All Natural and Organic. What and Who can You Trust?

But do you know what else is floating out there, and especially in cyberspace? An awful lot of half-truths!

Manufacturers, producers, advertisers, and sellers have all picked up on the public's outcry for a return to simpler, "healthier", better-for-you products. There are hundreds and hundreds of on-line and off-line businesses competing for your hard-earned money, all claiming to have the best, the purest, the most natural product. Some of these merchants even insinuating that if you decide to buy the product they sell somewhere else you're somehow mentally deficient!

I'm running the risk of causing some ruffled feathers here...

Right off the bat let me tell you that I'm extremely suspicious of anything labeled organic and natural, and as you read this page you will understand why. The terms "organic" and "natural" are very often incorrectly applied.

A natural product refers to a substance or compound produced by a living organism. Organic (and I'm really referring to organic farming here) relies on an ecosystem management rather than agricultural inputs.

"Natural water". I really like this one....

Water IS a natural resource! As far as I know, no-one has created artificial/synthetic water. So, what does it really mean "natural"; how can you be sure it is? Is that water really from an artesian source, is it from Fiji, or is it from a local municipal supply?

The intent is to make the sale by twisting words, to create the impression of something positive, something that is good and healthy for you, when in reality it might not be, and all this for that mighty dollar.

Years ago a patient of mine died. His wife could not imagine why. He had always tried to eat "healthy, natural foods. Always drank distilled water..."

Distilled water??!! It did not make much sense to me at all. Here he was, drinking water whose minerals had been removed (were they removed "naturally"? - ok, sorry for the sarcasm...), then buying mineral supplements - probably from the same person who sold him the distilled water - to replace what was removed from that high-dollar bottled water!

"Natural" skin care. This refers to the care of your skin by using naturally-derived ingredients such as roots, flowers, herbs, etc.

I do not have a problem here; in fact,most of the skin care products I sell at Je Me Souvien are botanicals.

But I'd like you to keep in mind that when they tell you of a product that actually penetrates the skin, reaching the deepest layers, they are misleading you; they are trying to sell you some over-priced cream or lotion. When they tell you that a certain cream or lotion will replenish lost collage, dont walk, run!

Why? Because the vast majority of the ingredients supposed to penetrate the skin are simply not able to do that. Their molecules are too large to pass through.

At my little shop I do sell what I believe and trust to be exceptional products. I am completely frank with my clients by reminding them to not expect miracles or overnight results. The natural skin care products available at Je Me Souvien do not have a long shelf life because no preservatives are used. And - I'll let you in on a little "secret" - they deliver much better results because of the induced softening of the uppermost skin stratum.

Coming to an end here; please bear with me. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is no actual definition of "natural" and that, by definition, all ingredients are chemicals. True, as strictly speaking, even our artichoke friend is made up of chemicals, right?

Nevertheless many unscrupulous people out there continue to make millions from misguided consumers by claiming they have the natural, miraculous cure for whatever ails you.

And when it comes to organic produce, I personally look for the label showing the "USDA Organic" stamp. The National Organic Program, enacted as federal legislation in 2002, restricts the use of the term "organic" to certified organic producers who must meet stringent requirements. The actual certification is handled by non-profit state agencies that have been approved by the USDA (Department of Agriculture).

Did you know that in the United States there exist three levels of organics?

Products labeled "100% organic" must be made entirely with certified organic ingredients and methods (expensive!)

Products using 95% organic ingredients may also use the term "organic". Both are allowed to display the organic seal of the USDA.

Products containing at least 70% organic ingredients may be labeled "made with organic ingredients" but are not allowed to display the USDA organic seal.

Less than 70% organic ingredients? No seal for you.

Just one last bit of information. Check that package of greens carefully. Why? Because the sellers of products containing less than 70% organic ingredients will sometimes throw in the word "organic" on the label, but doing so is just another way to lead you astray - and make you pay top dollar for that lettuce, spinach, or whatever other green's in the bag.

This page was a bit long, perhaps. Yet we just skimmed over the very vast and controversial topic of natural and organic products. What is my take-home message? Be an informed consumer, maintain a healthy level of skepticism, and do not think that all chemicals or those funny-sounding terms are bad for you. Which reminds me.... perhaps we should talk about paraben. No, just kidding! I will mention paraben & company, but not now. That's for a later topic.

Thank you for your time.

Natural and Certified organic