Beyond Meat boosts clean label push as +20 products earn third-party certification

Beyond Meat has expanded its portfolio of products certified by the Clean Label Project, with more than 20 items now meeting the nonprofit’s standards for contaminant testing and ingredient transparency.

• Beyond Meat confirmed that more than 20 products across its portfolio have achieved Clean Label Project Certification following third-party testing for contaminants and purity standards.

• Newly certified products included Beyond Steak Filet, Beyond Ground Original, and Beyond Immerse protein drinks in multiple flavors.

• The company was the first in the plant-based meat category to receive Clean Label Project Certification, extending the designation across a broader product range.

The certification, awarded following independent testing for environmental contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, plasticizers and other substances, marks a further step in Beyond Meat’s efforts to emphasize ingredient transparency and product quality.

The newly certified products include Beyond Steak Filet, Beyond Ground Original, and Beyond Immerse protein drinks in Peach Mango, Orange Tangerine and Lemon Lime. According to the company, the beverages are the first ready-to-drink protein drinks to achieve Clean Label Project Certification.

Beyond Meat confirmed that it had previously become the first company in the plant-based meat category to receive the certification for products including Beyond Burger, Beyond Beef, Beyond Steak and Beyond Chicken Pieces. The latest announcement extends that certification across additional product formats and categories.

Ethan Brown, Founder & CEO of Beyond Meat, said the milestone reflected the company’s internal standards around ingredient quality and transparency. “Third-party certifications like Clean Label Project validate the standards we hold ourselves to every day as we deliver the power of plants to the consumer. Our commitment to clean and healthful ingredients defines us, and we are pleased to see this external recognition,” he said.

The Clean Label Project is a nonprofit organization focused on testing consumer products for contaminants and improving transparency in labeling. Its certification process evaluates products against health-based benchmarks that often exceed minimum regulatory requirements.

Molly Hamilton, Executive Director of Clean Label Project, said the number of certified products highlighted Beyond Meat’s approach to quality assurance.

“Earning Clean Label Project Certification across more than 20 products demonstrates Beyond Meat’s continued focus on transparency and product quality,” she said. “Our program is designed to recognize brands that take proactive steps to evaluate and address contaminants in the products consumers rely on every day. These certifications underscore Beyond Meat’s commitment to accountability and exceeding the status quo.”

The certification covers a range of criteria, including contaminant safety, ingredient integrity and manufacturing transparency. Products must meet strict thresholds for substances such as heavy metals and pesticide residues in order to qualify.

For Beyond Meat, the expansion of its certified portfolio comes as the plant-based sector continues to face scrutiny over ingredient lists, processing methods and nutritional positioning. Third-party validation has increasingly been used by companies to support product claims and differentiate in a more competitive and cautious market environment.

The inclusion of ready-to-drink protein beverages within the certified range also signals a broader diversification strategy, as companies explore formats beyond traditional meat analogues.

While the certification does not directly assess nutritional value or environmental impact, it provides an additional layer of verification around product safety and composition, areas that remain central to consumer trust.

Beyond Meat reported that its certified products are now available across multiple markets, as it continues to expand its presence in retail and foodservice channels.

The company’s focus on external validation reflects a wider trend across the alternative protein sector, where brands are increasingly seeking independent certification to support claims around quality, safety and transparency.