FAQ + Additional Resources
Feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, concerns, praise – we’re here to hear you out and help wherever and whenever we can.
Interested in working with us? Please reach out to [email protected]
Brands - Please reach out to [email protected]
Retailers - Please reach out to [email protected]
Download detailed sales data when you navigate to Orders > Fulfilled Tab > Export > Order Details in your Vendor Dashboard. Orders are not sales. Sales payouts are initiated on the 10th of the month after an order is fulfilled.
Download detailed payments data when you navigate to Payments > Monthly Statements > Month > Export in your Vendor Dashboard.
When these reports are requested they are emailed as an attachment
We’re here to support your growth.
Need money for a new production run or to pay off business expenses? To support your growth, we have launched Pod Capital where you can apply for easy and affordable financing through a few simple steps via your dashboard. Click here to find out more and get access to capital now!
Vendors may submit a claim via the dashboard
Retailers can submit a claim here
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions
Email [email protected] to give your 60 day notice required before closing your account. A representative will follow up with you to provide next steps.
Orders are marked as fulfilled when a POD is confirmed by our team. This can take up to 10 business days from ship date. Please see our Order Fulfillment Compliance Policy for additional information.
Brands are able to set their own wholesale pricing. For additional information please see our regional pricing section.
Please refer to Vendor Payout Information
Please refer to Pod Direct Order and Payout Policy
APL (Approved Product List) - a list of products that are approved by a retailer. Case Pack - wholesale unit distributed to retailers by Pod.
Case Stack - display strategy used by retailers in which cases are stacked on one another; consumers are meant to take cases from the top of the stack.
Case Stack Deal - a promotion offered by vendors to retailers; retailers must purchase a specified number of cases of product to receive a particular promotion.
Discontinued - refers to a product that is no longer available for distribution (if discontinued by the vendor) or retail sale (if discontinued by a retailer). Discontinued products are set to ‘Inactive’ on the Pod platform.
Distribution Center (DC) - a term used to describe a warehouse space utilized to pick, pack, and transport orders. DCs also receive inbound shipments and slot inventory for order fulfillment.
Eaches – see Units
End Cap - a merchandising space, normally reserved for promotions, located at the end of retail store aisles.
End Cap Promotion - a discount or deal applied to an end cap display.
Everyday Low Price (EDLP) - a term used to describe a consistently-priced product without a promotion applied
Expired - a term used to describe a product that has reached or exceeded its set expiration date. All products have an expiration.
Free Fill - a term used to describe a product sold at no cost to a retailer as an incentive to sell and continue to purchase a vendor’s product. Free fills allow retailers to test out a new product and offer the product at a discount to encourage consumers to try the item.
Freight on Board (FOB) - refers to the set of terms that determines who owns and pays for a shipment of products
GTIN (Global Trade Identification Number) - a number used by a company to uniquely identify all of its trade items; GTIN can be used to identify products at any packaging level, e.g. unit or case. GTINs are normally encoded in a scannable barcode (GS1, 2022).
Guaranteed Sale - refers to a contractual agreement through which a vendor agrees to take back unsold products at the end of a specified period. The vendor will be billed backed to ensure the retailer does not pay for unsold products.
In Stock - a term used to describe products that have sufficient inventory to fulfill outbound orders.
Item Code - a unique identifier for SKUs that helps retailers search products and order with ease. Item Code number is listed under each individual Published SKU in the Vendor Dashboard.
Launching Soon - a term used to describe a new product or SKU that shall become available to order in the near future. Previously referred to as “Coming Soon.”
Lead Time (Manufacturing Time) - days required to produce and initiate shipment of the requested amount of inventory from the date of request (not including transportation time).
Less Than Truckload (LTL) - refers to a freight service that allows multiple shippers to share a single truck given each load is not large enough to require the space of a full truck.
Lot Code - a unique identification number assigned to a specific and defined production period. Lot codes are used to identify manufactured goods and the chain of custody of their components t in the event of a quality or safety issue, such as a food recall.
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) - a term used to describe the price at which a manufacturer/vendor recommends a retailer charge for the sale of the product.
Market Withdrawal - a firm's removal or correction of a distributed product that involves a minor violation that would not be subject to legal action by the FDA or which involves no violation (FDA,2020).
Master Carton - Outermost box containing Case Packs; goods at its largest quantity other than a pallet.
Merchandising - refers to the practice of presenting retail products in a visually appealing manner to entice customers and encourage sales.
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) - refers to the lowest number of units a retailer must purchase atone time; also refers to the lowest total order value required for a retailer to be exempt from a small order surcharge.
Minimum Order Value (MOV) - refers to the lowest order value a retailer must meet at one time; also refers to the lowest total order value required for a retailer to be exempt from a small order surcharge.
Out of Stock (OOS) - a term used to describe a product as temporarily unavailable to fulfill out bound orders due to insufficient inventory.
POD (Proof of Delivery) - refers to the physical document that shows an order has been successfully delivered. Normally in the form of an invoice or BOL. PODs must be signed by the receiving customer tobe a valid proof of completed delivery.
Pod Direct - Pod Direct Ship Distribution program wherein vendors list their products on the Pod catalog to capture sales. Vendors are responsible for packing and shipping orders directly to the buyer's address.
Pod Express - Pod wholesale and distribution program. Vendors store inventory on consignment at partnering Distribution Centers; DCs are responsible for picking, packing, and delivering orders to retailers.
Pod Service Fee - the percentage of sales deducted from the price the retailer pays for the product. Pod does not markup. The Pod service fee is calculated like a margin off the wholesale price.
Product/Inventory Withdrawal - refers to a vendor’s act of removing inventory from a Distribution Center. Withdrawals require an approved request and an appointment.
Promotion - a discount-based sales strategy used to promote larger reorders of a product by retailers.
Pull Date - the date on which a lot of inventory is pulled, or made unavailable to fulfill orders. The pull date is based on a product’s pull date threshold (see below).
Pull Date Threshold - refers to a set amount of time that, when reached, triggers a product to be pulled from active inventory. Once pulled, the inventory cannot be used to fulfill orders.
Recall/Product Recall - a method of removing or correcting products that are in violation of laws administered by the FDA (FDA, 2020).
Voluntary Recall - Recall is a voluntary action that takes place because manufacturers and distributors carry out their responsibility to protect the public health and well-being from products that present a risk of injury or gross deception or are otherwise defective (FDA,2020)
Mandatory Recall - refers to an FDA-mandated removal or correction of products that are in violation of laws administered by the FDA (FDA, 2020)
Replenishment MOQ - refers to the minimum amount of product (in cases) that a vendor must ship toa Distribution Center.
Sampling - refers to the process through which a retailer submits a request to try a new product. Sampling requests are fulfilled with individual retail units, not full cases.
Shelf Life - a term used to describe the length of time for which a product can be stored and consumed or used by a consumer before its quality and safety begin to deteriorate. All products have a shelf life.
Short Dated - a term used to describe a product that has less than 40% of its shelf life remaining. Short-dated product is usually refused by retailers at delivery.
Slotting/Slotting Fee - refers to the fee paid by a vendor to a retailer in order to stock the product on the retailer’s shelf.
Sorting/Sorting Fee - warehouse process occasionally required for inbounds that arrive with damages. Damaged cases are sorted and segregated from sellable cases. Sorting fees normally apply; fees vary by warehouse.
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) - refers to a unique identifier for an item manufactured by a vendor and sold by a retailer. The term is commonly used to refer to a particular variation of a product.
Temporary Price Reduction (TPR) - a temporary decrease in price (promotion) for a predetermined period of time.
Traceability - a term used to describe the ability to track the origin and course of a lot, product, or ingredient.
Units - also referred to as eaches; units are singular pieces of product, normally the form in which consumers purchase an item. Pod and its Distribution Centers do not handle products in units; retailers receive multiple units as case packs and normally break down cases for merchandising.
2,3-butanedione (aka diacetyl)
2,3-heptanedione
2,3-hexanedione
2,3-pentanedione
Ace K
Acesulfame K
Acesulfame potassium
Acetoin (aka acetyl methyl carbinol)
Acetyl methyl carbinol (aka acetoin)
Acetylated esters of mono- and diglycerides—Grandmothered & Limited
Active Agave™
Advantame
Aerosol sprays with chlorofluorocarbon
Agave—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Allulose
Aluminum ammonium sulfate
Aluminum calcium silicate
Aluminum-containing additives
Aluminum potassium sulfate
Aluminum sodium phosphate
Aluminum sodium sulfate
Aluminum sulfate
Ammonium aluminum sulfate
Ammonium chloride
Ammonium phosphate (acceptable in beer and hard/spiked seltzer)
Animal-free milk protein
Anoxomer
Antibiotic and antifungal food preservatives
Antibiotics in animal food production
Apeel™
Apricot kernels (aka B-17)
Artificial butter flavor
Artificial emulsifiers
Artificial fats
Artificial flavors
Artificial preservatives
Artificial starch
Artificial sweeteners
Aspartame
Astaxanthin—artificial
Azo dyes
Azodicarbonamide
Benzoates in food
Benzoic acid in food
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzyl alcohol
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
Bioengineered (BE) labeled foods
Bleached flour
Bovaer®
Bromated flour
Bromates
Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
BST (bovine somatotropin) in fresh dairy products, excluding dips
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Butylparabens
Caffeine or stimulant herbs added to boost caffeine content or have a stimulant effect—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Calcium bromate
Calcium disodium EDTA
Calcium paraben
Calcium peroxide
Calcium propionate
Calcium saccharin
Calcium sorbate
Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate
Caprenin
Caprocaprylobehenin (aka caprenin)
Caramel colors II, III & IV
Carmine
Carrageenan—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
CBD
Cell-based meat, poultry or fish
Cell-based milk
Cell-cultured meat, poultry or fish
Cell-cultured milk
Certified colors
Chemically modified fats
Cloned animals—dairy, meat, fish and seafood
Cocoa butter substitute primarily from high-oleic safflower or sunflower oil
Cocoa butter substitute primarily from palm oil
Cottonseed oil
CRISPR gene-edited foods
Cultivated meat, poultry or fish
Cultivated milk
Cultured meat, poultry, or fish
DATEM (diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides)
Diacetyl
Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (DATEM)
Dilauryl thiodipropionate
Dimethicone
Dimethyl decarbonate
Dimethylpolysiloxane
Dimethylsilicone fluid
Dimethylsilicone oil
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS)
Disodium calcium EDTA
Disodium dihydrogen EDTA
Disodium guanylate
Disodium inosinate
Dodecyl 4-hydroxybenzoate ethyl paraben
Dodecyl gallate
Dough conditioners—chemical
Edipeel™
EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid)
Encapsulated acids—Grandmothered & Limited
Encapsulated citric acid
Encapsulated lactic acid
Energy drinks that contain added caffeine and/or other stimulants, such as theobromine and gaurana
EPG (modified plant-based oil)
Erythorbic acid
Erythrosine (aka Red #3)
Esterified propoxylated glycerol (EPG)
Ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides—Grandmothered & Limited
Ethoxyquin
Ethyl vanillin
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
Ethylparabens
EverSweet™
FD&C food colors
Flour bleaching agents & chemical dough conditioners
Foie gras
Fresh dairy products from confinement dairies
Fresh dairy products from cows given rBGH/rBST
Fructose—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Fully-hydrogenated oils
Glucose-fructose syrup
Glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
GM (Genetically Modified) salmon or any other GM animal/seafood product
GMO hemp
GMO hormones (in fresh dairy products)
GMO-produced stevia glycosides
GMOs—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Growth promotants
Guarana—added to food products
Hepta-, hexa-, and octa-esters of sucrose (aka Olestra)
Heptyl paraben
Hexamidine diparaben
Hexamidine paraben
High fructose corn syrup
Hydrogenated oil
Impossible™ Burger
Interesterified fats/oils
Iron oxide—synthetic and non-synthetic
Irradiated foods
Isobutylparaben
Isoglucose
Lab-grown meat
Lab-grown milk protein
Lactylated esters of mono- and diglycerides—Grandmothered & Limited
Lead soldered cans
Lean Finely Textured Beef (LFTB)
Legume-based protein with glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
Legumes with glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
Litesse®
Magnesium silicate
Malic acid—synthetic—Grandmothered & Limited
Methyl silicon
Methylcellulose—Grandmothered & Limited
Methylene chloride
Methylparaben
Mica-based pearlescent pigments
Mineral oil
Modified food starches (modified corn starch, tapioca starch, potato starch, wheat starch, etc.)—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Mono- and diglycerides—Grandmothered & Limited
Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids—Grandmothered & Limited
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
mRNA and/or genetically engineered vaccines – fresh and frozen meat, dairy, or egg products from animals vaccinated with an mRNA and/or genetically engineered vaccine
Mycose (aka trehalose or tremalose)
Natamycin (aka pimaricin)
Natural flavors—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Necta Sweet®
Neotame
Newtame®
Nisin
Nitrates
Nitrites
n-octyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Non-animal whey protein
Non-organic produce
Oats with glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
Octyl gallate
Oil, solvent extracted (as a stand alone ingredient)
Olestra
Organipeel™
Oxystearin
Parabens
Partially hydrogenated oil
Pea protein with glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
Peas with glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
Pentyl paraben
Petrolatum
Phenoxyethylparaben
Phenyl paraben
Phosphates
Phosphoric acid
Pimaricin (aka Natamycin)
Pink Slime
Polydextrose
Polydimethylsiloxane
Polyglycitol syrup
Polysorbates (10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, etc.)—in foods
Potassium aluminum sulfate
Potassium benzoate
Potassium bisulfite
Potassium bromate
Potassium butylparaben
Potassium metabisulfite
Potassium nitrate
Potassium paraben
Potassium propylparaben
Potassium sorbate in food
Propionates
Propionic acid
Propyl gallate
Propylene glycol
Propylene oxide (PPO) pasteurized almonds—All Natural Grocers bulk almonds, including trail mixes and the nuts used to make almond butter are PPO free
Propylparaben
Pure Via™
Pyroligneous acid—artificial
Ractopamine
rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone)
Reb D (GMO derived)
Reb M (GMO derived)
Rebiana
Red #3 (erythrosine)
Resistant starch type 4
RNA interference (RNAi)
Saccharin
Slaughter-free meat, poultry or fish
Sodium aluminosilicate
Sodium aluminum phosphate
Sodium aluminum silicate
Sodium aluminum sulfate
Sodium benzoates
Sodium bisulfite
Sodium butylparaben
Sodium diacetate
Sodium erythorbate
Sodium ethylparaben
Sodium glutamate
Sodium hexametaphosphate
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Sodium metabisulfite
Sodium methylparaben
Sodium nitrate/nitrite
Sodium propionate
Sodium propylparaben
Sodium saccharin
Sodium silicoaluminate
Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (aka SSL)
Sodium sulfite
Sodium thiosulfate
Sodium tripolyphosphate
Solvent extracted oils as standalone ingredient
Sorbic acid in food
Soy leghemoglobin
Soy protein with glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
Soybeans with glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
STA-LITE®
Stannous chloride
Steviol glycosides (GMO produced)
Sucralose
Sucroglycerides
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate
Sucrose polyester (aka Olestra)
Sugar Twin®
Sulfites
Sunette®
Sweet ‘n Low®
Sweet One®
Synthetic colors
Synthetic fibers
Talc (magnesium silicate)
Tara gum
TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)
Tea and tisanes in tea bag wrappers made with petroleum-based plastic—Grandmothered & Limited
Tea and tisanes in tea bags made with petroleum-based plastic—Grandmothered & Limited
Tetrasodium EDTA
Theobromine—as an added ingredient
Titanium dioxide—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Toasted partially defatted cooked cottonseed flour
Trans fats—man made
Transglutaminase
TREHA® (aka trehalose or mycose)
Trehalose (aka mycose or tremalose)
Tremalose (aka trehalose or mycose)
Truvia®
Ultramarine blue
Undecylenoyl PEG-5 paraben
Vanillin—artificial
Vanillin or vanilla made from GMO microorganisms
Wheat with glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
1,4-benzenediol
1,4-dihydroxybenzene
2-Bromo-2-Nitropane-1, 3-Diol
4-hydroxyphenol
Ace K
Acesulfame K
Acesulfame Postassium
Acetone
Acetylated esters of mono- and diglycerides
Advantame
Agave—added as a sweetener
Alcloxa
Aluminum**
Aluminum and aluminum-containing ingredients that can be absorbed through the skin**
Aluminum chloride
Aluminum chlorohydrate
Aluminum zirconium
Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly
Antibiotic-based soaps, body washes, wipes, toothpastes, and hand sanitizers
Artificial flavors
Artificial fragrances
Artificial sweeteners
Aspartame
Avobenzone
Benzalkonium chloride
Benzethonium chloride
Benzisothiazolinone (BIT)
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene, butylhydroxytoluene)
Bismuth oxychloride
Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
Butyl benzyl phthalate
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Butylparabens
Butylphenyl methylpropional—Grandmothered & Limited
Calcium paraben
Calcium saccharin
Certified colors**
Chemical-Based Sunscreens
Chlorhexidine gluconate
Chloroxylenol (PCMX)
Coal tar
Cocoa butter substitute primarily from high-oleic safflower or sunflower oil
Cocoa butter substitute primarily from palm oil
Cyclic siloxanes
Cyclopentasiloxane (D5)
D&C color additives**
D3 (hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane)
D4 (Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane)
D5 (Cyclopentasiloxane or Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane)
D6 (Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane)
DATEM (diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides)
DBP (dibutyl phthalate)
Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5)
DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide)
DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate)
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
DEP (diethyl phthalate)
DHEA
Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
Di (N-hexyl) phthalate
Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (DATEM)
Diazolidinyl urea
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
Dicyclohexyl phthalate
Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
Diisobutyl phthalate
Diisodecyl phthalate
Diisononyl phthalate
Dimethyl phthalate (DMP)
Dioctyl phthalate
Dipentyl phthalate
Disodium EDTA
DMDM Hydantoin
DMP (dimethyl phthalate)
Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)
Dodecyl 4-hydroxybenzoate Ethyl paraben
EDTA - all forms
Ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides
Ethylparabens
FD&C color additives**
Formaldehyde & formaldehyde donors
Glyoxal
GMO-derived trehalose
GMO hemp
Heptyl paraben
Hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D3)
Hexamidine Diparaben
Hexamidine paraben
Homosalate
Hydrogenated oils/fats—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Hydroquinone
Imidazolidinyl urea
Interesterfied fats
Isobutylparaben
Isopropyl alcohol**
Isopropylparaben
Isothiazolinones
Kathon
Lactylated esters of mono- and diglycerides
Lilial
Magnesium silicate (talc)
Methanediol
Methenamine
Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
Methylisothiazolinone (MI/MIT)
Methylparabens
Mineral oil, petroleum, & petrolatum
Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (aka mono- and diglycerides)
n-Octyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Necta Sweet®
Neotame
Newtame®
Nisin
Nonylphenol (NP)
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE)
Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4)
Octinoxate
Octisalate
Octocrylene
Octylisothiazolinone
Oxybenzone
Oxystearin
P-dioxybenzene
P-hydroxyphenol
Parabens
Para-chloro-meta-xylenol (PCMX)
Partially hydrogenated oil (source of trans fats)—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Pentyl paraben
Phenoxyethanol—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Phenoxyethylparaben
Phenyl paraben
Phthalate esters
Phthalates
Phthalic acid
Polyoxymethylene urea
Potassium butylparaben
Potassium paraben
Potassium propylparaben
Pregnenolone
Propylparabens
Quaternium 15
Saccharin
Sodium butylparaben
Sodium ethylparaben
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
Sodium methylparaben
Sodium propylparaben
Sodium saccharin
Squalene sourced from shark
Sucralose
Sugar Twin®
Sunett®
Sweet and Low®
Sweet One®
Synthetic colors**
Talc (magnesium silicate)
Testosterone cream
Tetrasodium EDTA
Titanium dioxide in lip and oral care products—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Toluene
Trans fats—man made
Triclosan
Undecylenoyl PEG-5 paraben
Urea, polymer with formaldehyde, isobutylated
Vanillin or vanilla—made from GMO microorganisms
2,3-butanedione (aka diacetyl)
2,3-heptanedione
2,3-hexanedione
2,3-pentanedione
7-KETO
Ace K
Acesulfame K
Acesulfame postassium
Acetoin (aka acetyl methyl carbinol)
Acetyl methyl carbinol (aka acetoin)
Acetylated esters of mono- and diglycerides—Grandmothered & LImited
Active Agave™
Advantame
Agave—added as a sweetener—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
all-rac-alpha-tocopherol
all-rac-alpha tocopheryl
Allulose
Animal-free milk protein
Annona muricata
Anoxomer
Apricot kernels (aka B-17)
Apricot seed
Artifical butter flavor
Artificial fats
Artificial flavors
Artificial sweeteners
Aspartame
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium)
Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Butylparabens
Caffeine or stimulant herbs added to boost caffeine content or have a stimulant effect—Grandmothered & Limited
Calcium disodium EDTA
Calcium paraben
Calcium propionate
Calcium saccharin
Caramel colors II, III, and IV
Carmine
CBD (limited as state law permits)
Cell-based milk
Cell-cultured milk
Certified colors
Chaparral (Larrea tridentata)
Chemically modified fats - excepting conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
Citrus aurantium (Bitter orange)
Cocoa butter substitute primarily from high-oleic safflower or sunflower oil
Cocoa butter substitute primarily from palm oil
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), internal sources
Creosote
Cultivated milk
D&C color additives
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
DHA derived from GM salmon or any other GM fish/seafood
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
Diacetyl
Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (DATEM)
Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Dilauryl thiodiproprionate
Dimethyl decarbonate
Disodium calcium EDTA
Disodium dihydrogen EDTA
dl-alpha-tocopheral acetate
dl-alpha-tocopheral succinate
dl-alpha-tocopherol
DL-alpha-tocopherol
DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate
DL-alpha-tocopherol succinate
dl-alpha-tocopheryl
DL-alpha-tocopheryl
Dodecyl 4-hydroxybenzoate Ethyl paraben
Dodecyl gallate
EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
EPA derived from GM salmon or any other GM fish/seafood
EPG (modified plant-based oil)
Erythorbic acid
Esterified propoxylated glycerol (EPG)
Ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides—Grandmothered & Limited
Ethoxyquin
Ethyl vanillin
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
Ethylparabens
EverSweet™
Fish oil derived from GM salmon or any other GM fish/seafood
Fully hydrogenated oils
Genetically modified (GM) salmon or any other GM animal/seafood products
Germanium
Glycols
Glyphosate residues—Grandmothered & Limited
GMO hemp
GMO-produced stevia glycosides
Graviola (Annona muricata)
Greasewood
Guanabana
Guarana—Grandmothered & Limited Ingredient
Heptyl paraben
Hexamidine diparaben
Hexamidine paraben
HGH
Human growth hormone (hGH)
Hydrogenated oils
Interesterified fats
Iron oxide
Isobutylparaben
Kola Nut (Cola acuminata/Cola nitada)—Grandmothered & Limited
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)
Krill oil derived from GM krill
Lab-grown milk protein
Lactylated esters of mono- and diglycerides
Larrea tridentata
Legume-based protein with glyphosate residue
Malic acid—synthetic—Grandmothered & Limited
Methylparabens—Grandmothered & Limited
Methylsynephrine
Mitragyna speciosa
Mono- and diglycerides—Grandmothered & Limited
Necta Sweet®
Neotame
Newtame®
n-Octyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Non-animal whey protein
Oats with glyphosate residue
Octyl gallate
Oxilofrine
Oxystearin
p-hydroxyephedrine
Parabens
Partially hydrogenated oil (source of trans fats)--Excepting conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
Pea protein with glyphosate residue
Pentyl paraben
Phase 2®
Phaseolus vulgaris L.
Phenoxyethylparaben
Phenyl paraben
Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
Polyglycitol syrup
Polysorbates (10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, etc.)—Grandmothered & Limited
Potassium butylparaben
Potassium iodide/High dose iodine
Potassium paraben
Potassium propylparaben
Pregnenolone
Preservatives*
Propionates (calcium or sodium)
Propionic acid
Propyl gallate
Propylene glycol alginate
Propylparabens
PureVia®
Raspberry ketones
Reb D (GMO derived)
Reb M (GMO derived)
Saccharin
Salmon oil derived from GM salmon
Sodium butylparaben
Sodium chlorite
Sodium erythorbate
Sodium ethylparaben
Sodium methylparaben
Sodium propionate
Sodium propylparaben
Sodium saccharin
Soursop
Soy leghemoglobin
Soy protein with glyphosate residue
Stannous chloride
Steviol glycosides—GMO-produced stevia glycosides
Sucralose
Sugar Twin®
Sunett®
Sweet and Low®
Sweet One®
Symphytum officinale
Synthetic colors
Synthetic vitamin E
Testosterone cream
Tetrasodium EDTA
Titanium dioxide—Grandmothered & Limited
Trans fats (man made)—Excepting conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
Trehalose
Undecylenic acid—Grandmothered & Limited
Undecylenoyl PEG-5 paraben
Vanillin—artificial
Vanillin or vanilla—made from GMO microorganisms
White kidney bean
Natural Flavors may or may not contain solvents, carriers, or preservatives. Below is a list of some commonly submitted allowed and declined ingredients in Natural Flavors. Ingredients may be added to this list as new information becomes available.
SOLVENTS
Allowed Solvents:
Water
Natural Ethanol
Super-Critical Carbon Dioxide Authentic Essential Oil Natural Vegetable Oils
Ethyl Acetate Silicon Dioxide
Declined Solvents:
Hydrocarbon solvents Chlorinated solvents Halogenated solvents Propylene glycol
Triglycerides (examples: propane, hexane, freon) Acetone
Ethylene dichloride Hexane
Isopropyl alcohol Methyl alcohol Methylene chloride Trichloroethylene
Turmeric Oleoresin (any oleoresin including paprika oleoresin) is not allowed unless the supplier can confirm they are organic or that ethyl alcohol is the solvent. Also allowed if no substitute ingredient is available and the product is going to be core.
CARRIERS
Carriers must comply with 205.605 OR 205.606 of the NOP’s National List or be listed below. Allowed Carriers:
Acetic Acid Alcohol Ascorbic Acid
Ethanol (even if it doesn't say "natural") Benzyl Alcohol
Ethyl Alcohol
Gum Arabic or Arabic gum (same thing) Glycerin or Glycerol (same thing)
Juices: grape juice concentrate, pineapple concentrate, strawberry concentrate, plum juice concentrate, etc.
Maltodextrin (including corn, potato, and tapioca) Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT)
Potato Maltodextrin (or Dextrin for short) Silicon Dioxide
Tapioca Dextrin Tapioca Starch Tragacanth Gum
Vegetable oils: canola oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, etc. Water Declined Carriers:
Benzoic acid
DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)
Modified Food Starch (unless it meets MFS Guidance doc/decision tree) Mono and Diglycerides
Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids Polysorbate 80
Propylene Glycol Triacetin
1,3 Propanediol
PRESERVATIVES
Preservatives must comply with 205.605 OR 205.606 of the NOP’s National List or be listed below.
OTHER ALLOWED SUB-INGREDIENTS
4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (= furaneol)
OTHER DECLINED SUB-INGREDIENTS
Triethyl Citrate
Ethyl 2-hydroxy Propanoate Sorbitol
Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acids
NGVC’s goal with our Added Caffeine Standard is to be fully transparent with customers and ensure they are not buying products that they would otherwise assume do not contain caffeine. Many products contain naturally occurring caffeine (e.g. kombucha, coffee, tea) and/or added caffeine and maintain their nutritional benefits. This standard is in place to help guide between gray areas on new products where added caffeine is concerned.
NGVC will allow added caffeine to select food products on a case by case basis which adhere to ALL of the following standards:
The added caffeine must be derived from a well-known plant-based source (e.g. green tea extract, coffee, yerba mate) that falls under our definition of Natural Caffeine*.
We reserve the right to analyze the Country of Origin for the plant to assess that it is being sourced from environmentally and socially sustainable locations (e.g. Fair Trade certifications).
The total caffeine (naturally occurring and added) must be not be higher than 200 mg per serving (approximately 1 cup of coffee). A mug of filtered coffee (125 mL) contains 173.25 mg of caffeine. Gaascht F, Dicato M, Diederich M.
The added caffeine must be labeled clearly on the product.
It must list the amount of caffeine per serving on the product.
It must list the plant-based source the caffeine is derived from on the product.
*Definition of Natural Caffeine:
Natural Caffeine must be derived from a well-known plant-based source (e.g. green tea extract, coffee, yerba mate). It cannot be created in a lab and/or come from synthetic ingredients or derivatives.
Note Regarding Guarana in Food:
Guarana is climbing plant from the Amazon basin known for the seeds from its fruit and is widely used as a dietary supplement. Its seeds contain approximately four times the amount of caffeine as coffee beans. It is most commonly found in energy drinks.
NGVC does not allow Guarana as an ingredient to any energy drinks. Unlike well-known forms of caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea) Guarana is not naturally occurring/consumed by itself in food (e.g. brewed as a beverage or eaten as snack). When it appears in food products it is added specifically. NGVC does not approve any food/drink with Guarana listed as an ingredient. The acceptable circumstances for approval of caffeine extracted from Guarana are listed below. Pure caffeine extracted from Guarana would be viewed similarly to green tea extract or another form of extracted plant-based caffeine and therefore would be acceptable on a case by case basis if it meets the criteria below.
NGVC may allow caffeine extracted/derived from Guarana as an ingredient to select food products on a case by case basis which adhere to the following standards:
It is pure caffeine extracted from the Guarana plant (similar to green tea extract)
The total caffeine must not be higher than 200 mg per serving (approximately 1 cup of coffee).
It is labeled as caffeine clearly on the product.
It must list the amount of caffeine per serving on the product.
It must list Guarana as the source the caffeine is derived from on the product.
Vitamins Note:
The science examining Guarana and how it affects other dietary ingredients is lacking. No new Vitamins products with Guarana as an added ingredient are accepted. It is currently only offered as:
A single supplement (Guarana capsules)
Grandmothered in energy, weight loss and/or sports supplements already in the Vitamins Department.
