When the product is labeled as “natural,” there are no regulated ingredients, and it can have different meanings. “Organic,” on the other hand, is a strictly defined term and regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture. The National Organic Program (NOP) develops the rules and regulations for the production, handling, labeling, and enforcement of all USDA organic products. Here are two three products, organic and natural that we recently found of interest.

For summer 2020, DeeBee's Organics released in 12,000 retail stores across North America two new  products, including its plant-based Organic SuperFruit Freezie.  DeeBee's Organics shelf-stable freezies are made from premium organic fruits with zero added artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives and are allergen-free of nuts, dairy, fish, wheat, and soy.  

The treat was a bit nostalgic. It took me back to the days on Hovey Place in Gary, Indiana where we ate and sucked on cold “Mr. Freezes” on the neighborhood’s playground picnic bench, under the shady acorn tree.

In collaboration with Disney, DeeBees also produces Organic Ice Wands, as they are called, and feature packaging with characters Anna, Elsa, and Olaf from Frozen 2. The product has under 5g of total sugars and 20 calories per pop.  

At the heart of DeeBee's Organics is founder and Ph.D. medical scientist Dr. Dionne Laslo-Baker, a Canadian expert on the impacts of environmental toxins such as pesticides – especially in the food chain. "My goal for DeeBee's Organics is for every kid everywhere to have access to wholesome, clean-label treats," says Laslo-Baker. DeeBee's Organics is stores including Kroger, Wegmans, Loblaws, Walmart, Albertsons/Safeway, and Whole Foods locations.

Since the pandemic started, Natural Skin Care by Karima has seen its newest all natural-product, Hand Sanitizer Rub, grow. “It has a little lavender scent in it to enhance the product,” says owner and producer Karima Hassan-Bynum. The Clinton, Maryland based company began selling its all natural products in 2011 with a peppermint foot rub product and sales have been stable.

“I wish I could have come up with these products 30 years ago, but being a senior now, I don’t have much time to promote them, but I enjoy making the products,” added  Hassan-Bynum, who sales her products on line and at our most favorite and knowledgeable health store, Browns Market in District Heights, Maryland.