Keto Certified is the world’s first and most popular Keto Diet Certification program. The Keto Certified Program Standards were designed to standardize Keto claims while improving the quality of available Keto Foods on the market.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Keto Certified Standards for products were developed for adherence to a classical ketogenic diet. However, it must be noted that the ketogenic diet can be difficult to maintain, and tolerability of the ketogenic diet is the single-most important factor limiting individual acceptance and sustainability according to the findings of Keto Diet Research. Therefore, improving palatability, availability, affordability, and convenience of compliant foods is crucial to preventing diet discontinuation in cases of medical necessity.
Keto Certified products are in a unique position to improve tolerability of the ketogenic diet as they each improve factors of palatability, convenience, and availability. This is especially true in social and cultural environments that typically feature carbohydrate-rich “special occasion” types of foods. Thus, the importance of product producers in improving tolerability of the Ketogenic Diet can never be overstated.
The Keto Certified Standards are and Keto Certified label are aligned with The Paleo Foundation mission to help improve the tolerability of the Ketogenic Diet via improved convenience factors.
FACTORS INFLUENCING TOLERABILITY OF THE KETO DIET
1. THE KETO CERTIFIED STANDARDS
The Keto Certified Standards are outlined herein. These standards apply to all products certified by The Paleo Foundation for the the Keto Certified Program. Only certified Products following these standards are explicitly given the rights to use Keto Certified logos, trademarks, certification marks, or other design marks hereinafter referred to as “Keto Certified label”.
1.1 KETO CERTIFIED STANDARDS APPLICABILITY
The Keto Certified label was developed and trademarked by The Paleo Foundation Inc. to identify food products that meet the standards of the Ketogenic Diet. The Keto Certified Label is a certification mark and its use is only permitted by those who have entered into a contractual agreement with The Paleo Foundation Inc. The Keto Certified Label was designed to establish an easily identifiable mark indicating that a product has met the strictures of the Ketogenic Diet and merit use of the Keto Certified Label.
1.2 KETO CERTIFIED LABEL GUIDELINES
1.2.1
The Keto Certified label is allowed to be used on packaging, promotional materials, point of purchase materials, websites, sales literature, banners, company stationery, and other advertising materials. Use of the Keto Certified 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
Producers may display the Keto CertifiedTM label only on products that have been certified by The Paleo Foundation.
1.2.3
Producers must have a contractual agreement with The Paleo Foundation to use the Keto Certified label.
1.2.4
Producers may only use the trademark on company stationery if the entire product line has been audited and Keto Certified.
1.2.5
If the entire product line has been audited and certified Keto Certified, Producers may display the Keto Certified label on their entire website.
1.2.6
If the entire product line was not certified, the Keto Certified label may appear on a page containing audited and certified Keto Certified products only.
1.2.7
Products that have not been audited and certified Keto Certified are not permitted to appear on the same page as the Keto Certified label, as this could be misleading to consumers.
1.3 USE OF THE KETO CERTIFIED LABEL
1.3.1
To complete the application process, the applicant must sign an affidavit stating that all answers and statements provided in their application were true to the best of their knowledge.
1.3.2
Use of the Keto Certified label is only permitted after audit and certification by The Paleo Foundation of the applicant’s products.
1.3.3
The Paleo Foundation retains the right to inspect the producer’s products to verify that all Requirements are met.
1.3.4
Use of The Keto Certified label for any product which does not meet each of the Keto Certified Requirements, has not been audited, or has not been given explicit permission is strictly prohibited.
1.3.5
Misuse of The Keto CertifiedTM Label will result in immediate suspension of the agreement and/or prosecution.
1.3.7
The Keto Certified label must be :
⓵ Upright
⓶ Complete
⓷ Clearly Visible
2. KETO CERTIFIED STANDARDS FOR CARBOHYDRATES
2.1
Meal and Meal Replacement Products must not contain more than 10g net/effective carbohydrates per serving. For products which contain largely whole unprocessed ingredients or ingredients with reduced digestibility, a 12g net carbohydrate per serving is permissible for use of the Keto Certified label.
2.2
Snack Products must not contain more than 6g net/effective carbohydrates per serving. For products which contain largely whole unprocessed ingredients or ingredients with reduced digestibility, an 8g net carbohydrate per serving is permissible for use of the Keto Certified label.
2.3
Condiments must not contain more than 6g net/effective carbohydrates per serving. For products which contain largely whole unprocessed ingredients or ingredients with reduced digestibility, an 8g net carbohydrate per serving is permissible for use of the Keto Certified label.
2.4
Auxiliary Category products are those which do not fit the “normal use” criteria of meals, meal replacements, snack products, or condiments. Auxiliary Category products must not contain more than 10% carbohydrate content of the total product.
2.2 PREBIOTIC FIBER
2.2.1.
Prebiotic fiber is adjusted for when net carbohydrate is calculated for Keto Certification eligibility. Product formulations may be required for accurate dietary fiber calculations.
3. ALLOWED INGREDIENTS
3.1
The following ingredients are eligible for use of the Keto Certified label, provided that they do not exceed total carbohydrate criteria. Allowed Ingredients will be amended from time to time as necessary. These ingredients include, but are not limited to:
Meats and Seafood
All meats and seafood are allowed in the Keto Certified program.
Fruits and Vegetables
All vegetables and fruits including berries are allowed provided that they meet the carbohydrate requirements of the Keto Certified Program.
Nuts and Seeds
All nuts and seeds are allowed.
Dairy
All Dairy is allowed. Full fat dairy is ideal.
Protein
Gelatin, Collagen, Bone Broths, Protein concentrates, isolates, and hydrolysates including whey, casein, egg white, pea, chickpea, soy, peanut, and hemp proteins.
Milks
All nut milks are allowed. Other allowed milks include, but are not limited to: Hemp Milk, Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Cashew Milk, Rice milk, Soy milk, and Tiger nut Milk.
Oils and Fats
All animal fats and nut oils are allowed. Other allowed oils include Red Palm Oil*, Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, High-Oleic Sunflower Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Peanut Butter.
Flavors and Coloring
Allowed flavors include essential oils, oleoresins, extracts*, distillates*, and ingredients that contain flavoring derived from spices, fruits, vegetables and other plant material, meat or insect derivatives, insect oils, and stearic acid*.
Sweeteners
Honey, stevia, coconut sugar, date sugar, fruit juice, monk fruit, lo han guo, inulin, cane sugar, allulose, and sugar alcohols are allowed except for Maltitol.
Supplements
Allowed Supplements include but are not limited to Vitamin and Mineral supplements, MCT oil, Omega 3s, Vitamin D, Digestive enzymes, Exogenous Ketones, Electrolytes, Creatine, Caffeine, HMB, BCAAs.
Chocolate
Chocolate and cocoa powder are allowed in Keto Certified Products provided that the end-product meets the carbohydrate requirements of the Keto Certified Program.
Coffee and Teas
All coffees and teas are allowed in the Keto Certified Program.
Stabilizers and Emulsifiers
All food-grade hydrocolloids, anti-caking agents, stabilizers, and emulsifiers are permissible.
Spices
All spices are allowed.
*Source, Substrate, and Amount dependent
4. APPLICABILITY OF EXOGENOUS KETONES
4.1
Exogenous Ketone Supplementation is allowed in the Keto Certified program, provided that the Ketones are naturally-derived beta hydroxybutyrate compounds, such as beta hydroxybutyrate mineral salts, and medium-chain triglycerides. Qualification for Ketone esters are not included in the Keto Certified program at this time, but may be considered in the future provided adequate safety research.
5. DISALLOWED INGREDIENTS LIST
5.1
The following are completely disallowed ingredients in the Keto Certified Program. Additional ingredients may be added or removed from this list based on new information or research.
Partially-Hydrogenated Oils
Partially-Hydrogenated, trans fats such as soybean, margarine, and vegetable oils.
Exogenous Ketones
Alcohol Ketone bodies, Ketone esters.
Sweeteners
Maltitol, corn syrup, artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, cyclamate, acesulfame, aspartame, Sucralose.
Artificial Flavors
Artificial flavors are not allowed in the Keto Certified Program.
