Scoring methodology · Produce

How we score produce

Every produce item is evaluated against 5 rules, worth a total of 100 points. Your score is the percentage of points the product earns on what we actually know about it.

Active version: 2026.06.05

Quality score

Earned out of possible

Each rule contributes points up to a known maximum. We sum them, divide by the total possible, and that's the headline number on the product.

Unknowns

No data earns no points

If we couldn't verify an attribute, that rule earns zero. Brands aren't rewarded for non-disclosure, and we don't fill the gap with a guess.

The rules

5 rules · 100 points possible

Clean ingredients

clean_ingredients

max · 60% of score

No harmful contaminants flagged (residual pesticides, heavy metals from soil).

Citation: EPA / FDA tolerances.
Inputs read: ingredients

Lab data indexed

lab_indexed

max · 15% of score

A full third-party lab report has been indexed. Produce specifically benefits from independent residue testing.

Citation: Oasis editorial — third-party testing.
Inputs read: is_indexed

Packaging

packaging

max · 10% of score

Container material. Glass jars and paperboard score at the top; PET / polystyrene / generic plastic at the bottom. Generic "container" / "bottle" with no material signal lands mid-tier.

Citation: Mason et al. (2018) microplastics in food packaging.
Inputs read: packaging

Recognized certifications

recognized_certifications

max · 5% of score

Carries a recognized third-party certification (USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project, Regenerative Organic, etc.).

Citation: Oasis editorial.
Inputs read: certifications

Organic certification

organic_certification

max · 10% of score

For produce, organic certification specifically (separate from the generic recognized-certifications credit) — pesticide residues are the headline produce quality signal.

Citation: EWG Shopper's Guide; USDA NOP standards.
Inputs read: certifications

Found something wrong?

Scoring is a function applied to evidence. If you think a rule fired on the wrong evidence, the per-product breakdown shows the source for every contribution — each one is challengeable. The methodology itself is version-controlled and evolves in public.