Where we source from
- Peer-reviewed studies (PubMed, journal archives, systematic reviews).
- Government agencies — EPA, FDA, NIH, CDC, ECHA, EWG's Skin Deep database.
- Independent third-party testing bodies — NSF International, WQA, MADE SAFE, GOTS, GOLS, Green Seal.
- Consensus statements from professional bodies where they exist.
How we weigh evidence
We start from the strongest available evidence for a given claim, not the loudest. A single suggestive study does not become a headline. A regulatory action, a large systematic review, or a well-designed independent test carries more weight than a brand's white paper.
Where the evidence is genuinely contested — as it often is in areas like fluoride, seed oils, or endocrine disruption — we present the range honestly rather than picking the side that sells better.
Handling uncertainty
We prefer clear guidance over false precision. When the science is unsettled, we tell readers what is known, what is uncertain, and what a reasonable household decision looks like under that uncertainty.
Ongoing review
Guides are revisited on a rolling schedule. When a certification changes, a regulation shifts, or new independent testing lands, the affected articles are updated and the updated-date is reflected in-page and in our sitemap.