The I-Team investigates non-food organic products being sold in stores.

Both "100% natural" and "Pure and Organic" sound great for the consumer and safe for the environment but exactly what kind of products have consumers been using? 

"We literally are bathing ourselves in chemicals every day," said Adam Eidinger with the Organic Consumers Association.

Eidinger says he is very skeptical of any products marketed as organic. "The U.S. Government is not testing these products to make sure they're pure, to make sure they actually are not contaminated."

The OCA lab-tested 100 soaps and lotions. The results showed nearly half of the items were contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical. Some were contaminated at very high levels.

"I was shocked that so many brands had the 1,4-dioxane in them," said Eidinger.
 
The 1,4-dioxane is created when certain ingredients mix during manufacturing. Studies have linked high concentrations of the chemical to cancer.

"We're talking about increasing your risk of cancer, and introducing a toxic carcinogenic substance into the bloodstream," said Eidinger.

After doing its own tests, the California Attorney General's office filed a lawsuit against Avalon Natural Products, Beaumont Products, Nutribiotic, and Whole Foods Market.

»California Attorney General Lawsuit

State officials said they want the companies to change their ingredients or warn consumers about the cancer-causing chemical.

"Imagine a so-called 'natural' product, flipping it over, and having a warning label saying 'may cause cancer'," said Eidinger.

»Organic Personal Care Products Price Comparison

Some of the confusion resulted from the Food and Drug Administration regulation, which never defined what organic meant for cosmetics.

On bottles, consumers can see "certified organic" ingredients along with warnings like, "Keep out of Reach of Children" and "Use Under Adult Supervision."

Terresentials owner Diana Kaye of Middletown Maryland decided to make her own personal care products that met strict

»Terressentials USDA Certified Organic Personal Care Products

Department of Agriculture (web | news) requirements for organic food. "It seems, because word has gotten out that you can use the word Organic, and you don't have to be Organic !"

To prove her point, she ate her cocoa butter moisturizer. "Really wonderful for your skin. It just happens to be an organic food. Ummm, I love it."

Consumers are advised to look for the USDA organic seal since none of those products has the contamination. Also, in Europe, no levels of dioxane are allowed in any personal care products.

In response to the California lawsuit, the Beaumont Products company reformulated its products to get rid of dioxane. Whole Foods Market said their products are not harmful. Other companies named in the lawsuit haven't officially responded.

Responses to the I-Team Investigation:
»Whole Foods Market Statement

»Organic Consumers Association Letter , »Beaumont Products Response to OCA 

»Avalon Natural Products Statement:
"We are committed to the safety of consumers and apply the highest standards for ingredients and regulatory compliance. Our commitment includes creating safe, effective products that fulfill our consumers’ demand for products that are safe and that perform as intended. We are working closely with the Office of the Attorney General of California to address this matter and anticipate an amicable and fair resolution."
Pati Haworth
Consumer Relations Senior Representative
The Hain Celestial Group


MORE INFORMATION:

»Food and Drug Administration Information on 1,4-Dioxane

»Food and Drug Administration Information on Cosmetics

»Skin Deep: Sponsored by the Environmental Working Group

»Coming Clean: Alerts and warning from the Organic Consumers Association

»The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program

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