Natural Grocers is expanding its product standards to reflect the latest research and the company’s commitment to human and environmental health.
The grocer introduced its household cleaning standards in 2016, offering alternatives to conventional products. The company’s updates reflect growing scientific understanding about the impact that certain common ingredients can have on indoor air quality, ecosystems and overall well-being.
With this update, the list of prohibited ingredients in household cleaning products now includes more than 100 ingredients. In addition to previously excluded substances like phosphates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors and chlorine, the new standards ban formaldehyde donors, phthalates, parabens, ethanolamines, glycol ethers and quaternary ammonium compounds.
Unlike federal regulations, which do not require full ingredient disclosure for household cleaning products, Natural Grocers requires every brand it sells to provide a complete ingredient list on packaging.
While limited exceptions are made for proprietary fragrance and enzyme blends, these components must still comply with Natural Grocers’ rigorous safety and environmental standards.
“We’ve always believed that cleaning your home shouldn’t come at the expense of your health – or the environment,” said Raquel Isely, VP of marketing at Natural Grocers.
“That’s why we’re committed to providing our customers with safe, sustainable choices, and making it easy for them to understand exactly what’s in the products they use every day. These updated standards help our customers make confident, informed decisions, whether they’re shopping for dish soap, fabric softener, or multi-surface cleaner.”
Natural Grocers seeks products that are ethically sourced, sustainably produced and innovatively effective. The company also prioritizes sustainably minded packaging. This includes recycled, biodegradable or plant-derived materials. For example, Natural Grocers Brand Household Cleaning Products use sugar cane-based or 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, while other leading options use recyclable paper and steel containers.
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