[MPWG] Transparency clarifications

[DianeDonCarlos at aol.com]

clarifications-
I was not suggesting the organic certification process as the transparency 
solution for herbal products i.e.  all herbal product should be "organic". I was 
suggesting that organic certification-the document, the process- be used as a 
model for developing an herbal certification and/or the beginnings of full 
disclosure labeling of herbal products.

Agreed that transparency isn't the only issue, but I feel it is paramount. I 
believe in the power of the consumer. I believe in the intellect and decision 
making if the consumer. If we have full disclosure on the label for the 
contents of the product, then the consumer is faced with a decision i.e. Certified 
Organic Ginseng vs. Wild Crafted Ginseng vs. Standardized Ginseng---the 
consumer now has three choices and must become educated in order to make the 
purchase. Somewhere in that process the consumer might discover CITIES and a host of 
other information. Of course there are those who simply make a purchase based 
upon price. But others, many others, want to know the difference and will 
investigate. Education begins with the label. Labels are on every bottle. The label 
is a powerful tool for raising consciousness.


Diane Don Carlos
Herbalist, Organic Inspector
Sweet Farm
33735 Beech Grove Road
Rutland, OH 45775
740-742-1714
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