Certified Paleo Standards 2023

In loose terms, the Paleo Diet is a diet based on the types of foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans before the advent of agriculture. These foods included meat and seafood, nuts and seeds, roots and tubers, and fruits and berries. The diet of our ancient Paleolithic ancestors presumably excluded dairy, grains, and highly refined foods.

Unfortunately, the food landscape has changed significantly in the past 10,000 years, which makes defining items that fall into the 21st century Paleo Diet difficult. Because the diet is theoretical and up for broad interpretation, no single unified ‘Paleo Diet’ definition exists, and disagreements over specific food items and processing among the Paleo Community are common.

However, in the development of Certified Paleo Standards, The Paleo Foundation included ingredients and foods that meet the basic tenets of the Paleo Diet, while allowing for some 21st century considerations. One of the most significant considerations is increasing the tolerability of the restrictive Paleo Diet, as tolerability is widely considered the most critical factor for diet acceptance and adherence. Thus, improving the palatability, availability, affordability, and convenience factors of Paleo foods is crucial to preventing diet discontinuation in people for whom the diet is medically necessary.

Certified Paleo products are uniquely positioned to improve the Paleo Diet’s tolerability. As such, the program is aligned with The Paleo Foundation’s mission to help improve the tolerability of the Paleo Diet.

The “Certified Paleo” Requirements for Grain-Free, Legume-Free, Dairy-Free, Artificial Coloring, Artificial Preservatives, Artificial Sweeteners and Artificial Flavor Enhancers-Free Products are outlined herein. These standards apply to all products certified by The Paleo Foundation for the Certified Paleo Program. Only certified Products following these standards are explicitly given the rights to use Certified Paleo logos, trademarks, certification marks, or other design marks hereinafter referred to as “Certified Paleo label”.

1.1 Applicability. The Certified Paleo label was developed and trademarked by The Paleo Foundation to identify food products that meet the standards of the paleo diet. The Certified Paleo Label is a certification mark registered with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office, and its use is only permitted by those who have entered into a contractual agreement with The Paleo Foundation. The Certified Paleo Label was designed to establish an easily identifiable mark indicating that a product has met the strictures of a paleo diet template. Certified Paleo requirements may be amended periodically based on current research.

1.2.1 Promotional Materials. The Certified Paleo label is allowed to be used on the packaging, promotional materials, point-of-purchase materials, websites, sales literature, banners, company stationery, and other advertising materials. Use of the Certified Paleo label must comply with the guidelines as outlined in this document. If a company wishes to present the logos in a manner other than as described in Statement of Use Guidelines, The Paleo Foundation must approve the request and give permission in writing to the Producer.

1.2.2 Display. Producers may display the Certified Paleo label only on certified products.

1.2.3 Agreement. Producers must have a contractual agreement with The Paleo Foundation to use the Certified Paleo label.

1.2.4 Stationary. Producers may only use the trademark on company stationery if the entire product line has been audited and Certified Paleo.

1.2.5 Logo Placement. Producers may display the Certified Paleo label on their entire website if the entire product line has been audited and Certified Paleo. If the entire product line was not certified, the Certified Paleo label may appear on a page containing the audited and certified products only.

2. Grain-Free

2.0.1 Grains. All Products must not contain Grains or Pseudograins. Disallowed Grains include, but are not limited to: