CEH Sues Mfrs for Mislabeling Personal Care Products as Organic
The Center for Environmental Health filed a lawsuit on June 16, 2011 against manufacturers of dozens of shampoos, lotions, toothpastes, and other personal care products sold by national retailers including Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Whole Foods and other stores are mislabeled as organic, in violation of California law.
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CEH says that several of the products, including products intended for children, contain potentially toxic ingredients, including chemicals suspected of causing asthma, disrupting hormones, or causing cancer and other health problems.
USDA has Approved CA Rules to Require 70% Organic Ingredients for Label
CEH states that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not created its own rules regarding cosmetic products, but it has approved California’s organics program, including the state's rules regarding cosmetics and personal care products. The California Organic Products Act of 2003 outlines rules for labeling of organic personal care products, requiring that any product using the term “organic” on the front of the package must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may only use the term “organic” on the ingredient list.
Products by 26 Companies Found to Contain Few or No Organic Ingredients
In its purchasing in May and June, CEH found dozens of products made by 26 companies that are labeled on the front as “organic” yet contain few or, in some cases, no organic ingredients, based on the ingredient lists on the items. Items included products made by major national companies, including Hain-Celestial (one of the largest U.S. organic companies), Alliance Boots (a leading UK cosmetics maker), Kiss My Face, and other major brands.
The products were purchased from Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Whole Foods, and local natural products retailers in the Bay Area. In addition to the false labeling suit, in May CEH joined with Rosminah Brown in filing a class-action suit against Hain-Celstial for its mislabeled products.
Some Products Contain Cancer & Asthma-Causing Ingredients, Hormones
Some of the “organic” labeled products contain ingredients linked to health concerns. For example, a “Kids Hair Softening System” made by the company “Organics by Africa’s Best” contains BHA and cocamide DEA, chemicals that have been classified as cancer-causing by government agencies, triethanolamine, which has caused asthma in exposed workers, and parabens, chemicals that have disrupted hormones in laboratory tests. The package warns: "Keep away from eyes. Can cause blindness…Serious injury can result…if ingested…" and "Keep out of reach of children."
The full list of subject companies and their products that CEH tested is available here.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/14/11 news, 11041419, for BP summary of a recent CEH complaint to the Federal Trade Commission regarding certain "greenwashing" claims.)
(Press release dated 06/16/11)