Natural/organic products take spotlight in baby care at ECRM event

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. If the ECRM Personal Care, Baby & Oral Care EPPS event is an indication of what shoppers will soon see on retail shelves then it is clear that the natural and organic trend shows little signs of slowing—especially in the baby care aisle.

The event was held here Aug. 25 to 28 at the Marco Island Marriott Resort.

Natural and organic products, especially within the baby care segment, took the spotlight as new mothers and mothers-to-be grow increasingly concerned with what they put on their skin when they are pregnant and on the skin of their newborn child.

Some of the companies that met with retail buyers in hopes of hitting mass market shelves include Annyer USA. This European company is looking to enter the U.S. market with its Marinela skin care line. The line, which is 100 percent natural, is designed for mothers and mothers-to-be.

Direxions Inc. was at the show highlighting its Otopia organic skin care line for newborns, babies and mom. First introduced in Australia and into the U.S. market in September 2007, the company is now looking to expand U.S. distribution of the 16-SKU line.

Also, as previously reported online by Drug Store News, Lafe’s Natural Bodycare has launched a new line of Lafe’s Organic Baby products that includes baby shampoo and body wash, massage oil, baby lotion and mother-to-be deodorant. The products, which were highlighted at ECRM, are certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, earning the USDA’s green seal indicating the ingredients are 95 percent certified organic. They are also packaged in what Lafe’s is terming “baby-safe plastic,” meaning they are free of estrogenic activity (EA) chemicals that, according to some research, could trigger endocrine disruption. Lafe’s Organic Baby will also be introducing sunscreen, diaper cream, and baby wipes later this year.