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Pantry Staples
Olive oil, honey, chocolate, nuts, grains, and other foundational foods
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◈How We Evaluated This Category
✓What to Look For
- •COOC certification for olive oil (stricter than international standards)
- •Harvest date on olive oil (should be within 18 months)
- •Heavy metal testing for chocolate and rice products
- •Mercury testing for canned fish (Safe Catch tests every fish)
- •Pasture-raised certifications with outdoor access requirements
✗Red Flags to Avoid
- •Olive oils without harvest dates or vague origin claims
- •Imported honey without origin (46% of imported honey is adulterated)
- •Rice from Texas/Louisiana/Arkansas (highest arsenic levels)
- •'Cage-free' eggs (just means no cages, not outdoor access)
- •Fish without mercury testing or sustainable sourcing
📋Our Methodology
Products evaluated on third-party certifications, published lab testing for contaminants, supply chain transparency, and adherence to category-specific quality standards. Prioritized brands with verifiable sourcing and independent testing.
🏅Key Certifications to Know
COOC Seal — California Olive Oil Council - stricter chemical and sensory standards than international
Certified Humane Pasture-Raised — 108 sq ft outdoor space per bird, 6+ hours outside daily
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) — Sustainable fishing practices, traceable supply chain
Fair Trade — Fair prices paid to farmers, community development premiums
USDA Organic — No synthetic pesticides, GMOs, or artificial additives