Our Mission
It's Not Genetics exists because you deserve to know what's really in the products you buy. The food you eat, the pans you cook with, the water you drink, the candy your kids consume — they all contain ingredients that manufacturers would rather you not think too hard about.
We're a consumer advocacy and health research publication dedicated to translating complex scientific data into clear, actionable information. No fearmongering. No wellness woo. Just evidence.
What We Do
We investigate the ingredients, chemicals, and manufacturing processes behind everyday consumer products. Our coverage spans:
- Food & Ingredients — Additives, preservatives, pesticide residues, and what food labels really mean
- Kitchen & Cookware — PFAS in nonstick pans, lead in ceramics, BPA in plastics, and safer alternatives
- Candy & Snacks — Artificial colors, hidden allergens, sugar engineering, and what other countries ban
- Beverages — Microplastics in bottled water, contaminants in tap water, what's in your energy drinks
- Supplements — Third-party testing, label accuracy, and which supplements are worth your money
- Personal Care — Endocrine disruptors, fragrance chemicals, and what "clean beauty" actually means
- Kids & Baby — Heavy metals in baby food, toy safety, and age-appropriate product analysis
- Debunking — Separating viral health claims from peer-reviewed reality
Our Methodology
Every article we publish follows a consistent research methodology:
- We start with peer-reviewed research from PubMed, NIH, and academic journals
- We cross-reference FDA databases, EFSA opinions, and WHO assessments
- We cite EWG's Skin Deep and Tap Water databases where relevant
- We review independent lab testing from organizations like Consumer Reports, Clean Label Project, and ConsumerLab
- We clearly distinguish between established science and emerging research
- We update articles when new evidence emerges
Sources We Trust
Our research draws from these primary sources:
- FDA — Food additive databases, GRAS lists, warning letters, and recalls
- NIH / PubMed — Peer-reviewed studies on ingredient safety and health effects
- EWG — Environmental Working Group databases on tap water, cosmetics, and pesticides
- EFSA — European Food Safety Authority opinions (often stricter than FDA)
- WHO / IARC — World Health Organization carcinogen classifications and health guidelines
- Independent Labs — Consumer Reports, Clean Label Project, ConsumerLab, and HBBF
Our Independence
We do not accept sponsorships or paid placements from the brands we investigate. When we recommend products, we use Amazon affiliate links — this means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you. This never influences our research or recommendations.
Contact
Have a tip, correction, or product you'd like us to investigate? Reach out at hello@itsnotgenetics.com.