Word of Bronner

Dr. Bronner's says competitors aren't really organic

Posted at 4:53 PM on 29 Apr 2008

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps has filed a lawsuit accusing competitors in the personal-care industry of falsely advertising products as organic. The word "organic" is not federally regulated for personal-care products. Dr. Bronner's, the soap company known for its basic ingredients and rambling messages, voluntarily follows the USDA organic standard for food, which requires 95 percent organic ingredients and no synthetics or petrochemicals. Personal-care companies are technically free to use the word "organic" without meeting any guidelines, though some meet voluntary standards set by California, and 30 cosmetics companies have come up with their own standard. "The last we know, Bronner was not appointed by any government agency to set a standard," says a spokesperson for company Juice Beauty. "I'm not sure why we would have to follow a standard set by him." Other defendants include Estée Lauder (which owns Aveda), Kiss My Face, and Stella McCartney.

sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, North County Times, The Gazette
see also, in Grist: Some 'green' products test positive for nasty chemical

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Comments: (3 comments)

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Bronner isnt setting any standard

He, and others, are trying to keep the standards we already have from being undermined.

From the Organic Consumers Association:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm
Coming Clean: Campaigning for Organic Integrity in Bodycare Products

"The word "organic" is not properly regulated on personal care products (example: toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, etc.) as it is on food products, unless the product is certified by the USDA National Organic Program."

"Due to this lax regulation, many personal care products have the word "organic" in their brand name or otherwise on their product label, but unless they are USDA certified, the main cleansing ingredients in particular are usually made with conventional not agricultural material, combined with petrochemical compounds."

"To help remove some of this misleading organic labeling from the market, in late March 2008, the OCA and Dr.Bronner's filed Cease and Desist Letters to many of the bogus "organic" brands who utilize conventional and/or petrochemical material instead of organic material in making their main cleansing ingredients, some of whom even tested positive for the carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane in this study."

by greenfire8 at 12:21 AM on 30 Apr 2008

Why wouldn't you want to follow Dr. Bronner?

I see no reason not to put 100% support behind Dr. Bronner's claims and his campaign. One meditative look-see over his personal care product line and I think you will agree.

A. It's vegan
B. He cites the notion of Spaceship Earth.. and not only does he cite it, but beautifully. AND he puts it DEAD CENTER right above his own name.
C. Genuine reliable organic integrity
D. Dr. Bronner's provides the most lucid example of what company transparency should aspire to be.
E. HE ENCOURAGES YOU TO NOT EVEN BUY ANOTHER BOTTLE BUT TO REFILL IT FROM A DRUM.. amazing
F."enjoy only two cosmetics, enough sleep and Dr. Bronner's 18-1 Pure Castile soap" probably the most constructive environmental advice around.

There is no reason IMHO to not follow this beautiful example set by a pioneer. If you have never tried this soap PLEASE DO you will be doing yourself a favor. Body wash with it, clean your hair and your bong.. whatever. It really works for everythings (sometimes it is nice to add pool sand if youre scrubbing something and it may also be nice to have a small supply of back up non-almond based toothpaste if you're going out on a date"

enjoy only two cosmetics

by gregoryralich at 5:54 AM on 30 Apr 2008

cheers

by greenfire8 at 1:49 PM on 30 Apr 2008

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