I have been buying Burt’s Bees facial wash, cuticle cream, and shampoos forever. When I travel, I often take along their sampler pack. The beeswax is good for my dry skin and the soaps are gentle.

I read last week that Burt, founder of Burt’s Bees died, and I learned in the obit that he and a partner sold Burt’s Bees to Clorox in the early 2000s. Hmmm. Red Flag. What does the ingredient list look like now? What does the label say? Since I refuse to wear my glasses I have not looked at a label in years.

I adjusted my glasses and was both pleased and displeased.  On the positive side, I read that the brand avoids animal testing, and that the bottles are #2 recyclable and 80% post consumer content. Also positive: no parabens, thalates, sulfates, or petroleum. The front label says 99% natural, which means nothing, and the actual ingredient list was not encouraging. No more beeswax. Number one ingredient is alcohol, which dries my skin. The list of chemicals made my head spin. I hate it when a good company sells out to a chemical manufacturer. Exhibit B: Tom’s of Maine

I also buy Naked Bee lotion so I checked their ownership. Okay, still a family owned business. Another: the venerable Dr. Bronner’s. I already use their soap and the multi-purpose Sal Suds. Bob’s Red Mill, whose products I buy through Amazon is still safe! However, S C Johnson owns Meyers Clean Day and Kellogs owns Kashi Cereal (my favorite).

Why do I care? First, I want quality products for my sensitive skin. Second, I prefer to buy from small businesses, whose ethics are more in alignment with mine. I consider multinational corporations the ultimate evil, in part because of their environment-destroying manufacturing processes and their “ownership” of our politicians. Further, I believe that the companies who buy out a Burt’s Bees or a Tom’s of Maine are not suddenly in favor of promoting healthy, organic products. They know that organic brands sell and that they can profit quickly from buying already-established brands. They can change ingredients to make the line even more profitable. The healthy/organic industry is becoming increasingly consolidated, and  consolidation means that fewer and fewer people are making decisions about how organic food is grown, processed, distributed and sold.”

I will use up my Burt’s Bees and Kashi cereal, and cross them off my shopping list. And in case you have the same concerns,  here is my list of small family owned companies that I still trust. I already buy most of these through Amazon, the best friend of small business. If you live in a bigger town or city, you can find them at small grocers. Everything I could possibly need is available through these companies!

• Amy’s Kitchen (canned goods)
• Applegate Farms
• Bob’s Red Mill (grains, flour, nuts, raisins, cereals)
• Organic Valley
• Nature’s Path
• Lundberg Family Farms
• Equal Exchange
• Eden Foods
• Pacific Natural Foods  (wonderful soup broths)
• Frontier Natural Products
• Dr. Bronner’s
• Naked Bee