Clean Supplements: What This Actually Means

If you’ve been following us for a while you’ll know we call our supplements clean. But what does this really mean? What makes our range of products “clean” and how can you spot a supplement that isn’t? In this article we uncover what clean supplements actually means and discuss why it helps to become a label detective.

What does “clean” supplements mean? 

The phrase “clean” isn’t a regulated term, but it’s one we’ve chosen to use as it captures the ethical principles that underpin our products.

To us, “clean” means that our natural supplements are:

• Palm oil free. Palm oil production is devastating rainforests and other biodiverse habitats and many supplement producers have turned against it. However, it’s much harder to spot the 500+ palm oil derivatives with names like acetylated monoglycerides and aluminium stearate [1]. To make this easier for you, we promise never to use palm oil or any of its derivatives in our products.

• Vegan-friendly and organic where possible. We have a zero-tolerance policy for animal testing and animal ingredients of any kind – even gelatine capsules. 

• Fully traceable through our supplier chains. We know where every ingredient comes from and each one has to pass a stringent supplier approval programme that covers strict manufacturing, quality, specification and sample checks.

• Safety checked: every raw material we use conforms to food safety regulations and we analyse every batch of products. We also perform microbiology checks on products after they have been manufactured so you can be fully assured of their safety and quality.

• Plastic free: all our packaging is ocean-friendly and fully recyclable. It costs us up to 5 times more than regular plastic but this is a small price to pay for environmental sustainability and a green future for all.

• Additive free: we decided from the start that our supplements wouldn’t include common additives like magnesium stearate and maltodextrin. Occasionally, we need to add a tiny amount of organic gluten-free rice starch to a formula but most of the time we don’t use any additives at all.  

Become a supplement sleuth – what to look for on product labels

When choosing a supplement it’s important to look out for potential allergens and any additives, and to see whether synthetic or natural forms of nutrients are included. This way you can learn to spot unfavourable ingredients and poor-quality formulas.  

Allergen statements

If a food supplement contains any of the 14 major allergens as either an ingredient or a processing aid, they must be listed on the label in bold or contrasting type.

Common additives 

Additives like corn starch, maltodextrin, soy lecithin, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate are frequently used in supplements as binders, emulsifiers, flow agents, or fillers. Some of these additives may be extracted from genetically modified or genetically engineered plants. Magnesium stearate is considered to be safe in tiny amounts but there isn’t any proof about the safety of cumulative exposure via multiple sources [2] (e.g. supplements, foods, confectionary). 

What about natural vs. synthetic vitamins?

It’s important to remember that the form of a nutrient matters more than any of the marketing hype being used to sell it. Naturally derived, active forms of vitamins and minerals often have greater bioavailability than their synthetic counterparts, no matter what any adverts say. 

Take folate, for example. A methylfolate supplement provides the active form of folate, ready for your body to use whereas synthetic folic acid needs to be converted into methylfolate before it can get to work. And with minerals, chelated forms outperform blended and buffered forms when it comes to absorption and bioavailability. 

FAQs

What are “clean supplements”?

We choose to call our products “clean” because they meet our own strict guidelines around animal welfare and environmental responsibility. All our products are ethically and sustainably sourced, use planet-friendly packaging, are free from palm oil and palm oil derivatives, contain no unnecessary additives, and are Vegan Society-approved.

How do I check if a supplement is vegan and palm-oil free?

A vegan product will contain no animal or animal derived ingredients. Look for the Vegan Society logo on the label if you want to confirm its vegan credentials.

Palm oil is trickier to spot as there are hundreds of different palm oil derivatives with a wide range of names. A reputable brand will be clear about not using palm oil or its derivatives in their products so if you have any doubts, contact them.

Why do brands use additives at all?

Additives are often used during the manufacturing process as emulsifiers, thickeners, binders, fillers, or as flow-agents that stop other ingredients from sticking to the machinery. They can also be used as coating agents for tablets, colourings, and sweeteners.

Apart from the occasional use of organic gluten-free rice starch, we choose to use no other additives in our products, only pure active ingredients.

What certifications should I look for on a supplement label?

On a product label look out for the Vegan Society logo to confirm there are no animal derived ingredients in the product, and the recycling symbol that tells you the packaging is fully recyclable. Also check for potential allergens in the ingredients list and get clear on what forms of nutrients are included – natural or synthetic. 

Recognising a good quality product is about knowing what shouldn’t be on the label, just as much as what should be. From synthetic additives to cheap forms of minerals, there’s a lot to look out for when choosing a supplement. We’ve made it easy for you by creating a range of products that are ethically sourced, planet-friendly, and Vegan Society approved – which in our book, means clean.

If you have any questions about what makes our supplements clean, get in touch with a member of our team who’ll be happy to help. And remember to take our free quiz to find the right supplements and meal plan for you – all in less than one minute!

You may also enjoy reading:

How To Read A Supplement Label: Units, Symbols, and What They Really Mean

Chelated Vs. Buffered Magnesium Glycinate; Which Should you Choose?

8 Ingredients to Avoid In Your Supplements

The Evidence

1. Hunt, T. 2022. Palm oil labelling. [online] Available at https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/palm-oil/palm-oil-labelling 

2. Hobbs, C. A., Saigo, K., & Koyanagi, M. 2017. Magnesium stearate, a widely used food additive, exhibits a lack of in vitro and in vivo genotoxic potential. Toxicology Reports, 4, 554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2017.10.003