Product Badge Glossary

GMO Free
Dr. Mercola’s GMO-free badge guarantees that our products do not contain genetically engineered ingredients. We also avoid using ingredients, which in themselves are non-GMO, but have been produced by genetically engineered bacteria. We ensure our GMO-free badge through rigorous checking, vendor audits, testing, and by using identity preserved ingredients.

Unfortunately, given the ubiquitous nature of GMOs in our food supply today, there is no fool-proof process to avoid GMO contamination. Be assured that we work to ensure our products are not inadvertently contaminated with GMOs. In addition, we always develop our products with organic ingredients when available.

Although we support The Non-GMO Project, we do not believe that GMO-free foods should be labeled as such. We believe that foods containing GMOs should be labeled as they are the foods that have been modified using genetic engineering technology. Therefore, we do not certify our products with a Non-GMO label.

Soy-Free
Dr. Mercola’s Soy Free badge indicates our products are free of soy whenever possible. We prefer not to use soy or ingredients derived from soy for two reasons:

Soy is a phyto-prohormone. Many people’s hormonal system, especially women, are affected by soy.
95% of the soy in the U.S. is genetically modified (GMO), so the availability of non-GMO soy is extremely limited.

In some cases, soy is used as a medium for the growth of probiotics and other nutrients. In the cases where soy is used, we ensure that our products are free of soy protein/soy DNA so that hormonal potential activity is absent.

Gluten-Free
Dr. Mercola’s Gluten Free badge assures our products to be free of grains that contain gluten. Our gluten free products meet the FDA regulatory requirement for Gluten Free labeling.

Fair Trade Certified
Dr. Mercola’s products that display our Fair Trade badge are grown, processed and traded out of concern and respect for people and for our planet. Many different Fair Trade certifications exist but the overall goal of Fair Trade place attention on social, environmental, and economic standards for the people that produce the products and for the land on which they are grown. Many Fair Trade standards also include programs to give back to communities and help them develop their futures.

Demeter Biodynamic Certified
Biodynamic is a standard of sustainable farming and holistic stewardship that aims to heal the planet through conscious agriculture. Demeter USA is the only certifier for Biodynamic farms and products in America. While all of the organic requirements for certification must be met to receive a Biodynamic certification, the Demeter standard is much more extensive. Demeter Biodynamic^® certification entails stricter requirements around imported fertility, greater emphasis on on-farm solutions for disease, pest, weed control, and in depth specifications around water conservation and biodiversity.

Learn more about Demeter’s Biodynamic Certification

USDA Organic Certified
USDA Organic labeling verifies that 95% or more of the ingredients used in a product are certified organic. Organic deems an item free of synthetic additives, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and dyes. The item must also be free of genetic engineering and not processed with industrial solvents, irradiation, or sewage sludge. The reaming 5% of ingredients must be on the USDA approved list of additives.

USDA Organic products must be verified by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited certifying agent before products can be labeled USDA organic.

Overall, organic operations must demonstrate that they are protecting natural resources, conserving biodiversity, and using only approved substances.

View USDA Organic labeling fact sheet.

Vegan Certified
The Certified Vegan Logo is a registered trademark for products that do not contain animal products or byproducts and have not been tested on animals. The Certified Vegan Logo is administered by the Vegan Awareness Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about veganism and assisting vegan-friendly businesses.

Certified Vegan standard:

No Animal Products
No Animal Testing
No Animal GMOs
Provide Verification

In addition, companies must submit and prove that acceptable steps are taken to thoroughly clean and sanitize all surfaces, vessels, utensils, and machinery used between vegan and non-vegan production cycles to minimize cross-contamination if shared machinery is used.

Learn more about the Certified Vegan logo.

Leaping Bunny Certified
The Leaping Bunny Certification is the global gold standard for cruelty free cosmetics and household products managed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). The CCIC promotes a single comprehensive Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals and Leaping Bunny Logo to help make shopping for animal-friendly products easier and more trustworthy. The Leaping Bunny Logo is the only internationally recognized certification that requires companies’ voluntarily pledge to clear animal testing from all stages of product development. The company's ingredient suppliers make the same pledge and the result is a product guaranteed to be 100 percent free of animal testing.

Learn more about the Leaping Bunny Program.

GOTS Organic Certified
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria. Textiles must contain a minimum of 70% organic fiber to receive GOTs certification. The GOT standard also covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution of all textiles. The final products may include, but are not limited to, fiber products, yarns, fabrics, clothes, and home textiles.

On-site inspection and certification of processors, manufacturers and traders performed by accredited bodies is the basis of the GOTS monitoring system to provide a credible assurance for the integrity of GOTS certified textiles.

Learn more about the Global Organic Textile Standard.

American Grass Fed Certified
American Grass Fed Association (AGA) standards for meat, dairy and pasture pork have been developed by a team of animal scientists, veterinarians, ranchers and range management specialists. They concentrate on four main areas of production:

100% Grass Diet – Animals are fed only grass and forage from weaning until harvest.
Raised on Pasture – Animals are raised on pasture without confinement.
No Antibiotics or Hormones – Animals are never treated with antibiotics or added growth hormones.
Family Farm Origin – All animals are born and raised on American family farms.

AGA-Certified producers employ a sustainable approach to farm/ranch management designed to enhance land, water, and air quality. They are inspected at least every 15-months by independent, third parties to ensure continuing compliance with the standards.

Learn more about the American Grass Fed Association.