Only Organic Debunks Misleading 'Natural' Claims

A public education campaign was launched today to highlight the benefits of organic food and to help consumers understand the difference between products labeled organic and those that are labeled as “natural.”

“Foods made with the use of toxic persistent pesticides and even genetically engineered ingredients are being labeled as natural,” said Gary Hirshberg, Chairman of Stonyfield Farm. “Only organic guarantees that food is produced without the use of toxic persistent pesticides, hormones, antibiotics or genetically engineered ingredients. Only organic gives you complete piece of mind.”

The public education campaign will include videos and social media. The videos help consumers understand the how the “natural” label can be used to confuse shoppers.

Organic foods are subject to stringent environment and animal welfare standards enforced by United States Department of Agriculture.

While the Food and Drug Administration and USDA discourage companies from including “natural” claims on processed foods containing synthetic or artificial ingredients, there is no official definition of “natural” and little enforcement of misleading claims.

“Only organic is produced in a way that Mother Nature would recognize as natural,” said Sarah Bird, Chief Marketing Officer for Annie’s, Inc. “Many products that claim to be “natural” are made with ingredients you couldn’t find in nature – including artificial flavors or colors, synthetic preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, and genetically engineered ingredients.”

Natural claims have been added to everything from cooking oils made from genetically engineered crops to ice cream made from cows pumped full of growth hormones.

“Many consumers mistakenly believe that foods labeled as ‘natural’ are better than food that has been certified as organic,” said Lewis Goldstein, Vice President of Brand Marketing at Organic Valley. “Organic food starts with organic farming, from the ground up. Only organic is subject to tough, enforceable standards created by the USDA designed to insure that our families can count on their food being produced in ways that protect their health, the environment, and the welfare of farm animals.”

The public education campaign is being launched by Organic Voices, a non-profit organization, and is supported by organic companies and other companies, including AllergyKids, Annie’s, Earthbound, Happy Family, INFRA, Late July, Nature’s Path, NCGA, Organic Valley, Rudi’s, and Stonyfield.

“Many products carry the ‘natural’ claim when there is nothing natural about them,” said Darren Mahaffy, Vice President of Marketing at Nature’s Path Foods.   “As a result, many consumers are buying products they think are the same – or even better – for their families and the environment than organic.”

A recent survey found that consumers commonly believe that “natural” foods do not contain artificial ingredients.

“The public needs new tools to understand the benefits of organic and to be able to distinguish between organic foods and all other unverified claims,” said Laura Batcha, Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association.

AGENCY:  Humanaut

CLIENT NAME:  Only Organic

SPOT TITLE:  The Natural Effect

CREATIVE ADVISOR:  Alex Bogusky

CREATIVE DIRECTOR:  David Littlejohn

COPYWRITER:  David Littlejohn

COPYWRITER:  Jason Corbin

ART DIRECTOR:  Stephanie Gelabert

ART DIRECTOR:  Chad Harris

PRODUCTION COMPANY:  Fancy Rhino, Chattanooga, TN

DIRECTOR:  Daniel Jacobs

PRODUCER: Katie Nelson

PRODUCTION DESIGNER:  Chad Harris

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY:  Andrew Aldridge

EDITOR:  Andrew Aldridge

MUSIC COMPANY & CITY:  Skypunch Studios, Chattanooga, TN

COMPOSER:  Carl Cadwell

MEDIA STRATEGY:  Ikon3