USDA Working to Define Natural Personal Care

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—According to an article published in the Sacramento Bee, a California lawsuit that outlines the confusing marketplace for organic and natural personal care products is providing momentum on the national level to produce a definition of natural products. The article noted: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] is working on a definition of 'natural products' to be used in future standards, said USDA National Organic Program spokesman Billy Cox.”

The California lawsuit was filed on May 29 by state Attorney General Jerry Brown under Proposition 65 against four companies marketing personal care products as natural but contain a carcinogen, known as chemical 1,4-dioxane. The four companies named in the lawsuit are Avalon natural products, Beaumont Products, NutriBiotic and Whole Foods Market California Inc. While the state’s action will remain within the confines of Proposition 65, which does not necessarily cover organic and natural products, it does require warnings to be placed on items that contain carcinogens.

Currently, manufacturers can voluntarily go through the National Organic Program for certification as an organic cosmetic or beauty care product.