Healing Arts Stores, LLC

11 Cedar Lane

Weston, CT  06883

May 4, 2010

P: 203-226-0248

jed@healingartsguide.com

Spa Hospitality Expo – Spring 2010

Global Spa & Wellness Exposition

The first virtual trade show for professionals in the global Spa & Wellness

Market opens May 26, live and interactive on the Internet, the show runs for 90 days.  Hosted by Healing Arts Guide, Spa Hospitality Expo takes the most successful elements of traditional events and brings these elements into a virtual world.  Attendees at a very high level have registered to enjoy free education, product demos, event networking, presentations and prizes.

More then forty of the best suppliers are exhibiting in two virtual trade show floors.  Attendees will be able to chat live with executives from each company, source new products, receive free education and discounts on first orders from most brands.

Jeffrey Hollander, Founder & CEO of Seventh Generation will deliver the Key Note address on May 27.  The topic of his presentation: The Responsibility Revolution, How The Next Generation Of Businesses Will Win.  “We are excited to have Jeffrey deliver the Key Note address for the first virtual exposition in the Wellness Market”, said Jed Horowitz, founder of Healing Arts.  “Responsible capitalism is a topic we have covered extensively since our inception six years ago.”

“Advanced digital delivery of content is an imperative for the Spa & Wellness market,” said Mr. Horowitz. “SHE gives brands exposure and reach at a fraction of the cost of traditional shows, eliminates travel and creates linked integrated solutions for suppliers. We are delivering a new low cost high reach program for our sponsors and connecting them with buyers around the globe in a new dynamic platform.”

Free registration is open and interested professionals can go to www.healingartsguide.com and click on the registration link direct from the home page.  Or drop Jed Horowitz a note at jed@healingartsguide.com   - We look forward to chatting live with you May 26 & 27.

The Demeter Association Inc. would like to make the following clarifications concerning its relationship with Eminence Organic Skin Care.

Demeter is an international organization that was formed in Europe in 1928 to promote Biodynamic® farming.  A certification system, defined by rigorous farming and processing standards, was developed.  Today, an international standard for the farming and processing of Demeter products exists worldwide and is implemented through a network of individual certification organizations in 45 countries around the world.

In the United States, both DEMETER® and BIODYNAMIC® are held as registered certification marks by the Demeter Association.  Demeter is a not-for-profit and the goal of holding these certification marks is to protect the integrity of Biodynamic agriculture.  In order to use the terms BIODYNAMIC, DEMETER, and DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC in reference to a product or farm, the product has to meet the Demeter Processing Standard, and the farm has to meet the Demeter Farm Standard.  These standards create a base marketplace definition for the benefit of consumers and producers.

Eminence Organic Skin Care is currently certified as a Trader of Demeter certified product in the USA. Eminence is approved to import Cosmetic/ Body Care Products into the USA that are certified by Demeter International to the Demeter Processing Standards and label them with the DEMETER / BIODYNAMIC certification marks. Eminence’s current Trader certification applies to nine products certified to the third labeling tier of the Cosmetic and Body Care Standard that allows use of the BIODYNAMIC certification mark in the ingredient statement only as noted in section 10.3.2.3 of the Demeter Cosmetic and Body Care Standard.

10.3.2.3     Use of the words DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC is permitted in the ingredients list only when:

The label “Demeter Certified Biodynamic” is used only in conjunction with the Demeter Certified Biodynamic ingredient(s), and

The product meets an “organic” or “natural” standard approved by Demeter Association (e.g. BDIH, BIOKONTROLL Hungary, Cosmos, Ecocert, NaTrue, NSF etc) concerning all processes, additives and ingredients, and be labeled as such, or

The product meets this standard with the exception of one or more ingredients of non- agricultural origin permitted in a “natural” standard mentioned above, and

Font style and size for use of the Demeter Certified Biodynamic is the same as the text used on the information panel, i.e. lower case, bold and in italics.

The DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC trademark logos cannot be used anywhere on the product label. Marketing and labeling must not mislead the consumer into thinking the product qualifies as DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC.

The other two Demeter Cosmetic/ Body Care labeling categories, under which the 9 Eminence products currently do not qualify for, include:

10.3.2.1            DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC product (i.e. Demeter Certified Biodynamic Skin Cream)

In order to use the Demeter Certified Biodynamic labeling category the following conditions must be met:

These standards are met

The ingredient included in the name is DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC quality

At least 90% of all ingredients are of agricultural origin and are DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC quality.

The remaining ingredients of agricultural origin may be certified organic if documented unavailable in DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC quality, and

Any remaining ingredients of non-agricultural origin must be listed in Section 6.

The Demeter logo may be used on the primary display panel, conforming to the requirements detailed in the Demeter Association Labeling Standards.

10.3.2.2            Made With DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC Ingredient Product (i.e. Skin Cream, Made With Biodynamic Ingredients)

In order to use the Made with Demeter Certified Biodynamic Ingredient Product labeling category the following conditions must be met:

These standards are met The ingredients included in the name are DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC

At least 70% of the ingredients of agricultural origin are DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC quality

The remaining ingredients of agricultural origin are certified organic, or are non agricultural ingredients from the list in Section 6

The Demeter logo cannot be used on the primary display panel but may be used on the side panel.

Demeter is not a USDA National Organic Program (NOP) accredited certifier.   The Demeter Processing Standards are a compilation of product specific standards.  There are eighteen in all, and in addition to the Cosmetic and Body Care Products Standard, others include Fruit and Vegetable Products, Nut Seed and Kernel Products, Bread, Cake and Pastry Products, Herbs and Spices, Meat and Meat Products, Milk and Milk Products, Oils and Fats, Sweetening Agents, Textile and Fiber Products and Wine. 

Should anyone wish to review the Farm or Processing Standards they are welcome to request them from the Demeter office.

Sincerely,

Jim Fullmer/ Demeter Association Inc.

541-929-7148  jim@demeter-usa.org

 COMPANY STATEMENT

ON CLAIMS MADE AGAINST 13 BRANDS

January 26^th, 2010

On January 14^th, 2010 the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and three other parties affiliated with personal care companies filed a complaint with the USDA. At the same time, the complaint was widely spread through online and offline media. The complaint (not lawsuit) questioned the use of the word “organic” in connection with the products made by these 13 companies, including our brand, ilike organic skin care.

Szep Elet strongly supports movement toward clearer AND more universal standards for qualification and communication of what is and is not “organic”.  The clarity and understanding of, adherence to and compliance with standards in the U.S. has been lacking.  Furthermore, there has been little progress toward universally understood and accepted standards or requirements that cross international boundaries.

However, we do not support misplaced accusations that are not based on fact, are blatantly not true and which if not refuted create a false impression and damaged reputation.  We also strongly object to the language used which is also directed at ilike organic skin care such as “fake”, “cheater”, etc. considering the lack of research that went into the information about our products.  No one from the OCA or other parties behind the complaint has ever contacted Szep Elet for information.  And the portion of the complaint which covers ilike organic skin care products totals only 2 short paragraphs yet includes statements such as “…few if any of the ingredients are actually organic.” 

In the complaint there are highlighted ingredients about one of our products. These include organic and natural and other ingredients all allowed under USDA regulations overseeing use of “organic” in labeling.  The only exception is methyl glucose sesquistearate (0-1 hazard score on Skin Deep) which is no longer in the product but the updated label is not featured in the complaint. 

It is clearly THE intention of this complaint to make it mandatory to get USDA certification in order to use the word “organic” in the United States. 

To quote the OCA website:

“We're encouraging our members to switch to USDA certified organic body care and cosmetics products, as part of a New Year's Resolution to "be more organic" in 2010.”

Another quote:

"We're starting right now to plan for a national public education [campaign] ... to get out the very simple message to consumers on a mass scale - because the mass media are going to pick up on this - [not to] trust any 'organic' personal-care products that lack the USDA seal," OCA Executive Director Ronnie Cummins told "The Rose Sheet" July 21.

And this route may be the way to go. But the method of getting there should not be without limits. 

Certification requires a large investment of time and money and there are numerous personal care product certifying organizations around the world that are highly respected.  Numerous companies and brands have invested in non USDA certifications.

It also should not be overlooked that as recently as 4 ½ years ago the USDA was refusing to allow use of the USDA certified organic seal on personal care products:

ESCONDIDO, Calif., June 2, 2005 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Dr. Bronner's & Sun Dog's Magic…, makers of certified organic food-grade lotions, lip balms and body balms, is today announcing its intention to continue to label its products "certified organic" in accordance with the US Department of Agriculture National Organic Program ("NOP") rules and to display the USDA seal. Although USDA has informally indicated that it now believes personal care products cannot be so labeled, that position "represents a clear reversal of USDA's prior policy and cannot be lawfully enforced," stated company president David Bronner.

Other certifiers around the world have been actively certifying and have clearly stated their areas of responsibility for much longer than 4 ½ years.  The United States is playing catch up with many parts of the world, especially Europe, when it comes to natural and organic. 

While the U.S. is a very important market for ilike organic skin care, our products are distributed in 41 other countries around the world (under the Ilcsi organic skin care brand in all countries outside of N. America).  Several years ago it was decided that our products would be certified through the widely recognized and respected German based certifier BDIH.

Our Hungarian manufacturer’s farm, where our botanical ingredients are harvested from, is certified organic by Biokontroll Hungary. The EU Decree 2092/91/EGK (referred to by both Biokontroll and BDIH) certifies plants that are collected in wild areas within the European Union as organic. Many herbs cannot be successfully grown in controlled conditions so our manufacturer gathers many of the herbal ingredients from the wild.

The manufacturing and research and development of our products are certified by ISO 9001:2001.

And finally, BDIH is certifying the end products. Currently 18 products of the line are certified by BDIH, 50 are about to be certified and the rest are at various stages in the process. 

Regarding labeling, ilike organic skin care products are labeled according to international INCI standards.  We only use the BDIH certified label on the products that are already certified. 

Our company’s philosophy has always been to encourage sustainability and the use of natural and organic products. The ilike organic skin care line utilizes handmade, cold processed raw fruit, vegetable and herbal pulps instead of commercially purchased extracts in order to avoid any hidden ingredients and to never lose the traceability of our ingredients. By basing our products on our own organic pulps we can also provide nutrients in our skin care products which are in the rawest form for the highest possible nutrient level. Every step of the process is done by hand except for the final mixing stage.  We believe this is the best way to provide pure and effective skin care that is eco-conscious.

Please review our listing on the BDIH website:

http://www.kontrollierte-naturkosmetik.de/e/producer_natural_cosmetics.htm

Please review the BDIH certification requirements:

http://www.kontrollierte-naturkosmetik.de/e/guideline_natural_cosmetics.htm

We at Szep Elet hope that this information provides some clarity about the issues at hand.

We continue to be proud to provide the award winning ilike organic skin care line, and we are happy to answer any questions or clear any concerns caused by the above claims.

Darren Hickman

President

Szép Élet - ilike organic skin care

toll free: 1.888.290.6238

www.szepelet.com

Organic Consumers Association and Certified Organic Brands File Federal Complaint with USDA Against Organic Personal Care 'Cheater Brands'

Complaint Requests Federal Investigation into Deceptive Organic Labeling and Advertising of Personal Care Products

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Organic Consumers Association (OCA), along with certified organic personal care brands Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps,  Intelligent Nutrients, and Organic Essence, today filed a complaint with the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), requesting an investigation into the widespread and blatantly deceptive labeling practices of leading "Organic" personal care brands, in violation of USDA NOP regulations. To view the complaint, go to: http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare.

The complaint, filed collectively on behalf of 50 million consumers of  organic products, argues that products such as liquid soaps, body washes, facial cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizing lotions, lip balms, make-up and other cosmetic products produced by twelve different corporations have been advertised, labeled and marketed as "Organic" or "Organics" when, in fact, the products are not "Organic" as understood by reasonable consumers.  

"Unfortunately, the hands-off regulatory approach by the USDA's National Organic Program during the Bush years failed to protect consumers from deceptive labeling in the personal care marketplace," said Ronnie Cummins,  Executive Director of the Organic Consumers Association. While the USDA enforces strict standards for the labeling of organic food, the NOP has not enforced the organic regulations in regards to personal care. "Given the increased resources and staffing at the National Organic Program under Obama, we're optimistic that the situation will be rectified before too much more damage is done," added Cummins.  

"Consumers who pay a premium for high-end organic products expect the main cleansing and moisturizing ingredients of a product labeled 'Organic' to be made from certified organic agricultural material produced on organic farms, and not from petrochemicals or pesticide and herbicide-intensive conventional farming," explains Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Intelligent Nutrients (and founder and previous owner of Aveda Corp).  

The corporations named in the complaint are The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.; Kiss My Face Corporation; YSL Beaute, Inc. ("YSL"); Giovanni  Cosmetics, Inc. ("Giovanni"); Cosway Company, Inc. ("Cosway"); Country Life, LLC ("Country Life"); Szep Elet LLC (makers of Ilike Organic Skin  Care); Eminence Organic Skin Care, Inc.; Physicians' Formula Holdings, Inc. (makers of Organic Wear); Surya Nature, Inc.; Organic Bath Company, Freeman Beauty Division of pH Beauty Labs, Inc. (makers of Freeman Goodstuff Organics).  

David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, stated, "Yesterday we re-filed our lawsuit in federal court against culprit companies under the Lanham Act for false advertising. One way or another, the era of ripping off organic consumers in personal care will soon come to an end."  

Ellery West, founder and owner of Organic Essence adds, "The predatory marketing practices of companies that take advantage of consumer trust in the organic label are cheating not only organic consumers but also small certified companies like ourselves."  

On November 5, 2009, the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)  formally recommended that the National Organic Program regulate personal care to ensure that any use of the word "organic" on a personal care product is backed up by third-party certification to USDA organic standards. Immediately following the recommendation, the OCA launched a consumer boycott of the major "Organic" cheater brands, and has produced a list of USDA certified organic brands that are true to their claims and are safe for Organic consumers.  

For more information on the Organic Consumers Association's Coming Clean campaign, go to: www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare.

SOURCE Organic Consumers Association

National Organic Standards Board Votes to Crack Down on Organic Personal Care Cheaters

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a milestone victory resulting
from years of work by the US organic community to address known fraud in the
organic marketplace, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has voted 12
to 1 for the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to enforce the law for
organic personal care just like they do for organic food. This would mean
shampoos and other body care products that claim to be organic, but are not
certified, would be forced to drop the organic claims made on their products
or improve formations to meet organic standards. 

"I'm really pleased by the NOSB's recommendation," says Ronnie Cummins,
Executive Director of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA). "Brands that
are using the word organic improperly should be on notice that USDA
enforcement is imminent. Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan has said that she
is going to get 'tough on crime' in the organic industry. At the NOSB meeting
this week, National Organic Program director Miles McEvoy announced a 'new age
of enforcement' in organic. I expect them to make organic cosmetics fraud a
top priority. In the meantime, retailers should start cleaning up their body
care aisles. Whole Foods Market, for one, was a big supporter of the NOSB
recommendation."

At the end of September, the OCA promised to announce the names of brands that
have cheated consumers for years and recommend honest organic brands in order
to promote certified organic personal care.  As of today, the Boycott/Buycott
is in effect.  

Major Brands OCA Will Boycott:
Desert Essence Organics Body Care, Organics by Noah's Naturals, Giovanni
Organic Cosmetics, Nature's Gate Organics, Amazon Organics, JASON Pure Natural
and Organic, and Avalon Organic

Major Brands With USDA Organic Seal and OCA recommends to BUY:
Alteya, Amrita, Baby Bear Shop, Badger Balm, Buddha Nose, Dr. Bronner's Magic
Soaps, Earth Mama and Angel Baby, Kimberly Organics, Little Angel, Mercola,
Motherlove, ONEgroup, Organicare, Origins Organics, Purely Shea, Rainwater
Organic Lotion, Rose Tattoo Aftercare, SoCal Cleanse, Seasons of the Soul,
Sensibility Soaps/Nourish, Terressentials, Trillium, Vermont Soap 

Dan Giacomini, the only NOSB member who voted against the personal care
recommendations did so because he felt the board was looking at things in a
limited way. He wanted to address fraud in all product sectors, such as dry
cleaning and not simply personal care.   

The Coming Clean Campaign has been working to clean up the natural and organic
personal care industry for the past six years. To view the Certification
Commitment Contract; the NOSB Recommendation or for further information on the
Coming Clean Campaign, go to:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm



SOURCE  Organic Consumers Association

Alexis Baden-Mayer, +1-202-744-0853, alexis@organicconsumers.org, or Ronnie
Cummins, +1-218-349-3836, ronnie@organicconsumers.org, both of the Organic
Consumers Association