The Seal Makes It Real
- Misleading labeling
- Oil adulteration fraud
- Hidden seed oils
- False claims
- Physician-authored Standards
- Independent lab testing
- Auditing & surveillance
- Evidence-based education
Certification Overview
What Seed Oil Free Certified® Means
Seed Oil Free Certified® means that products bearing our trademarked seal meet the most rigorous standard for avoiding seed oils, backed by documentation, auditing, and independent lab testing of added oils and refined fats.
The Seed Oil Free Certified® Seal appears on product packages, restaurant menus, and marketing materials from qualifying companies that achieve certification and license the seal.
Any retail food company or restaurant with eligible food products can Apply for Seed Oil Free Certification. Our physician-authored Seed Oil Free Standards define allowed and disallowed ingredients, requirements for companies, and more.
| Seed Oil Free Certified® means foods are… | Free from other ingredients like… | Only made with allowed oils and fats such as… |
|---|---|---|
| Soybean Oil | Artificially hydrogenated oils and fats | Avocado oil |
| Corn Oil | Esterified propoxylated glycerol | Butter and ghee |
| Canola Oil | Interesterified oils and fats | Coconut oil |
| Sunflower Oil | Lecithin from canola, corn, rice bran, safflower or soy | Oils from algae or fermentation |
| Peanut Oil | Mineral oil | Olive oil |
| Grapeseed Oil | Natural or artificial flavors with undeclared seed oils | Tallow and other animal fats |
| Safflower Oil | Oils and fats with artificial preservatives or other added synthetic ingredients | |
| Rice bran oil | ||
| Cottonseed Oil | ||
| Flaxseed Oil |
Why We’re Helping The Food Industry Switch To Healthier Oils & Fats
The average American consumes 201, 2-30%3 of daily calories from highly processed seed oils like soybean, corn, and canola oil. While they’re incredibly common ingredients today and difficult for consumers to avoid, this wasn’t always the case.
Highly processed seed oils are a relatively recent addition to the human diet, first appearing in the early 20th century when the industrial technology to profitably extract them emerged. Since then, consumption has steadily grown each decade.4
The reason for such high levels of consumption, plain and simple, is cost. No consumer is intentionally obtaining a quarter or more of their daily calories from soybean oil or other seed oils. No, these oils are ubiquitous in food because they’re cheap.
But there’s now a growing grassroots movement to reduce or eliminate seed oils in favor of healthier oils and fats.
The Seed Oil Free Alliance helps align the financial incentives of conscientious companies with the buying preferences of health-conscious consumers seeking to avoid seed oils. We provide fact-based consumer education and assist our brand partners with positioning, messaging, marketing support, and retail sales growth data.
Our Seed Oil Free Certified® seal allows companies to showcase their commitment to public health, product quality, and ingredient integrity.
Making the switch from highly processed seed oils to better-for-you ingredients isn’t always an easy decision for companies, but it’s the right decision. We don’t shame companies for using seed oils — it’s never too late to learn and do better.
Our Pillars
Public Health: The health effects of seed oil overconsumption are subject to conflicting scientific findings and varied interpretations. However, consumers have a right to make informed purchasing decisions based on clear product labeling and evidence-based education.
Product Quality: Inexpensive, highly processed seed oils lack the heritage and culinary benefits of premium oils and fats. Food companies can win over consumers by switching to tastier, higher-quality oils and fats.
Ingredient Integrity: Our independent testing conducted in an ISO 17025-accredited lab proves that oil and fat ingredients are pure and don’t contain any undisclosed seed oils. We also uphold the Seed Oil Free Standards with auditing, finished goods surveillance, and more.
- Rehkamp S. A Look at Calorie Sources in the American Diet. USDA ERS. Published December 5, 2016. Accessed September 6, 2024. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2016/december/a-look-at-calorie-sources-in-the-american-diet/
- USDA ERS – Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System. USDA. Published 2017. Accessed September 7, 2024. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-availability-per-capita-data-system/food-availability-per-capita-data-system/
USDA ERS estimates for intakes of added oils have not been updated since 2010, but seed oil intakes have likely continued to grow.
- OECD. UN FAO Vegetable oil projections: Consumption, food. OECD iLibrary. Published 2020. Accessed September 6, 2024. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/agriculture-and-food/vegetable-oil-projections-consumption-food_18d673aa-en
An additional food loss modifier is applied here to OECD and UN FAO per capita vegetable oil consumption to account for food waste and discarded cooking oil.
4. Blasbalg TL, Hibbeln JR, Ramsden CE, Majchrzak SF, Rawlings RR. Changes in consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the United States during the 20th century. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2011;93(5):950-962. doi:https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.110.006643
Seed Oil Free Certification Resources
Our expert team is ready to guide you through every step of the process, from your initial application to proudly displaying the Seed Oil Free Certified® seal. Start your certification journey today.
Explore the Standards
The Seed Oil Free Standards define requirements for companies and their products, allowed and disallowed ingredients for certification, and other certification details.
View Seed Oil Free StandardsLearn About Our Process
Our industry-leading Seed Oil Free Certification process ensures all certified products are free of hard-to-avoid seed oils, with laboratory testing and auditing to protect consumers and companies.
Discover the Certification ProcessCheck Pricing
Eligible companies can license our trademarked seal for use on product packages, menus & other marketing materials for an annual flat fee. Testing fees are itemized per-ingredient.
Learn About PricingDetermine Your Eligibility
Review a simple ingredient checklist to check your company’s eligibility and receive pre-qualification and guidance on applying for the Seed Oil Free Certification.
Check Certification EligibilityNeed More Information?
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