OCA optimistic for organic products in 2008

WASHINGTON The Organic Consumers Association has announced that it expects 2008 to a breakout year for USDA organic personal products.

“We are pleased that, despite widespread misleading organic claims on shampoos, body washes and lotions made with synthetic surfactants, silicones and preservatives, numerous companies have stepped up to make real organic alternatives that will be widely available in 2008,” stated Ronnie Cummins, executive director of the OCA.

The association, which represents more than 500,000 members, is urging consumers to look for the USDA organic seal on products if they want to be certain “they are truly organic.”

Personal care companies may represent that they are USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certified “organic” and display the USDA organic seal, or “made with organic,” so long as such products are certified to meet the NOP standards, the group stated.

One such company is Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, which is introducing 18 USDA certified organic personal products in March, ranging from shaving gels to a hair conditioning rinse.

“Organic personal care should be like organic food for the skin, based on organic agriculture and free of synthetic ingredients that organic consumers seek to avoid,” stated David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.