Ever wonder how 'natural' or 'organic' those body care products lining the shelves of your local drug store really are? If so, the recent 'Lousy Labels' episode of the
popular watchdog show CBC Marketplace and countdown of the top 10 misleading natural products is a must-see.
Post by LouiseFa, Aveeno, Covergirl, Aubrey Organics, Avalon Organics -- even Seventh Generation diapers make the Lousy Label black list. The #1 misleading product? Huggies natural care baby wipes - a baby product cited as natural yet it not only contains parabens but a nasty ingredient on Health Canada's hot list.
Watch the show here:
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2011/lousylabels/
Host Erica Johnson hits the shelves and people's homes with environmental activist Adria Vasil to investigate green labelling on many of Canada's most popular personal care products marketed to us as 'natural' or 'organic'. They find the labels rife with exaggeration, misleading verbage and many of them contain ingredients no different than those found in regular, cheaper brands.
Most shocking -- the companies behind these products hide behind excuses of 'proprietary information' and ignorance when asked directly about the percentage of 'natural' or 'organic' ingredients contained in their products.
In this episode, the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association is no help. The spokesperson repeatedly states without regulation it's up to the consumer to check and compare labels - a little difficult when you're rushing around the grocery store with one or two toddlers in hand. He does get it right though, when he says the best thing to do if you're not sure, is simply stop buying the product.
There's so much more to say about safe ingredients, labelling, product comparison -- this brief investigation is a great start and an eye-opener about how important educating yourself is if you're interested in knowing what exactly you're putting on your body.
For a great selection of truly natural body care products -- we've checked the ingredients lists ourselves and gone through them with the manufacturers -- visit us at Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or comments about labelling or this Marketplace episode, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!
1 comment:
9-5-11: I just watched this program for the first time. I was horrified at what you are revealing! And, then you came to the Avalon shampoo and conditioner.
The text went by so quickly, I was not certain if it was "cocamidopropl" that was the product that is harmful to the air. I bought this at Puget Consumer Coop in Seattle where I shop primarily because I put my faith in their doing the homework that I don't see how I can do!
Now, I am going to have to alert PCC as well as contact the King County, WA Toxic Waste to ask them how do I get rid of this stuff so that it does not harm the environment?
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