My Love of Sweet Fresh Citrusy Pink Grapefruit

I hope this post finds you having an end to the hectic holiday week and preparing you for a happy new year!  Botanical name Citrus paradisi commonly known as Pink Grapefruit is one of my favorite essential oils and is an ingredient that is used in some of my body products. Pink Grapefruit has a very sweet fresh citrusy aroma and is pressure extracted from the grapefruit.

The origin of grapefruit plant can be traced back to Asia and is now grown in many regions including the USA, Brazil and Israel. Grapefruit is basically found on the glossy-leaved trees that usually grow 20 feet high bearing white flowers and pale yellow fruits.

It is very rich in Vitamin C and helps in strengthening the body's immune system.  It's known to treat anxiety, skin conditions, stimulate, refesh, uplift, nourish positive emtions, help with weight loss and claim a tired body.

You can find Pink Grapefruit in the Naturally Green Body Wash and Body Moisturizers product line.

Kini Johnson

Naturally Green, LLC.

The Difference Between Organic vs. Natural

So many times people ask, what is the difference between Organic vs. Natural. Consumers are often mislead into believing that if a product is labeled organic or natural that it truely is when in fact it may not actually be either. You should know the difference.

The Organic Trade Association refers to Organic as the way agricultural products are grown and processed.

"Organic" ingredients are produced, manufactured and handled in accordance with stringent methods meeting USDA organic standards. Basically, organic means that the botanical product was grown in a chemical-free environment free of pesticides and fertilizers and maintains and replinshes soil fertility.

"Natural" ingredients are derived from a plant source that retain their “natural properties” in the finished product and made solely from botanical resources without any use of additives or preservatives. Natural products may use fruit juices, pure essential oils and ingredients extracted by pressing, drying, grinding seeds, roots, leaves, fruits, berries, or bark.

The FDA does not regulate the use of the words organic or natural in product labeling. The only way you will know what's in your products is by being a better consumer and educating yourself. Of the 19 products within the Naturally Green product line, 16 are made with no less than 70% certified organic ingredients.

Have a wonderful day!

Kini Johnson
Naturally Green, LLC

Why Small Business Should Oppose FDAG 2009 Cosmetic Legislation

The FDA oversees the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of cosmetics. These are a set of guidelines through the FDA and not current legal requirements. The Energy and Commerce is considering either through revision of the currently pending FDA Globalization Act of 2009 (FDAG 2009/HR 759) or through an entirely new bill to be introduced in the future, to:

1. Make mandatory that all cosmetics companies register their facilities, the products they make and the ingredients contained in those products in a federally maintained database; Naturally Green opposes any new legislation that imposes product and ingredient registration, unless legislation contains an exemption to small businesses.
2. Craft a new set of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Guidelines applicable to all cosmetic companies big or small; Naturally Green opposes mandatory compliance, unless legislation contains an exemption for small business.
3. Include provisions dealing with ingredient safety. Naturally Green opposes any legislation that requires premarket testing of cosmetics made from ingredients that are already confirmed as unharmful.

The FDAG 2009 contains a mandatory registration requirement requiring registration of company name and contact information in addition to each product ingredient to be registered. If this new law passes, Naturally Green will be required to register each new product introduced into the market prior to the marketing of the new product in addition to each ingredient contained in each product.

Small companies who distribute small quantity products such as Naturally Green will be impacted by the new FDAG 2009. The Energy Commerce committee should not consider applying the same FDAG 2009 proposed regulations to small business unless there will be an exemption to small business because we are not on the same playing level as big business.

Naturally Green is currently voluntarily registered with the FDA Voluntary Cosmetic Registriation Program(Registration #E1003042), however, we oppose the new law FDAG 2009. This new law should be developed based on the size of the company and not applicable to big and small companies alike.

Please support Naturally Green's efforts in opposing the FDAG 2009 by blogging your comments here.

Kini Johnson
Naturally Green, LLC.

Product Labeling Ingredients

Prior to my launching of Naturally Green, I, just like everyone else shopped for bath and body based mostly off brand name and attractive colorful product labels. This all changed when I began to run across websites explaining the toxins loaded in synthetically man-made products. It's important to take the time to read all the ingredients on your bath and product labels. Recently, Naturally Green took the initiative to list all ingredients on the FDA Voluntary Cosmetic Registration (VCRP) database fully disclosing all product ingredients. Ingredients are listed in descending order on product labels, as required by the FDA Labeling Guidelines. If you want to know which ingredient has the highest percentage that makes up your body product, it is the first ingredient listed. The last ingredient listed has the lowest percentage.The FDA (VCRP) has recently assigned registration numbers to all Naturally Green products. The VCRP helps the FDA protect consumers and assists manufacturers and distributors in making informed decisions, especially in the area of harmful ingredients. Naturally Green proudly discloses all ingredients on our product labels and on our website.