Mislabeled Organic and Natural Cosmetics Increase Consumer Skepticism

The International Herald Tribune (IHT), the global edition of the New York Times, recently covered the mounting consumer skepticism regarding natural and organic beauty and personal care (PC) products in the article “Consumer beware: When are organic cosmetics really organic?”. As more individuals adopt a “green” lifestyle and demand goods that they perceive to be healthier and environmentally friendly, companies across the board—from Wal-Mart, L’Oreal and Estee Lauder to niche specialty brands—have launched natural and organic PC products.

Controversy continues to build in this sector since the labeling of terms such as “organic” and “natural” are not officially regulated by the government, leaving the responsibility to the industry to self regulate. Several companies that have successfully launched certified organic products have gone through the USDA’s National Organic Program. Other companies have adopted private certification rules from groups such as the French organic certifier Ecocert, the Soil Association in Britain and OASIS, a trade association formed by beauty product manufacturers.

All One Good Faith, or Dr. Bonner’s Magic Soaps, and the U.S. Organic Consumers Association filed suit with various manufacturers for making misleading organic labeling claims. Another lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s Office in California against five companies, including Whole Foods Market, for not labeling and providing a warning on its natural body care and household cleaning products if containing a carcinogen.

These lawsuits, combined with the growing amount of improperly labeled products as well as the burgeoning trend of nutricosmetics, which the IHT article reported to have scant evidence, is contributing to the signs of consumer skepticism.

Check out inside cosmeceuticals coverage of the organic standards controversy: here.

Source: “Consumer Beware: When are organic cosmetics really organic?” International Herald Tribune, July 6, 2008.

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