The Truth About Organic Labeling

Wouldn’t it be nice if the organic label was non-existent?? I mean, as consumers, what if it was just a given that all food was pure and organically produced and packaged with sustainable measures?? Then labeling and marketing would be much different wouldn’t it?

Consider this: if there was a law that food labelers had to accurately label the food that wasn’t organic we would start seeing big, bright, green labels saying things like:

Our choices would be so much easier wouldn’t they?

But we know this is a dream. More than ever, our choices regarding what to feed our families must be made with an increasingly diligent self-education: learning what labels mean what, knowing the difference between “Organic” and “Natural” and truly knowing if an extra two bucks per dozen eggs is really worth it.

According to one study,  the demand for organic food and other products has grown rapidly since 1990, reaching $63 billion worldwide in 2012. More and more people are demanding that their food and other products come from sustainable sources using natural methods free from dangerous chemicals and other harmful components. Knowing this, many companies are quick to jump on the “organic” bandwagon, oftentimes labeling something organic when it may not necessarily be what you think it is. Anyone can slap the “natural” or “organic” label on something, so it’s important to decipher the potential misinformation you might encounter.

So what products are we talking about?

Keep in mind when you hear the term “organic” you may automatically think about food – and rightfully so. But there are also hundreds of products marketed as organic. Clothing, beauty and cleaning products, flooring, lumber, water and many others products and product categories are affected by the term “organic.” All of these products have something in common: they or a large portion of them should come from the earth and should come from a source that has limited the use of various methods of fertilization and pesticide use, particularly synthetic ones.

So what does the term “organic” mean exactly?

The problem, there is not one definition of organic. Here’s a mini guide to help you understand the multitude of oftentimes confusing labels:

There are a lot of claims about what “organic” is and how it, compared to conventional, non-organic products, affects us. Countless studies and articles addressing the risks of conventional foods exist out there that can further your research and help you make the best, most well-informed decisions possible.

Ready to Go Organic?

We found a wonderful resource with a ton of helpful info about “going organic.” According to the article:

What we’re left with is large harvests of fruits and vegetables that, while they might look perfectly healthy, pose a risk to our health through their pesticide content. These agents are used to kill insects, they are powerful substances; substances that should not be consumed by humans.

By definition, a pesticide is a chemical that kills animals. Guess what? You’re an animal…and the same holds true…it just takes longer because humans have more complex structures and greater mass…but just the same, those harmful chemicals build up in the body and do damage.

How Going Organic Benefits Your Body

Where to go from here…

First, trust your instincts, stay educated and keep reading. If you are determined to feed your family well and live an organic-conscious lifestyle, keep searching diligently for the answers you seek. You are in great company these days as more people than ever are seeking the truth of where our most basic products come from.

What about massage lotions?

I use organic massage creams and oils in my Overland Park massage office. Not only for the wellness of my clients but also for myself. The products I use are not only absorbed by my clients’ skin, but because I use them all day long and day after day, I actually absorb a lot of the product myself. If you have concerns about the specific ingredients in the lubricants I use, please reach out with your questions. I will be happy to discuss the specifics with you.