Nature’s One

Rating
Farm/Brand HeadquartersLewis Center, OH
ProductsFormula
Websitewww.naturesone.com
Market AreaNationwide
Total Score1420

They write: “Nature’s One is the leader in organic pediatric nutrition, offering a better start for every child. Founded in 1997, Nature’s One is independently owned and the leading organic formula company still today. From the beginning, Nature’s One has invested millions in the development of ingredients and science that embraces the meaning of organic while insuring the purity that parents demand for their child.

Nature’s One introduced the first organic formula in the USA and now sells into many countries where consumers demand the very best for their family. Brands found worldwide include Baby’s Only Organic, PediaSmart and PediaVance.

Celebrating 20 plus years of innovation, Nature’s One continues to innovate pure organic products that meet its stringent Pure10 Pledge. A pledge that serves as an industry hallmark and is respected by parents everywhere.”

CriteriaPointsComments
TOTAL (possible score is 1600 plus extra credit) 1420
4-Cow Rating | Excellent
Farmstead dairies earn the most points. Corporations that have a history of skirting the organic rules receive the fewest.
Ownership structure
60Corporation with a good track record
Farms that produce 100% of their milk receive the most points. Milk from "open market" or known confinement dairies receive the fewest.
Milk Supply
90Milk of integrity from trusted cooperative
100% organic farms receive the most points. Split operations with conventional dairy on the same property receive the fewest.
Organic Production
100Brand only markets organic dairy products
Farms that completed the survey in detail received the most points.
Disclosure of Information for Verification
100Full disclosure
Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier.
Organic Certification
100OneCert
Animal Welfare Approved and Biodynamic certifications receive the most bonus points. Producers are not penalized for not having additional certifications beyond organic.
Other Labels/Standards
0None
100% grass-fed with independent verification of standards
Grass-fed
50Exceeds minimum USDA standards for grazing
No points are given for this but the information may be useful to certain consumers looking to avoid soy.
Soy Free Ration?
No
Sliding scale based on policies, enforcement, acreage/cow, days/year on pasture, and permissible exemption.
Pasture
70Supplier farms do adequate grazing in a difficult climate.
One time/day receives the most points. Two times per day is standard.
Times Milked
90Two times a day (standard protocol on legitimate organic dairies)
Lower cull rate scores better, with under 10% receiving the most points.
Cull/death Rate
75Moderate cull/death rate. Will vary widely between farms.
Farms with closed herds receive the most points. Farms that sell organic calves and buy conventional replacements receive the fewest.
Replacements
100Closed herds
Standard practice is removing calves shortly after birth, with extra points given for unique ways of managing calves
Calves
75Removed shortly after birth (standard practice)
Farms that prohibit antibiotics receive the most points. Farms that allow young stock to receive antibiotics (under one year), receive the fewest.
Antibiotic Use
100No antibiotics
No hormones is the standard, however some farms do use oxytocin for therapeutic purposes.
Hormone Usage
100No hormones
Farmstead dairies (owner lives on-site) receive the most points. Fewer points are given as oversight declines.
Farm Support
75Depends on third-party for supervision; that third party visits farms regularly
All ingredients sourced from inside the organization or on the farm receives the highest points. Ingredients from confinement factory farms and/or imported ingredients receive the fewest.
Procurement of Ingredients
85Procurement of ingredients from good sources
Various levels of extra credit given for 1) providing full organic systems plan, 2) providing details on all farms (multi-farm brands, details on largest five required), and 3) sourcing feed on-farm or domestically.
Extra Credit
150Top transparency! Provided information about where they source their grain (from the open market).