Our Certification Standards

Introduction
The Refined Sugar Free Certification ensures that food, beverages, and dietary and nutritional supplement products meet strict criteria for excluding refined sugar from their ingredients. This certification is intended to guide consumers seeking products aligned with their health and wellness goals. By obtaining this certification, companies affirm their commitment to transparency and the promotion of healthier sweetener alternatives.

1. Definitions

  • Refined Sugar: Sugar that has undergone chemical processing to remove molasses and other natural components. This includes but is not limited to: white sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, high fructose corn syrup, glucose syrup, and dextrose.

  • Natural Sweeteners: Sweetening agents derived from natural sources and minimally processed, such as honey, maple syrup, date syrup, coconut sugar, and stevia (unrefined forms).

  • Product: Any food, beverage, or dietary and nutritional supplement item intended for human consumption.

2. Scope of Certification The certification applies to:

  • Packaged food products.

  • Ready-to-consume beverages.

  • Ingredient mixes for food and beverage preparation.

  • Dietary and nutritional supplements.

3. General Standards To qualify for the Refined Sugar Free Certification, products must:

  1. Contain No Refined Sugars:

    • The product must not include any refined sugars or ingredients derived from refined sugar sources.

  2. Limit Artificial Sweeteners:

    • Products may not include artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium.

  3. Use Approved Natural Sweeteners (Optional):

    • If the product contains sweeteners, they must be from the approved natural sweetener list, which includes: honey, maple syrup, date syrup, coconut sugar, and unrefined stevia.

4. Ingredient Transparency

  • All ingredients must be clearly listed on the product’s packaging.

  • Producers must disclose sweetener sources in detail, including origin and processing methods.

5. Production Standards

  • The product’s formulation process must prevent contamination or mixing with refined sugar.

  • Processing equipment must be cleaned to avoid cross-contamination with refined sugar-containing products.

6. Testing and Verification

  • All certified products are subject to periodic testing to confirm the absence of refined sugar.

  • Testing must be conducted by an independent, accredited laboratory.

  • Companies must maintain documentation proving compliance with these standards.

7. Labeling Requirements

  • The certification mark may only appear on products that meet these standards.

  • The mark must be displayed prominently and accurately to prevent misleading claims.

8. Compliance and Enforcement

  • Non-compliance will result in certification suspension or revocation.

  • Companies must undergo annual audits to maintain certification.

  • Any product found in violation must remove the certification mark immediately.

9. Appeals Process Companies may appeal certification decisions through a structured review process. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the decision.

10. Updates to Standards The certification standards will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect evolving scientific knowledge and consumer expectations.

By adhering to these standards, producers help establish trust and promote healthier choices for consumers worldwide.