Dr. Bronner Now Part of Whole Foods Trade Program

Whole Foods has accepted Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps into its Whole Trade Program, which the chain uses to mark products with the highest degree of ethics and integrity in its stores.

The program evaluates standards, prices paid to producers, wages and working conditions, and environmental sustainability.

For each Whole Trade product sold, 1% of the retail sale will go to Whole Planet Foundation, to create economic partnerships with the poor through microcredit in communities that make products for Whole Foods Market stores.

Alongside Dr. Bronner's, Whole Foods has accepted Swiss organic and fair trade certifier IMO.

California Files Lawsuit Against Avalon, Whole Foods Brand

The Great State of California (i.e., the Attorney General) has filed a major lawsuit against body care household-cleaning product companies whose products recently tested highest for the carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane, according to the Organic Consumers Association, a "watchdog" organization that released a report in March about the issue.

Their main target? Avalon Natural Products. However, it includes other companies that "have sold products (e.g., body washes, gels, liquid dish soaps) that tested close to or in excess of 20 parts per million for 1,4-Dioxane in the OCA study," which were:

• Whole Foods Market California (365 brand)
• Beaumont Products (Citrus Magic)
• Nutribiotic (See all products tested in the study.)
  

What does this mean for the consumer? Not much - not right now. The complaint is not that this chemical was in the products, but that they were not labeled as products that "may cause cancer."

The lesson here? California is definitely leading the movement towards correct labeling and regulation of personal care and home products...but in the meantime, know your ingredients and READ LABELS. Here's what to look out for (from the OCA press release):

To avoid 1,4-Dioxane, the OCA urges consumers to search ingredient lists for indications of ethoxylation including: "myreth," "oleth," "laureth," "ceteareth," any other "eth," "PEG," "polyethylene," "polyethylene glycol," "polyoxyethylene," or "oxynol," in ingredient names.

Teens Turning Green National Campaign Kick-Off

Friday April 4th of 2008 marked a day in history. At the Broad Street Ballroom in New York City, The Teens For Safe Cosmetics Campaign held their Turning Green-Living Green event. If you weren't there, you definitely missed out! Erin Schrode and her team of green advocates put on an amazing event that featured a short documentary, an absolutely stunning runway show, several organic brands, and a mini-spa to boot.

Tim Daly, from the popular spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, was in attendance along with his wife Amy Van Nostrand to support their daughter Emelyn Daly who was a model in the run-way portion of the event!

All of the models were amazing as they strutted down the run-way in the coolest and hippest organic clothes. Be sure to keep these names in mind for the future, they could be the next top model: Alexandra Vicuna, Cheyenne Kinch, Deepa Satwarine, Dwayne Garner, Emelyn Daly, Erica Fredrickson, Erin Schrode, Hannah Gross, Jade Viggiano, Jenny Osman, Jessica Despagne, Julia Wilfert, Kendra Miller-Rosenberg, Leah Sinderbrand, Taylor Griffin, and Marissa O'Brien.

Everyone who was there walked away with a free goody bag with samples from all of the brands and tasty snacks and treats provided by Whole Foods. They also walked away with a clear message: ORGANIC IS FABULOUS!

We can’t wait for The Teens For Safe Cosmetics Campaign to put on another glamorous event.

Whole Foods To the Rescue

Whole Foods has just released its new certification: Premium Body Care. They are now certifying all of their products under this label to give customers a better idea of what they are purchasing.

From the website: "There are many non-natural components and processes in most U.S. body care products. Even those labeled "natural" may contain harsh preservatives or ingredients with environmental concerns." (We agree.)

Products containing all of those nasty chemicals that we hate will not receive that Whole Foods seal of approval. They have outlawed those harmful ingredients like parabens, polypropylene and polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates.

Among the Whole Foods new set of standards:

Preservatives are necessary in body care products, especially water-based products. Our Premium Body Care standard allows only milder preservatives. They must be shown to function properly, yet have a lower likelihood of causing cosmetic-related allergies and sensitivities.

Surfactants are used for cleaning, degreasing, emulsifying, conditioning and creating foam. They also remove essential fatty acids and may be irritating to the skin. Our Premium standard allows only the safest, most gentle types available.

Fragrance is a component that most people expect in premium products and, if naturally derived, may have aromatherapy benefits, as well. For philosophical and safety reasons, only natural essential oils and components of natural essential oils are allowed as fragrances in our Premium standard.

We're happy that Whole Foods is trying to educate its consumers about the type of products that they are putting on the skin of themselves and their loved ones. And, they're partnering with our friends, the Teens for Safe Cosmetics. Check them both out!