Why Look for Plant Based Certified?
Health, Animal Rights, Concern for the Environment, Dietary Restrictions, Vegetarian, Vegan.
An increasing number of people are seeking out plant-based foods as a staple to their diet. Companies know this and so an increasing number of products are being marked as friendly to or marketed as meeting the expectation to those seeking a plant-based or vegan diet.
Companies, however, can state that their products are “all-natural” or “non-dairy” or a host of other terms without actually being completely free of animal derived ingredients. In fact, under a certain quantity, some products are not required to be included on the ingredient list. Other animal by-product ingredients have names that mask their actual origin.
When a product is marked with Global Plant Based Certified, it means that the product has not only proven that all of its ingredients are plant derived, but that the company is in constant communication with our oversite organization. Additionally, the companies baring the Global Plant Based Certified agree allow inspections that guarantee that no short-cuts are being taken and the products remain 100% plant based.
What is the difference between “plant-based” and “vegan”?
A plant-based diet is made up primarily of foods derived from plants which includes vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits and nuts. Those who follow a plant-based diet are not expected to cut out all animal products, but to center their diet largely around more foods from plant sources. The term plant based addresses a wider audience who are making dietary choices for a wide variety of reasons. A vegan diet is similar but abstains from eating any animal products and connotates a specific lifestyle choice and is often assumed to be connected to a specific set of ethos.