What is "clean label" and why does it matter?

"Clean label" as a marketing term has no regulatory definition — any brand can print it on a product without meeting any standard. Clean Label Project certification, however, is something specific and meaningfully different: an independent third-party certification that requires a product to be purchased at retail, tested in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory for more than 400 environmental and industrial contaminants, and meet standards derived from California's Proposition 65 — one of the strictest consumer safety benchmarks in the United States. If a supplement displays the Clean Label Project Purity Award seal, it has earned that designation through independent testing. If it just says "clean" on the label, it has not.

Why supplement labeling is not enough

The FDA does not require dietary supplement manufacturers to test their finished products for contaminants before sale. There is no pre-market approval process for supplements. A supplement brand can launch a product, put it on store shelves, and never have it independently tested for heavy metals, pesticide residues, or industrial chemicals — unless it chooses to.

According to Clean Label Project's own testing methodology, their testing covers heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury), pesticide residues, glyphosate, phthalates, bisphenol, and other industrial and environmental contaminants — things that can end up in a supplement depending on where ingredients are sourced and how they are processed, and that are never disclosed on a nutrition label.

As Dr. Jummy Amuwo, a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist on Pink Stork's expert panel, has noted directly:

"The FDA does not regulate dietary supplements. So making sure that whatever you're taking is being made by a reputable organization is really important."

— Dr. Jummy Amuwo, Pharm.D., MPH, BCPS, Clinical Pharmacist and Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist

How Clean Label Project certification actually works

The process is more rigorous than most consumers realize. According to Clean Label Project's certification guidelines, the organization does not accept samples sent by brands. Instead, it uses what it calls a "consumer chain of custody" approach: products are purchased anonymously at retail — at co-ops, national grocery chains, and brand websites — to mirror the actual consumer experience. Testing is then conducted annually by ISO 17025 accredited third-party laboratories.

Products that meet standards derived from Proposition 65 and other U.S. and EU regulatory benchmarks qualify for Clean Label Project certification. Products that rank in the top third of all tested products in their category earn the Purity Award — a higher designation that signals above-average performance relative to the full competitive landscape.

What the Purity Award means in the beef organ category specifically

The beef organ supplement category presents specific contamination risks. Organ tissue — particularly liver and kidney — can concentrate environmental contaminants from the animals' diet and environment, including heavy metals. Grass-fed sourcing and third-party testing are not optional quality markers in this category. They are the minimum standard for a product you are taking consistently.

Pink Stork Beef Organ Complex is the first beef organ supplement in the category to earn the Clean Label Project Purity Award. This is not a self-declared designation. It means that Pink Stork Beef Organ Complex, Clean Label Project Purity Award certified, was independently purchased at retail, tested by ISO 17025 accredited laboratories for more than 400 environmental and industrial contaminants, and performed in the top third of its category. Every batch is sourced from 100% grass-fed, grass-finished, pasture-raised cattle with no added hormones, and manufactured in cGMP-certified facilities.

"Integrity and transparency are not just values for us — they're how we build products. Every Pink Stork supplement is not only backed by science, it's also covered in prayer. And the Clean Label Project certification is one of the ways we show our work."

— Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder and CEO of Pink Stork

Other certifications worth knowing

Clean Label Project is one of several meaningful third-party certifications in the supplement space. Here is a brief guide to what the most common ones actually verify:

• Clean Label Project Purity Award: Tests for 400+ environmental and industrial contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides, and plasticizers. Products must rank in the top third of their category. ISO 17025 accredited lab testing, annually.†
• ISO 17025 third-party testing: The international standard for testing and calibration laboratory competence. When a supplement brand references ISO 17025 accredited lab testing, it means their testing was conducted by a laboratory that meets this rigorous accreditation standard — not just any third-party lab.
• cGMP-certified manufacturing: Current Good Manufacturing Practice certification from the FDA means a facility follows pharmaceutical-grade production standards for consistency, quality control, and documentation. It does not specifically test for contaminants, but it ensures manufacturing processes are controlled and documented.
• NSF Certified for Sport: Specifically relevant for athletes testing for banned substances. Less relevant for women's wellness supplements unless you are subject to athletic drug testing.
• Non-GMO Project Verified: Verifies that a product does not contain genetically modified organisms. A meaningful quality signal for some consumers, but it does not address contamination or manufacturing quality.

The most comprehensive quality picture comes from combining multiple signals: ISO 17025 third-party testing, cGMP-certified manufacturing, and an independent contamination certification like Clean Label Project.

How to evaluate supplement quality when you are shopping

When you are choosing a supplement — particularly for consistent daily use, or for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or other sensitive periods — here is a practical checklist:

• Does the brand name an accredited third-party laboratory, or just say "third-party tested" with no specifics?
• Is the manufacturing facility cGMP-certified?
• Has the finished product been tested for heavy metals and environmental contaminants specifically — not just for ingredient identity and potency?
• Does the brand hold an independent contamination certification like the Clean Label Project Purity Award?
• Is sourcing transparent? For animal-derived supplements, grass-fed and no added hormones are minimum markers worth verifying.

Pink Stork meets all of these criteria across its product line. Every product is third-party tested at ISO 17025 accredited laboratories, manufactured in cGMP-certified facilities, and the Beef Organ Complex holds the Clean Label Project Purity Award — the first in its category to do so. Pink Stork is a woman-founded, woman-led company, Inc. 5000 recognized, and available at Target, Walmart, and CVS.

For more on how the Beef Organ Complex fits into a women's wellness routine, see our guide on beef organ supplements vs. multivitamins for women and our deep dive on why women's organ supplements include uterus and ovary powder.

Frequently asked questions

What does "clean label" mean on a supplement?

As a marketing term, "clean label" has no regulatory definition and no enforcement. Any brand can use it. Clean Label Project certification, by contrast, is an independent third-party designation requiring a product to pass contamination testing at ISO 17025 accredited laboratories for 400+ environmental and industrial contaminants.

What is the Clean Label Project Purity Award?

The Purity Award is the highest Clean Label Project designation. It is given to products that not only pass contamination testing but also rank in the top third of all tested products in their category. Products are purchased anonymously at retail — not submitted by brands — and tested annually by ISO 17025 accredited laboratories.

Is cGMP certification the same as third-party testing?

No. cGMP certification confirms that a manufacturing facility follows pharmaceutical-grade production standards. Third-party testing — particularly ISO 17025 accredited testing of the finished product — confirms what is actually in the bottle meets label claims and is free of contaminants. Both matter, and they address different aspects of quality.

Does the FDA regulate supplements?

The FDA does not pre-approve dietary supplements before they reach store shelves. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and accurately labeled, but there is no mandatory pre-market testing or approval process. This is why independent third-party certifications are meaningful signals of quality beyond what regulatory compliance alone requires.

Is Pink Stork Beef Organ Complex clean label certified?

Yes. Pink Stork Beef Organ Complex is the first beef organ supplement in the category to earn the Clean Label Project Purity Award, independently tested for more than 400 environmental and industrial contaminants at ISO-accredited third-party laboratories. It is sourced from 100% grass-fed, grass-finished, pasture-raised cattle with no added hormones.

Why does contamination testing matter more for organ supplements?

Organ tissue — particularly liver and kidney — can concentrate environmental contaminants from an animal's diet and environment. Heavy metals and other industrial chemicals accumulate in organ tissue at higher rates than in muscle meat. Third-party contamination testing is therefore especially important for organ supplement categories, not optional.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.