Since its establishment, the GCM Association for Preventive Medicine Development of the Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “GCM Association”) has continuously advocated for greater public awareness of food safety issues. Dr. Huang Tzu-Yen, founding chairman of the association, believes that pesticide and heavy metal residues are among the most critical concerns in food safety today. He pointed out that regardless of how many “additive-free” claims a product may carry, such claims cannot guarantee that the food itself is free from excessive pesticide or heavy metal contamination. The root cause often lies in the raw materials themselves. Only when brands voluntarily submit their final products to independent third-party testing institutions can they truly safeguard consumer health.

Based on this philosophy, the GCM Association launched the GCM LABEL Clean Certification, a legally registered certification mark in Taiwan. In October 2025, Taiwan’s first brand to successfully obtain the GCM LABEL Clean Certification was officially announced: VIGOR YOUNG, marking a new milestone for food safety rights in Taiwan.

The certification standards for the GCM LABEL Clean Certification were jointly established by medical professionals who share the association’s mission and values. To apply for certification, brands must provide third-party testing reports for pesticide and heavy metal residues and use food ingredients recognized under standards such as the Shennong Ben Cao Jing, medicinal-food homologous ingredients, Halal food regulations, and Kosher food requirements. Only after fulfilling these conditions may a company apply for the GCM LABEL Clean Certification.

Compared with conventional “additive-free” marketing claims commonly seen in the market, Dr. Huang emphasized that what truly matters is whether the final product itself is free from excessive pesticide and heavy metal residues.

Through the collective efforts of the GCM Association’s medical committee, VIGOR YOUNG’s Energy Yeast Vitamin B Complex Capsules became the first product in Taiwan to receive the GCM LABEL Clean Certification. To qualify, the brand was required to submit third-party pesticide and heavy metal testing reports along with complete and transparent documentation of all product ingredients and raw materials. The association also conducted on-site inspections before the Medical Review Committee officially approved the certification.

Chen Hao-Hui, founder of VIGOR YOUNG, stated:

“VIGOR YOUNG focuses on plant-based nutrition and vegetarian-friendly dietary supplements. We believe plant-based products deserve even stricter, more scientific, and more trustworthy clean-label standards. This philosophy aligns perfectly with the mission of the GCM Association, which is why we were determined to participate in the certification process. A truly confident brand should be willing to communicate with consumers through professional third-party verification.”

The GCM Association also welcomes businesses that value consumer food safety to apply for the GCM LABEL Clean Certification by preparing third-party testing reports for pesticide and heavy metal residues together with detailed product information. The association emphasized that every additional commitment made by a brand provides consumers with greater protection and peace of mind.