USA: Petition urging action on deceptive labeling practices

The Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, and the Organic Consumers Association have filed a petition with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting action on the widespread and blatantly deceptive labeling practices of several “organic” personal care brands that do not comply with the National Organic Program (NOP). The complaint urges the FTC to investigate and consider prohibiting the pervasive use of organic claims on personal care products that do not comply with the NOP. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) enforces strict standards for the labeling of organic food, it has not adequately regulated or enforced organic regulations with respect to personal care products.

Last year, the NOSB formally recommended that the NOP regulate personal care products to ensure that any use of the word “organic” is backed up by third-party certification to USDA organic standards. OCA has filed a complaint with the USDA, urging that agency to regulate cosmetics as they do food. ”The USDA National Organic Program has irresponsibly allowed the market for organic personal care products to be overrun by false organic claims,” said Ronnie Cummins, Executive Director of the Organic Consumers Association. “This kind of deception ends up eroding consumer confidence in all organic products, even food. Hopefully, the FTC can motivate the USDA to protect organic consumers." 

Consumers Union