About A.A.

The Clean Label concept was first introduced by a group of international food and catering professionals in the United Kingdom in 2011. Building on this foundation, Anti Additive Clean Label Organization (A.A.) was formally established in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 2013 — operating today across offices in the Netherlands, United States, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan.

A.A. is an independent, EU-recognized third-party certification body dedicated to eliminating harmful additives from food, consumer goods, and everyday products. Our certification standards are aligned with EU E-number regulations, WHO guidelines, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals — particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption).

What We Do

A.A. certifies manufacturers who meet our rigorous additive-free standards, partners with global retailers and food producers, and convenes an international honorary advisory board of experts across food science, nutrition, public health, and culinary arts.

Why It Matters

Consumers deserve to know what's in the products they buy. Governments cannot do this alone. A.A. serves as the independent bridge between producers and consumers — certifying integrity, not just compliance.

Our Reach

Certified members include global brands such as Carrefour, Lidl, Bertolli, Quaker, with partners including CREATIVE LIFE FOUNDATION(Thailand), DIN (Germany), COFRAC (France), and OLDWAYS (USA).

The Sustainable Development Spirit of the UN CDM and SDGs

As industrial technology continues to develop, countries at all stages of development face significant and varied challenges. Many of these are closely tied to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) proposed by the United Nations — particularly in addressing climate change, environmental pollution, resource depletion, and social imbalances. In 2015, the United Nations introduced the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," establishing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Covering three key dimensions — economic, social, and environmental — the SDGs have become a common language and strategic framework for sustainable development worldwide, addressing issues from poverty elimination and climate action to gender equality. Each country is called upon to identify its own key challenges in order to meaningfully advance these goals.

There are 17 goals listed in the SDGs, including 169 targets as follows:

No poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Zero hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Good health and well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Quality education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Gender equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Clean water and sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Affordable and clean energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Decent work and economic growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Industry, innovation and infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
Reduced inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Sustainable cities and communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Responsible consumption and production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Climate action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Life below water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Life on land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Peace, justice and strong institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Partnership for the goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

According to a study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 10 of the 17 SDGs depend heavily on improvements in resource use efficiency. The study calls for economic growth to be decoupled from natural resource consumption and environmental degradation — making the circular economy a key strategy for achieving Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and several other goals.

Advocate the ICESCR's Right to Food

Article 11(2) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) addresses the right to food, calling for equitable distribution of world food supplies in relation to need.

Article 25(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has observed that malnutrition and hunger — and problems related to the right to adequate food — are found even in economically developed countries. At its core, hunger is not caused by a lack of food, but by a lack of access to food.

It is therefore A.A.'s responsibility to advocate for the right to adequate food. This right is realized when every person — regardless of age or gender — has physical and economic access, at all times, to food that is sufficient, free from harmful substances, and culturally acceptable. The right to adequate food must not be interpreted narrowly as a minimum package of calories or nutrients.

The Anti Additive Clean Label Organization recognizes the human rights principles set out above and is committed to promoting whole, natural foods that do not rely on excessive processing or artificial additives — making food more, not less, accessible. A natural, anti-additive approach to diet supports environmentally sustainable development, a healthier society, and a more positive social environment.

The Social Responsibility for Third-Party Verification and Certification

The importance of third-party certification

Of all conformity assessment procedures for ensuring that a product, process, or service meets required standards — covering safety, health, and the environment — third-party certification carries the greatest value. As a non-governmental organization, A.A. is committed to full transparency and openness in all of its processes. The A.A. review mechanism functions as an independent assessment between the market (consumers) and manufacturers, between government and manufacturers, and among manufacturers themselves — fulfilling the spirit of social responsibility.

Third-party certification ensures the credibility and reliability of results by virtue of the following:

It is independent and free from commercial influence, enabling impartial and neutral assessments
It is cost-effective, allowing manufacturers to produce safer, more reliable products with minimal investment while meeting professional standards
It is widely recognized: consumers, retailers, and distributors trust third-party certification labels as guarantees of safety and performance
It builds consumer confidence and brand trust through ongoing monitoring and compliance verification once products reach the market
It distinguishes compliant manufacturers, giving the market clearer criteria for differentiation
It supports product liability defense, helping to prevent misinformation and protect the common interest

A.A.'s certification process complies with local standards and regulations, and the organization maintains established relationships with regional standards authorities.

A.A. aligns with internationally recognized criteria — including DIN, SGS, FDA, and EFSA — and applies clear, standardized processes to evaluate key issues and review performance outcomes.

Planning and Obtaining Evidence for Certification

A.A. plans each certification engagement carefully in advance, ensuring the process is conducted effectively. Professional skepticism is maintained throughout the evaluation of key data, with region-appropriate standards applied to assess the relevance and reasonableness of selected criteria. All final results are fully verified.

Integrating External Expert Opinion

Where specialist expertise is required, A.A. collaborates with external professionals from relevant fields — including Michelin-recognized chefs, nutritionists, physicians, scientists, and culinary professionals — to obtain rigorous, domain-specific input. Final assessments are based on verified evidence and reflect the regulatory context of each region.

Legal Protection

Third-party certification is a demonstration of due diligence. It shows that a manufacturer has applied the highest degree of care throughout the conformity assessment process — ensuring that only safe, effective products reach the market. For consumers, certification provides the confidence to purchase with trust. And should a problem arise, established complaint-handling systems ensure that unsafe products are swiftly identified and removed from circulation.

The combination of independence, cost-effectiveness, safety, reliability, consumer confidence, manufacturing excellence, and liability protection makes third-party certification the most effective pathway for bringing trustworthy products to the global market.

In this role, A.A. serves as an independent verification body throughout the assessment and inspection process. By applying standards and regulations recognized by local governments — alongside evaluation and guidance from qualified experts — A.A. ensures that its inspections are both rigorous and credible. This empowers manufacturers to develop business strategies that are genuinely aligned with environmental, social, and economic responsibilities. Identifying opportunities for innovation, elevating overall brand value, and helping outstanding manufacturers distinguish themselves in international competition — this is A.A.'s enduring commitment across the entire industry chain.

A.A.'s Claims and Visions

A.A. is the abbreviation of Anti Additive — meaning "no additive."

Since the earliest chapters of human history, food culture and material development have evolved alongside civilization itself. As the food industry has rapidly industrialized, artificial additives have become increasingly prevalent — allowing manufacturers to shorten production times and reduce costs by replacing the traditional, step-by-step processes that once defined quality food and beverage making. The result is food that has lost much of its natural flavor, and production processes that compromise human health in ways both direct and indirect. The same holds true across household and consumer products.

Although governments worldwide have established laws and regulations governing the use of additives — specifying permitted types and dosages — it remains difficult for ordinary consumers to know which additives are present in the products they purchase, or what effects those additives may have.

With respect to food, A.A. advocates and promotes the principle of "Anti Additive, healthy and sustainable" — preserving long-standing culinary traditions, recovering preparation methods that have been lost, and creating a healthier, more sustainable food environment for consumers.

To help consumers avoid harmful substances and encourage manufacturers to adopt responsible, transparent production methods, A.A. promotes the spirit of the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and implements the SDGs as guiding policy. A.A. has established non-profit organizations around the world to encourage manufacturers across industries to adopt responsible production methods, uphold integrity, maintain process and material traceability, return to natural and authentic production cultures, and progressively eliminate artificial additives that are directly or indirectly harmful to human health.

For products reaching consumers through commercial channels, A.A. promotes manufacturing based on pure raw materials and sound processing methods — avoiding excessive shelf-life extension, additives that alter color or flavor, and substances of very high concern (SVHC) as identified by the European Union. A.A. advocates for production processes that are friendly to animals, plants, and the environment, and that minimize carbon emissions and environmental pollution.

A.A. has adopted the "Clean Label" concept as the foundation for all of its advocacy and implementation work. Clean Label not only promotes the reduction of additives in food and consumer products, but also calls for clear, readable labeling that empowers consumers to make informed decisions. Over the years, A.A. has made meaningful progress across multiple countries, earning strong consumer trust for certified products and, in doing so, supporting governments in advancing food safety. Through continued promotion of third-party oversight and social responsibility, A.A. aims to raise production standards across all industries — creating a global market that consumers can trust.

Note: Commonly known artificial additives in food products worldwide include artificial flavors, monosodium glutamate, preservatives, artificial colors, sweeteners, thickeners, emulsifiers, stabilizers, antioxidants, leavening agents, bleaching agents, color retention agents, clouding agents, softening agents, defoamers, and others.

A.A. is Aligned with Global Standards

A.A. upholds the fundamental elements of global product safety governance — serving as a safeguard for consumers and raising the bar for industry quality.

With the Clean Label and the SDGs as core values, and the CODEX Alimentarius, the ICESCR right to food, and third-party social responsibility as its foundation, A.A.'s commitment to cleanliness extends beyond food additives alone. It encompasses all essential products encountered in daily life — covering the many varied components, ingredients, and dissolved substances found across consumer product categories.

Under the overarching framework of the SDGs, A.A. advances clean label awareness as its ultimate vision and most important core value — guiding people toward a better life and a better future.

Note: A.A. certification standards are based on international frameworks covering the scope and use of food additives, food labeling requirements, drug residues in plants and animals, and chemical leaching or residues across various product types.

International Food Regulations and Standards

Learn More About the Assessment License

Reasons for Promoting Anti-Additive

Grounded in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the principle of a co-prosperous global society, A.A. treats the anti-additive concept as a foundational value in support of human rights and social well-being.
The core spirit of A.A. is a return to the original, natural, and pure — guided by the EU Clean Label standard — and a commitment to raising public awareness around the importance of additive-free living.
Addressing anti-additive issues is itself a form of societal influence: by returning to natural and pure production, A.A. helps lead society toward greater health and freedom — and contributes meaningfully to the realization of the SDGs.
In keeping with the ICCPR and ICESCR, A.A. recognizes and supports the right to food, and promotes anti-additive products on the principle of "no waste" — rather than pursuing highly refined or processed products that consume disproportionate social resources.
A.A. is committed to ensuring that food reaches those who need it, fulfilling all the elements required for an active and healthy life. We are dedicated to maximizing the value of available resources and advancing the principle of "enough food for all."
A.A. works to preserve and carry forward the long-standing culinary cultures of countries around the world, supporting traditional food preparation and product manufacturing methods, and reducing unnecessary reprocessing that erodes both history and nutritional value.
A.A. promotes manufacturing methods and processes that are environmentally friendly and harmless — giving greater sustainability and integrity to original production traditions.
A.A. upholds the professional values of quality, adherence to standards, and authentic practice — inheriting and passing forward a spirit of genuine craftsmanship.
A.A. is committed to building a healthy and sustainable environment for consumers and expanding the "spirit of cleanliness" across all industries and communities.
The growth of anti-additive products and the performance of the market have together driven meaningful change in consumer expectations — a shift that is clearly visible and continuing to accelerate.
The anti-additive movement has become a defining future trend and a central concern for markets worldwide.
In the food and beverage industry, additive-free practices have been recognized as a key quality indicator by the world's leading culinary authorities — including the Michelin Guide, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, and the World's 50 Best Restaurants. The spirit of cleanliness has become a global standard and a universal value for the future.

A.A.'s Global Anti-Additive Mission

A.A.'s assessment body is composed of experts and scholars from diverse fields, operating through a rigorous and professional evaluation mechanism to establish credible anti-additive certification standards that consumers can rely upon.
A.A. provides structured guidance to manufacturers, supporting them in progressing through each certification stage and gradually eliminating additives and harmful substances from their production processes.
A.A. encourages manufacturers to engage with its advisory and verification framework, helping to raise broader public awareness of the anti-additive concept.
A.A. promotes clean production practices through the organization of seminars, training courses, and industry engagement activities.
A.A. works to establish a global platform for resource exchange and knowledge sharing, rooted in Clean Label values and dedicated to advancing the anti-additive mission.
With the Clean Label and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its core values, A.A. is committed to achieving a better quality of life as the foundational purpose of the organization.
A.A. upholds and actively supports the ICESCR-recognized rights to "an adequate standard of living" — including adequate food — and "the fundamental right to be free from hunger."
Anti Additive Clean Label Organization is a globally independent and impartial body. All organizational charters are grounded in the United Nations CDM framework. A.A. is authorized by the European Union to perform certification services and is supervised by EUIPO to conduct inspections in compliance with E-number standards.

A.A. Organization Expansion

In 2011, a group of international food and catering professionals introduced the concept of "Clean Label" in the United Kingdom. Recognizing its potential beyond food alone, A.A. extended the initiative to the broader catering industry. The A.A. headquarters — Anti Additive Clean Label Organization B.V. — was formally established in the Netherlands in 2013, followed by the Asia Pacific Anti Additive Clean Label Organization in Australia and the Asia Anti Additive Clean Label Organization in Hong Kong, both registered as formal legal entities.

In subsequent years, the Anti Additive Clean Label Organization of Taiwan was established as an official corporate legal entity. More recently, the anti-additive concept has been successfully introduced to Italy, where A.A. anticipates formally establishing a local organization — one that is expected to serve as an important base for the promotion of A.A.'s mission across European countries.