Since October 2002, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), national regulations have been on the books that specify exact standards for determining what precisely is meant when food (not cosmetics) is labeled “organic,” whether it is grown in the United States or imported from other countries. As is stated on the USDA Web site, “Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled ‘organic,’ a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”
What does any of this have to do with cosmetics? Many consumers are already attracted to any cosmetic that claims to be natural, no matter how bogus the claim. To make their products stand out from the rest, cosmetics companies are starting to use the term “organic” on their product labels. But as Consumer Reports (August 2003, page 61) stated, “With no hearings or public discussion, the USDA extended its rules on organic labeling to cosmetics. There are now shampoos and body lotions labeled 70% organic based on the fact that their main ingredient is… water in which something organic, such as an organic lavender leaf, has been soaked.”
Tim Kapsner, Senior Research Scientist at Aveda, made a salient point by stating that “In absence of a true industry standard, companies applied the USDA organic food standard for beauty and personal care products ingredients and products. But the USDA’s food standards were never designed for this industry, and its strict guidelines limit certain types of ‘green chemistry’ and pose significant challenges for those seeking to create certified organic products.”
Note: For more detailed information on the USDA organic standards, visit their Web site at www. ams. usda. gov/nop or call the National Organic Program at (202) 720-3252.