Greenwashed Labeling and Ads: Don’t Be Fooled by the “Natural” Trap

It’s happened to all of us. You’re walking down the grocery aisle, feeling good about your health-conscious choices, and a bright, cheerful label catches your eye. It says something like “All-Natural!” or “Made with Organic Ingredients!” You toss it into your cart, thinking you’ve made the best choice for yourself and your family. 

But here’s the kicker: that “natural” product might be no better than the junk food or chemical-laden cleaners it’s sitting next to. In fact, it’s part of a sneaky marketing tactic known as greenwashing. It sounds environmentally friendly, but it’s actually just a way for companies to slap some healthy-sounding words on their products to make them seem better than they really are.

What is Greenwashing?

Greenwashing is when companies use misleading labels, images, or ads to make their products seem more eco-friendly, healthy, or natural than they really are. And it’s everywhere! From food to household cleaners to skincare, brands know that we’re more likely to buy something if it promises a natural, healthy lifestyle. But the truth? Many of these claims are as flimsy as a piece of plastic-wrapped, non-recyclable packaging.