Processed ingredients are safer!” will not be on the list!

Have Completely Clean, Recognizable Ingredients

No one should need a third-party resources, several scientific studies, and a chemistry book to understand what’s in the product.  If the average consumer can’t read and recognize every ingredient, the product is not clean enough (with very few exceptions).

This is because a lot of ingredients that we think are safe, end up not being all that safe once we have more data…because they are in isolation, and are mixed with other chemicals in unpredictable ways.  Safe products should not be so difficult, and they don’t have to be!

Ingredients on my “no” list:

  • GMO anything
  • Additives like soy lecithin, or soy-derived preservatives, emulsifers, etc.
  • “Natural flavors” (unless a company is completely transparent about where these came from…’natural sources’ is not good enough)
  • Any isolated chemical (sodium cocoate, etc.)
  • Preservatives, outside of 100% natural ones (natural foods or oils that we would use for other reasons or which have their own benefits are “natural”)

For personal care products, soaps vs. detergents will be noted.

Products that contain high-allergen ingredients will be noted (corn, soy, gluten, nuts or nut oils) for those who cannot tolerate these ingredients.

No contamination concerns allowed!

Be Independent as Much as Possible

Many people have concerns over companies that are owned by giant, not-so-natural parent companies.  These companies could end up cutting corners or doing a bait-and-switch maneuver.  People deserve to know who owns the companies.

Just being owned by a large company will not necessarily disqualify a brand, but it will be noted in the review.

No Reports of Concerns Over Product Honesty

Companies that have been legitimately accused of falsely advertising, mislabeling their products, or being not truthful in some regard will not be included.  Companies that have been proven to do these things will definitely not be included!!

Things I Will Not Consider

There are things I will not take into consideration when evaluation companies.

Current Ratings in Third Party Organizations

These are suspect in many cases.  Some are now taking paid endorsements, which calls into question their mission a bit.  Many have standards quite different than mine (hence the need for this).

Plus, if I have need to look up any ingredient in a third-party database…that product does not meet my criteria in the first place!

How Popular a Company Is

Certain companies are very popular among “natural” families for a variety of reasons.  They’re large brands, well-established, or market themselves as being very “green.”  If these companies’ products do not meet my standards, they will not be included.

Some people may question why certain companies have not been included or defend Company A as being “clean” and disagree with my list.  That’s okay.  I’m not asking anyone else to adopt my standards, and if you’ve done your research and trust Company A, then by all means, keep buying from them.  I won’t include them, though, if they don’t fully meet my standards — which I laid out above.

Have a Company to Suggest?

It’s possible that I am not aware of some of the great, truly natural companies out there.  Feel free to send me an email, kate@modernalternativemama.com, to ask me to check into a specific company.  Please put “Company Suggestion for The Truly Clean & Natural Product List” as the subject line, and include a link to their website.

It is also possible that I have seen that company and have chosen not to include them, but I would still like to hear from you!

If you are the owner of a company who wants to be considered for the list, feel free to email me a link to your website.  I will not take samples nor payment to promote you or add you to the list, but I will look at your company to see if it meets my standards!  If so, I will add it here.

The Truly Clean & Natural List

This list is divided into different categories to make it easier to check!  I make no claims at all about how well these products work, how they taste, or how affordable they are.  This list is focused on how clean the ingredients are.  Once you have identified a few companies you trust, look for reviews to answer your other questions!

Food & Drink

Company Name: Peeled Snacks
Product Type: Dried fruit
Products: Dried apples, bananas, mangoes, baked pea snacks
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes, also vegan
Website: http://peeledsnacks.com/
Conflicts of interest: I received free samples of some of their products a few years back.  No paid sponsorships ever.
Notes: Very clean ingredients.  Those who do not like vegetable oils may choose to avoid the baked pea snacks, which contain processed grains and sunflower/safflower oil (ingredients list is otherwise very clean).

Company Name: Nick’s Sticks
Product Type: Beef jerky and jerky-sticks
Products: Spicy and regular pasture-raised turkey and beef jerky strips and sticks
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes, except jerky contains soy (sticks do not)
Website: http://www.nicks-sticks.com
Conflicts of interest: I have run co-op buys for their products, and have done two paid sponsorships in past years with them (none since 2013 or earlier).
Notes: Very clean ingredients.  Jerky pieces contain organic soy, which some may not prefer.

Company Name: Made in Nature
Product Type: Snack foods
Products: Coconut chips, figgy pops, dried fruit, kale chips, and ancient grains
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes, mostly.  Some products contain nuts, but are clearly labeled.
Website: https://www.madeinnature.com
Conflicts of interest: None
Notes: These snacks are vegan and completely clean.  Most are paleo-friendly, except the “ancient grains” category.

Company Name: Bare Snacks
Product Type: Snack foods
Products: Coconut chips, chia-coconut chips, dried fruit
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes
Website: http://www.baresnacks.com/
Conflicts of interest: None
Notes: Vegan, paleo-friendly

Company Name: Real Salt
Product Type: Salt and seasonings
Products: Table salt, kosher salt, powdered salt, flavored salts
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes
Website: www.realsalt.com
Conflicts of interest: I have worked with them on sponsored content in the past (prior to 2014).  I also visited their facilities in 2013 and have seen their salt mines and processes first-hand.
Notes: Truly clean company!

Company Name:
Product Type:
Products:
Allergy-Friendly?:
Website:
Conflicts of interest:
Notes:

Company Name:
Product Type:
Products:
Allergy-Friendly?:
Website:
Conflicts of interest:
Notes:

 

Personal Care

Company Name: Gabriel Cosmetics
Product Type: Makeup
Products: Foundation, powder, blush, lip stick and gloss, mascara, eye liner
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes
Website: https://gabrielcosmeticsinc.com/
Conflicts of interest: None
Notes: This is the cleanest cosmetic company I’ve found anywhere, and I’m slowly switching all my products over.

Company Name: Earthley
Product Type: Health and wellness
Products: Tinctures, skin care, deodorant, sun care, soaps, and more
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes
Website: www.earthley.com
Conflicts of interest: FULL DISCLOSURE I own this business, but it exists because so few companies met my standards.
Notes: Don’t take my word for it…visit the site for yourself to see.

Company Name:
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Products:
Allergy-Friendly?:
Website:
Conflicts of interest:
Notes:

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Allergy-Friendly?:
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Supplements and Wellness

Company Name: The Synergy Company
Product Type: Vitamins and supplements
Products: Multivitamins for men and women, B and C powders, fruit/veggie powders
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes
Website: https://www.thesynergycompany.com
Conflicts of interest: None
Notes: I have purchased and tried the vitamin C powder personally and like it.

Company Name: Seeking Health
Product Type: Supplements
Products: Wide range of multis, mama/baby, probiotics, individual nutrients, etc.
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes
Website: https://www.seekinghealth.com/
Conflicts of interest: None
Notes: I have purchased and tried infant probiotics, 12-strain probiotics, vitamin A and D drops, and a few of the B vitamins.  These are designed for people with MTHFR.

Company Name:
Product Type:
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Allergy-Friendly?:
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Conflicts of interest:
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Allergy-Friendly?:
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Cleaning

Company Name: None
Product Type: Detergent/soap
Products: Soap Nuts
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes
Website: Several companies offer these
Conflicts of interest: None
Notes: Soap nuts are truly natural for laundry.  Several companies offer them, from Eco Nuts to Mountain Rose Herbs.

Company Name: Molly’s Suds
Product Type: Laundry detergent
Products: Several versions of laundry detergent, wool dryer balls, and more
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes
Website: https://mollyssuds.com/
Conflicts of interest: I worked with them 3 – 4 years back on a single sponsored post, but not since
Notes: Most products have a small amount of peppermint oil in them, but they are available without.

Company Name:
Product Type:
Products:
Allergy-Friendly?:
Website:
Conflicts of interest:
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Baby

Company Name: Poof Diapers
Product Type: Disposable diapers
Products: Baby diapers in a variety of sizes
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes; contains corn
Website: https://www.poofdiapers.com
Conflicts of interest: None
Notes: Fully biodegradable diapers that break down in 4 – 6 months.  Contains non-GMO corn.  Does contain some SAP (super absorbent) material, but it is made of corn, not synthetics.

Company Name: Broody Chick Diapers
Product Type: Disposable diapers
Products: Baby diapers, also feminine hygiene items
Allergy-Friendly?: Yes
Website: http://www.broodychickdiapers.com/
Conflicts of interest: None
Notes: Uses wood pulp.  Fully biodegradable.

Company Name:
Product Type:
Products:
Allergy-Friendly?:
Website:
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Hi, I’m Kate.  I love medical freedom, sharing natural remedies, developing real food recipes, and gentle parenting. My goal is to teach you how to live your life free from Big Pharma, Big Food, and Big Government by learning about herbs, cooking, and sustainable practices.

I’m the author of Natural Remedies for Kids and the owner and lead herbalist at EarthleyI hope you’ll join me on the journey to a free and healthy life!

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