You can find some really good deals on various types of natural, organic products. They may make any number of claims towards being environmentally friendly, such as USDA Certified! Totally organic! And All Natural! You may feel elated knowing you are doing your part to save the environment, however in the back of you mind, do you wonder if what you are buying really is what it says it is? Do you know the eco-lingo? Here is your chance to catch up on your eco-lingo.
Organic - When the label boasts Organic, this tells you that the manufacture is claiming that it is a product that was grown while not using chemicals such as pesticides or fertilizers. On the other hand it could be a product that is made from organic plant processing. For instance, organic fabrics are made of materials such as cotton that includes no chemicals while growing or that organic food includes no fertilizers or pesticides while growing and processing. In other words, there are no chemicals used in organic farming.
Organic - When a label claims organic, its producer is making the claim that the product is grown organically, without the use harmful chemicals found in fertilizers and pesticides or that it is manufactured using organic produce. Organic foods are grown without the use of toxic fertilize or pesticide, while organic fabrics are made of organically grown materials, such as cotton. Keep in mind that organic farming does not include the use of chemicals.
Certified organic labels means that the claims of the producer have been checked and found as true of the practices of farming organically. Various certifying agencies feature various guidelines for manufacturers to abide by, although they do have the same intent. Someone is making sure that manufacturers are abide by the regulations. One such example is Australian Certified Organic, have one of their nine government accredited agencies of Australia audit any questionable manufacturer to find out if the product is indeed organically produced. You should consider that a certified organic product carries more credibility than that of a product claiming to be organic.
Natural - There is ample room for speculation and resourcefulness concerning manufacturers when a label claims that it is natural?. Although there are regulations concerning items claiming? organic?, there are no set rules for the ingredients of a product claiming to be natural. Natural could mean that the ingredients are of a natural source. Natural could mean that some of the ingredients has not gone through any type of processing. Natural could mean that the manufacturer is luring you in with just a word, hoping you will make a purchase. In other words, it is best to double check the motivations of a manufacturer when you find a product with natural plastered on its label.
All Natural - All Natural is a grey area, it can mean just about anything, manufacturers know this, while they make money on your skepticism. This takes into account, customers assumptions as to what all natural may mean. Is it nutritious, healthy, non-allergenic or unprocessed? Only the manufacturer knows, while it can mean anything to any particular customer. In other words, always read the list of ingredients before trusting any claim of all natural rather than just assuming that it is sugar free, low in sodium or free of preservatives.
Why do I care? Well, of course your standards are personal, you choose the products you will consume. If you are going green, you will want these things to matter and make a difference. I mean, what would be the point of purchasing organic clothing if the manufacturer just plasters any old label on the product just because you would be tempted to purchase it because of a eco-friendly label?
Why should you care? Well at days end it is your decision and your standards you abide by when selecting consumer items. When you are consciously going green you want to know that what you do will make a difference in the world today. Consider this, what would be the point of purchasing organic goods if the eco-friendly label is evasive just because it can create a profit for a manufacturer? Learn the lingo and you will not be taken advantage of while choosing what you want to use.
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