5 clean baby brands with the Clean Label Project Purity Award

Of course, you want nothing but the very best for your baby—and that includes pure, safe infant products with clean ingredients that don’t contain a laundry list of things that you can’t even pronounce. While you can certainly do your own research by browsing the ingredient labels on each and every product you buy, you can also look to the Clean Label Project for their reputable research. We’re sharing five clean baby food brands who have received the Clean Label Project Purity Award-certifying the highest level of transparency and purity.

What is the Clean Label Project?

Clean Label Project is an independent nonprofit organization that certifies to the quality and standards of brands that create products free of environmental toxins and contaminants like pesticides, which have been linked to a myriad of diseases, including cancer. The Clean Label Project Purity Award praises brands who are transparent with consumers about what’s in their products while simultaneously meeting the rigorous standards set by the nonprofit. 

America’s families deserve the facts. Tell me the truth and back it up with science. That’s the Clean Label Project. More of the good stuff, less of the bad stuff— In data and science we trust. 

Jackie Bowen, Executive Director, Clean Label Project

Heavy metals in baby formula and baby food

Jackie Bowen spoke candidly on an IG live titled Formula is Food, Why Ingredients Matter. She talked about why Clean Label’s level of transparency is important, especially due to the food regulation in our country that allows for concerning levels of metals in the foods and products that are sold to American consumers. In fact, a 2021 Congressional report found that baby foods, in particular, may be tainted with high levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, which can have neurotoxic effects on babies and young children. 

Baby’s first 1000 days

Bowen reminded us that when it comes to infant formula and baby food, “the World Health Organization says the first 1000 days are critical to long term health and wellness. It’s a window of opportunity where optimum brain and immune system development are formed. We have to make sure they have less exposure to the bad stuff, but also more of the good stuff to be healthy.”

When it comes to what you want to feed and use to care for your baby, you deserve nothing but the very best. That’s why we’re happy to share with you a list of five impressive baby brands that have earned the prestigious Clean Label Project Purity Award. 

Bobbie EU Style organic baby formula

As the first USDA organic, non-GMO, European-style infant formula manufactured within the United States that meets FDA requirements, Bobbie has already established a standard that has made it unique. With the addition of the Clean Label Project Purity Award as well as the Pesticide-Free certification, it has officially stepped into superior territory: becoming the very first infant formula to receive both awards. Brought to life by a team of moms, many of whom are food scientists, medical experts and regulatory specialists, who were disappointed in the formula options available to their babies, Bobbie set out to go beyond the typical standards allowed in the industry. The formula is made with pasture-raised dairy from a co-op of small family farms across the U.S., DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid that’s vital for the growth and development of brains in infants) sourced from a longtime industry leader in sustainable algal oil production and fats from USDA organic, plant-based and solvent-free oils. 

Formula is the exclusive form of nourishment during the critical period of brain and immune system development. Now families have a new option with increased peace of mind with Bobbie— which has been tested for over 400 industrial and environmental contaminants and toxins including heavy metals, pesticides, and plastics, and is a recipient of the Clean Label Project Purity Award and Pesticide-Free certification.

Jackie Bowen

Once Upon a Farm Organic Baby Food and Kids Snack Brand

Famously co-founded by beloved American actress, Jennifer Garner, Once Upon a Farm’s claim to fame goes well beyond Jen. Just one glance at their ingredient list and you can tell the difference between this brand of baby food when compared to so many others on the market. In short, what you see is what you get: whole ingredients that are cold-pressed, nutrient-rich and a blend of baby food that’s formulated without added sugar, dairy, preservatives, GMOs or anything artificial—whatsoever. The brand earned The Clean Label Project Purity Award which means it has been tested for more than 400 environmental and industrial toxins, including heavy metals. They are also the first brand to receive the 1,000 Day Promise Certification for their Advanced Nutrition Blends.

What’s more: Their pouches are actually delicious so your kids will truly enjoy them. 

Cerebelly Organic Purees and Smart Bars

One of the the most recent baby brands to receive The Clean Label Project Purity Award, Cerebelly was founded in 2019 by a Canadian mom (and neurosurgeon) who knows well the importance of fueling a baby’s brain with the proper nutrients critical for early development. When she had difficulty finding baby food pouches for her own children, she started making them from scratch—grinding up sunflower seeds, steaming vegetables and mixing them together with whole-fat yogurt. While she solved the problem within her own home, she couldn’t ignore that so many other families did not have access to the same nutrition for their children. Now available in grocery stores nationwide, Cerebelly is formulated with 16 essential nutrients for healthy brain development.

On the packaging front, in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle (and environmentally conscious families), Cerebelly has achieved a major milestone of 100,000 pouches recycled. As of Earth Day 2022, Cerebelly’s waste collection is expected to reach 110,000 pouches recycled.

Information can be found here regarding Cerebelly’s voluntary recall in 2023.

Yumi Organic Baby Food, Snacks and Vitamins

Organic, kosher, freshly made, and dense with all the important nutrients your baby needs to thrive in those first few years, it’s clear to see why this baby food delivery service was given The Clean Label Project Purity Award. Yumi utilizes an 8-step process of introducing foods to baby using simple ingredients that are all USDA organic, created by actual chefs and are free of gluten, dairy, preservatives, common allergens and added sugars. Oh, and they offer free shipping to boot!

Little Spoon Organic Baby Food, Toddler and Kid’s Meals

Little Spoon is the first, national, baby food and childhood wellness brand that delivers nutritious, organic and convenient baby food right to your door. They recently received The Clean Label Project Purity Award and it’s easy to see why they’ve taken off with the parenting set. From purees to full meals, Little Spoon is a great choice for families with more than one child, since you can order both baby and toddler meals. All are organic, non-GMO and made with fresh ingredients. They also have an all-natural vitamins line formulated with clean, all-natural ingredients that you can trust.

Within the baby food and infant formula space, less than two dozen brands have been able to make the commitment and achieve the strict Clean Label Project certification requirements. What’s inspiring is that more brands are recognizing the importance and joining the Clean Label Project in this consumer movement. 

Jackie Bowen