28
June
2008
* Battle Over Organic Products Turns Toxic
A $20 billion industry is litigating over what is truly organic
By Tresa Baldas
The National Law Journal, June 24, 2008
Straight to the Source
The organic marketplace is sprouting litigation over fake organic and natural products — some of them harmful — that are being sold to unwitting consumers.
In Missouri, several class actions have been consolidated into one suit against the Aurora Organic Dairy Corp., which is accused of selling bogus organic milk that does not meet federal organic standards. The lawsuit also names several retailers that sold the milk. In Re Aurora Dairy Corp. Organic Milk, No. 4:08MD01907 (E.D. Mo.).
In California, the state attorney general recently filed a lawsuit against five companies, including Whole Foods Market Inc., for allegedly selling natural body care and household cleaning products that tested high for a cancer-causing chemical, in violation of state law. California v. Avalon Natural Food Products, No. RG08389960 (Alameda Co., Calif., Super. Ct.).
Also in California, the company that makes Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps is suing 13 competitors for allegedly misusing the organic label on their products and falsely advertising themselves as organic manufacturers. The lawsuit claims the defendants sold and promoted soaps, lotions and other products that are made with conventionally grown crops or chemicals derived from petroleum. All One God Faith v. Ecocert, No. CGC-08-474413 (San Francisco Co., Calif., Super. Ct.).
INTEGRITY COMPROMISED?
At issue in all these suits, lawyers and consumer advocates stressed, is the integrity of the organic industry, which, they claim, is being compromised by opportunists seeking to grab some of the industry’s $20 billion and growing revenue.
“I know that the consumers went to great lengths to create and protect the organic label, and that’s what we’re trying to do now — is to protect the integrity of the label,” said David G. Cox of Lane, Alton & Horst in Columbus, Ohio, who is one of several plaintiffs lawyers involved in the milk class action.
Consumer advocates see litigation as their only hope in protecting the organics label from further damage.
“After years of lobbying and complaints, we finally realized the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] is not going to take care of business, and so did a bunch of class action attorneys. … The power of litigation is our only alternative,” said Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organics Consumers Association.
Don Downing of St. Louis’ Gray, Ritter & Graham, another plaintiffs lawyer in the milk case, said litigation is essential to protect consumers from being duped into buying fake products.
“We believe that it’s very important that when consumers go to grocery stores and want to purchase organic milk, that the milk they purchase is in fact organic by the standards under federal law,” Downing said.
Mark S. Mester, an attorney in the Chicago office of Latham & Watkins who is representing Aurora, declined comment. Aurora officials have denied any wrongdoing.
“There is absolutely no basis for claims we defrauded consumers by selling milk that isn’t organic — none whatsoever. Aurora Organic Dairy has maintained continuous organic certifications for all of our farms and facilities,” Marc Peperzak, Aurora Organic chairman and CEO, said in a statement.
Agriculture Department officials declined to comment.
The organics industry, meanwhile, is paying close attention to the California litigation as it addresses natural body care and household cleaning products.
Cummins said regulation of natural products is crucial because this is how most consumers, seeking healthier lifestyles, first experiment with natural and organic products. They first dabble with body care products, then move on to organic food.
In the California case, the state attorney general alleges that defendants failed to warn consumers that cleaning products such as body washes and gels and liquid dish soaps contained 1,4-dioxane, a chemical known to cause cancer.
California has a specific statute, known as Proposition 65, which mandates that businesses provide persons with a “clear and reasonable warning” before exposing them to such chemicals.
In addition to violating Proposition 65, the lawsuit alleges that each defendant has engaged in unlawful business practices that constitute unfair competition.
Whole Foods Market spokeswoman Libba Letton said Whole Foods “is cooperating.” She added, “We have conducted our own investigation into the allegations that some of our products contain 1,4-dioxane and do not believe that these products represent a health risk or are in excess of California’s Proposition 65 Safe Harbor level for 1,4-dioxane.”
Posted: Is it really organic ?
27
June
2008
When the U.S. Centers for Disease Control found unusually high levels of hormone-disrupting phthalates in women eight years ago, no one had any idea how ugly the beauty industry really was.
In this episode of EWG’s Mixed Greens podcast, Enviroblog’s Amanda speaks with Stacy Malkan, author of Not Just a Pretty Face. This revealing book recounts the formative years of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, including a chapter on Environmental Working Group’s Jane Houlihan and the development of Skin Deep, our cosmetics safety database.
listen to podcast
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Skin Care, Cosmetics
26
June
2008
The deluge of damning information, string of political intricacies and overall ominous tone of the latest documentary by French journalist and director Marie-Monique Robin, “The World According to Monsanto,” should have put us to sleep. But it didn’t. In fact, it kept our stomach literally churning. As one farmer puts it, “The reason they do it is control. They want to control seed. They want to own life. I mean, this is the building blocks of food we are talking about. They are in the process of owning food, all food.” ::More
Posted: Is it really organic ?
24
June
2008
Researchers from Canada followed farms that converted from conventional to organic dairy farming over five years to see if it really is viable and better for farmers; the answer appears to be yes. The study notes that organic farms are more labour intensive with a lot of paperwork involved. Milk production falls, down 10.6%. (It might drop more in the USA where they allow bovine growth hormone). However, costs for fertilizers and antibiotics are wiped out, and veterinary costs are cut in half, saving almost $2,000 per cow. ::More
Posted: Is it really organic ?
23
June
2008
Phthalates are endocrine disruptors linked to problems of the reproductive system, including decreased sperm motility and
concentration in men and genital abnormalities in baby boys. (Oh, and did you know that average sperm counts have decreased
significantly since the 1940’s?) More recently they’ve also been linked to asthma and allergies.
How can I minimise my exposure?
Avoid these, and you’ll also be avoiding phthalates:
1. Nail polish: Dibutyl phthalate is often used to make nail polish chip-resistant. Look for it on the ingredients list, where it may
be shortened to DBP.
2. Plastics in the kitchen: Take a critical eye to your cupboards. Phthalates may be more likely to leach out of plastic when it’s
heated, so avoid cooking or microwaving in plastic.
3. Vinyl toys: Phthalates are what make vinyl (PVC) toys soft, so don’t give them to children. Opt instead for wooden and other
phthalate-free toys, especially during that age when they put everything in their mouths!
4. Paint: Paints and other hobby products may contain phthalates as solvents, so be sure to use them in a well-ventilated
space.
5. Fragrance: Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is often used as part of the “fragrance” in some products. Since DEP won’t be listed
separately, you’re better off choosing personal care products, detergents, and cleansers that don’t have the word “fragrance” on
the ingredients list.
6. Vinyl: Vinyl shows up in a lot of different products; lawn furniture, garden hoses, building materials, and items of clothing (like
some raincoats) are often sources. Aside from carefully choosing materials when you’re making purchases, there is one easy
change you can make: switch to a non-vinyl shower curtain. That “new shower curtain” smell (you know the one) is a result of
chemical off-gassing, and it means your shower curtain is a source of phthalates in your home.
7. Air Fresheners: Just like fragrances in personal care products, most air fresheners contain phthalates.
Read the Full Story: http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/05/cheatsheet-phthalates.htm
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Skin Care, Cosmetics
22
June
2008
New Guest Speaker Announced:
Dr Karen Coates
Dr Karen Coates has been a practising doctor over 20 years, with degrees in Medicine and Surgery, post graduate qualifications
in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. Her unique style seamlessly integrates natural therapies
and alternative health practices with conventional pathways to health.
An advocate for self-responsibility in health, she has a passion for teaching and a gift for explaining complex health concepts
in easy to understand terminology. Karen continually updates her knowledge base as scientific
research becomes available. Living on the Gold Coast for the past ten years, she is also coauthor
of Embracing the Warrior.
Embracing The Warrior provides clarity around many of the complex issues faced by
women, issues that have had me baffled up until now. The book empowers and motivates
us towards embracing the warrior within and ultimately, embracing more of life.
Dr Karen Coates and Vincent Perry have created a masterpiece
with this easy-to-read, innovative approach to health based on
current and proven scientific research.
Together, they have expertly woven the threads of conventional,
nutritional and environmental medicine, natural therapy and
physical movement to create a dynamic tapestry of wellbeing
for the modern woman.
Dr Coates will examine the connection between these five major
health issues and oxidative stress. High anti-oxidant intake is
essential for optimal wellbeing and Narelle & Alf will demonstrate
just how easy it is for Berry Radical to rapidly expand your
business.
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
21
June
2008
Hi everyone,
Since the last newsletter, we’ve held a Representative training in Sydney and I’ve
spoken at the Going Green Expo in Melbourne. I managed to attract quite a large
crowd there with some rather passionate (and maybe a little bit irate) musings on stage.
It was great to see that so many people are becoming more aware and interested in
the misinformation that the cosmetic industry portrays. As I keep saying, the only way
we’re going to level this playing field between consumers and the slick marketers of
‘natural’ and ‘organic’ brands is to EDUCATE!
My personal approach has been three-pronged… firstly, let people know that they are
being misled and ripped off by brands that portray themselves as more natural than
they really are. Secondly, let them know that many of the ‘naturally-derived’ ingredients
in those fake products are actually quite nasty and toxic. Finally, offer them a range of
absolutely exquisite, truly natural and organic products that they can feel confident and
safe using. Let them also know how they’ll benefit beautifully from the potent and active
formulas.
Once they fall in love with the products, you can share with them how they can actually
earn an honest, decent and healthy income from sharing this information and products
with others. What a winner! The KISS principle at work.
So, are you doing this too? If not, what’s stopping you? How can we help?
We’d love to connect with you at the upcoming Gold Coast conference to share more
of this simple wisdom. We have a really exciting line-up, and we KNOW you will go
home from the conference ridiculously excited about the opportunity before you. Book
your ticket today and come and share in the energy and excitement of our annual Gold
Coast conference. It only happens once a year!
cheers,
Narelle Chennery
Posted: Is it really organic ?
20
June
2008
Choosing the skin type that is right for you is really important. After you have read the information below, please CLICK HERE to take you to our main website, where you will be able to view the entire product range and do your shopping.
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Skin Care, Cosmetics
19
June
2008
If we want water coming in our taps to be clean, we need to make
sure that which goes down our drains is clean.
Here are ways you might be polluting the water from your drain
that you might not have thought about:
1. Disinfectant hand soap.
2. Hand dish detergent with artificial scents and dyes.
3. Automatic dish detergents that contain phosphates.
4. Hair dyes.
5. Solvents from washing paint brushes, rags with furniture polish, etc.
6. Hormones coming from the urine of women who are on birth control pills.
7. Toxic cleaning product residues from everything from bathtub and shower stall cleaners, to sponges rinsed after use on oven cleaner.
8. Toxic dyes from fabrics that “bleed.”
9. Pesticides from washing plants that have been sprayed.
10. Hormone disrupters from bodycare products, such as those that contain paraben preservatives.
Posted: Climate Change, Is it really organic ?, Probiotic House Cleaner
18
June
2008
from the past but so very relevant today….
“Disturbed by the reckless use of synthetic chemical pesticides after World War II, Rachel Carson reluctantly changed her focus in order to warn the public about the long-term effects of misusing pesticides.”
read the whole article
Posted: Climate Change, Is it really organic ?
