I read an article about organic products in Forbes. The articles is called “Some Marketers Should Reconsider “Organic” Positioning” . I found the following information to be especially helpful.

According to Sonya Lunder, a senior analyst at the research and advocacy organization Environmental Working Group, some fruits and vegetables absorb more pesticides than others. Shoppers who can only afford to buy some organic food should splurge on the organic version of what she calls the “dirty dozen” in produce: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, imported grapes, carrots and pears. These fruits and vegetables absorb more chemicals than others. Onions, avocados, sweet corn and pineapples are among the Environmental Working Group’s “Clean 15? fruits and vegetables, which absorb the least amount of pesticides.

The article also discusses how there are regulations for food to be called organic, but personal care items do not have any certifications.

TerraChoice’s Scot Case says that consumers should be skeptical of organic claims in the areas of “kids, cosmetics and cleaners.” Unlike agriculture, these industries don’t have a standardized organic labeling system. A shampoo may have “organic” on its label because it includes a small amount of organic lavender, but it could still contain chemicals that are harsh on the skin. Case in point: Hair care company Modern Organic Products makes a “molding cream” that received a high toxicity score, according to the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic safety database. Organic-labeled products from Africa’s Best and Organic Bath Co. also scored high in toxicity.

This is why I have become a compulsive label reader. I usually walk away with nothing, because I get so disgusted with what I am reading. There are so many conflicting opinions floating around, I have become very skeptical of everything.