RODALE NEWS, BOSTON, MA—You never know what you're going to see, eat, or smell when you come to Natural Products Expo East, a mash-up of food, drink, beauty, cleaning, clothing, and supplements merchandise that will eventually show up on store shelves near you. Though the event's not open to the public, Rodale.com was allowed inside the three-day show for a sneak peek at some of the newest and most exciting products emerging in the natural- and organic-products market. Yesterday things kicked off with a visit to the home of Garden Girl Patti Moreno, which offered plenty of inspiration for anyone wanting to create a natural environment in a small space. Today we take our first look at the show's huge trade floor, and the hundreds of products fighting for attention.
THE DETAILS: The trade show—the largest of its kind on the East Coast—kicked off Thursday and will run through Saturday in Boston. Although the final numbers aren't yet available, organizers anticipate about 1,000 exhibitors and 22,000 attendees, down just slightly from last year's show. It's ranked as one of the top 200 tradeshows in the country by TradeShow Week magazine.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: New natural or organic products are popping up every day, and for someone trying to buy the healthiest products possible, it can get kind of confusing. According to the Organic Trade Association, U.S. sales of organic food and beverages grew from $1 billion in 1990 to more than $23 billion in 2008. The market is exploding, and companies are trying to tap into that, even if their products aren't so green.
Here are some things to consider when shopping for organic and natural products:
• Organic is best in the food department. Companies often promote their products as "natural," but really, that term doesn't tell you anything. Buying USDA-certified organic—or even uncertified organic from a local farmer you trust—insures three major things:
1. The food was grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, linked to certain cancers, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, birth defects, developmental problems in kids, and a whole host of other ailments. Because organic farmers don't use these harmful products, it keeps the poisons off of our food and out of our soil and drinking water.
2. Organic farmers don't use human sewage sludge, or biosolids. This sludge is often contaminated with pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and sometimes supergerms that our antibiotics can't easily kill off.
3. There are no GMOs, or genetically modified organisms. Organic farmers don't use genetically modified seeds, which often are genetically altered to withstand a heavier dousing of pesticides (and therefore encourage the dumping of more toxins into our soil and water). Some crops, especially corn and soy, are modified to create their own pesticide within the plant. Since this technology is relatively new, it's unclear how it's affecting our health.
• It's OK not to be perfect. Sure, the gold standard of green living would involve eating healthy, locally grown, organic whole foods for every meal year-round. But hectic schedules don't always allow for home-cooked meals from scratch, and sometimes you just need to indulge in a snack you didn't pick from a tree. When that's the case, look for healthier versions of typically calorie-laden snacks, such as Pirate's Booty puffed rice and corn snacks instead of greasy potato chips. Or soothe a chocolate craving with something else we found at the show—Sweetriot's one- to two-calorie per "peace" dark chocolate nibs. If you're hungry for ice cream but want to cut calories, try Stonyfield Farm's Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt. It's thicker than regular yogurt, and also better for you; it boasts twice the protein in just 80 calories. Or, opt for Ciao Bella Gelato--the company doesn't use high-fructose corn syrup, or dairy from cows injected with hormones.
• Start with your coffee mug. If you're a regular coffee drinker, you can make a huge impact by choosing coffee grown by small-scale farmers who grow without pesticides—or clearing rainforests. If we had to choose a favorite coffee from the Expo, it would be BuyWell's Screaming Monkey organic, Fair Trade coffee. It's good without any milk or sugar, but consider sweetening your morning cup of joe with agave (we tried organic MADHAVA), a sweetener that comes from cacti and doesn't cause a major spike in blood sugar levels.
• Be wary of "organic" and "natural" beauty and personal-care products. Just because makeup claims to be organic or natural doesn't necessarily mean there aren't any toxic ingredients in the product. For instance, anything that lists "fragrance" or "parfum" on the label should be avoided, along with any PEG or BHA ingredients. Micronized titanium dioxide is in many makeup products and is of concern because its small nanoparticle bits can invade cells. Other ingredients to avoid include parabens, triclosan, oxybenzone, and DMDM. For more information about what's in your cosmetics, shampoo, and other personal-care items, visit
Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, or the Good Guide.
• Take it a step further. Natural Products Expo East reminds us that organic products shouldn't be confined to your kitchen. If you're thinking about adding a piece to your wardrobe, buy from a consignment or thrift shop to recycle someone else's clothing. Or, if you want something brand new, choose clothing grown from organic cotton. This helps keep pesticides out of the water—and maybe off of your skin!