Washington Post Covers OCA Complaint on Fraudulent Organic Labels

washingtonpost.com

Complaint Disputes Definition of 'Organic'
Bayliss Ranch Certification Questioned

By Caroline E. Mayer
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 19, 2004; Page E04

Those shapely green bottles of organic shampoo may look pretty, but some of the ingredients are creating an ugly dispute in the natural-products industry.

The Organic Consumers Association, whose members include companies and individuals, and more than 300 natural-product businesses yesterday filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture saying some of the nation's best-known organic shampoos and body washes shouldn't be labeled "organic" because one of the key ingredients is simply tap water.

The complaint was lodged against Bayliss Ranch, which makes a number of different water "essences" such as lavender, lemon verbena and rosemary that are included in the shampoos, and Quality Assurance International, which certifies the company's products. The complaint asks the USDA to revoke the organic certification of Bayliss Ranch water essences.

Federal standards exist for organic food, but not for organic shampoos, soaps and other personal care items. That has led to the controversy. "This has been something that has been simmering for a while," said Grant Ferrier, editor of the Nutrition Business Journal. Ferrier said about $1 billion of the $37 billion health and beauty aid business is organic.

In a statement accompanying the complaint, the Organic Consumers Association said, "Manufacturers are using these water extracts to green-wash their products and make organic label claims, even though their formulations are in fact largely composed of the same conventional synthetic cleansers, conditioners and preservatives found in the mainstream products."

It said Avalon Natural Products, Jason Natural Cosmetics and Nature's Gate use the Bayliss Ranch product to mislead consumers into thinking their products are organic. The companies said the complaint was without merit.

Bayliss Ranch owner Donna Bayliss disputed the basis of the complaint and said she "welcomed a thorough review by the USDA."

QAI said it was awaiting further decisions on organic standards.

© 2004 The Washington Post Company