Standards Proposed for “Natural” Label

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. has urged all consumer packaged goods companies to adopt truth in labeling standards similar to the National Organic Program (NOP) standards.

February 1, 2010 | Source: The Organic and Non-GMO Report | by Ken Roseboro, ed.

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The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. has urged all consumer packaged goods companies to adopt truth in labeling standards similar to the National Organic Program (NOP) standards.

“We have long been troubled by packaging practices that lead consumers to believe that a product is healthful, when natural ingredients are just a very small percentage of the product and are accompanied by detrimental ones,” stated Irwin D. Simon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hain Celestial.

The recent halting of the “Smart Choices” labeling program on charges of inaccurate labeling was an inspiration to Hain Celestial to promote truth in labeling. Smart Choices was created by nine large food manufacturers, including Kellogg, Kraft Foods and General Mills, and affixed its green seal on sugary processed cereals such as Cocoa Puffs and Frosted Flakes.

“It is time for companies to restrict the use of natural claims and accompany them with meaningful nutritional information that is consistent,” Simon said.

Hain Celestial has published a guide to understanding “The ‘ABCs’ of Natural,” which is available at www.ahealthywayoflife.com.