Keto Certified Standards
Current edition (2024) · Karen Pendergrass and Kimberly Eyer · November 25, 2025
The Paleo Foundation audits products against category-specific net carbohydrate and ingredient requirements before licensing the Keto Certified mark.
Published standards download
The standards document published here is the 2024 edition of the Keto Certified Standards (Pendergrass and Eyer, Paleo Foundation). It remains the current edition, and the PDF and the ZIP below both contain it.
Carbohydrate requirements
Per labeled serving, with serving sizes based on the Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed (FDA, 21 CFR 101.12; USDA FSIS, 9 CFR 317.312 and 381.412 for meat and poultry products): meals and meal replacements allow up to 10g net carbohydrates; snacks 6g; condiments 2g. Qualifying whole-food or reduced-digestibility formulations may allow 12g, 8g, and 3g respectively. Auxiliary products receive individual review.
Prebiotic fiber requires appropriate net-carbohydrate adjustment. Analytical verification may use HPAEC-PAD. Exogenous ketones are permitted. Partially hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, and specified artificial sweeteners are prohibited; permitted ingredients must still satisfy carbohydrate criteria.
The mark requires an audit, contractual agreement, and explicit authorization for each certified product. Read the document for the full ingredient and label-use provisions, and contact the certification team about your formulation.
Historical reference and media resources
The 2022 standards below are a historical reference and do not replace the current requirements.