A recent article in the environment section of Guardian.co.uk followed a claim made to the US Congress by an environmental consulting firm, TerraChoice, that up to 98% of environmentally friendly products in US supermarkets are sold under outright false or ambiguous pretenses.

TerraChoice's report to Congress, cause for concern

I’ve come across a handful of other articles with similar claims.  With green marketing and eco-labeling companies on the rise, this is clear cause for anxiety.  As concerned consumers flock to the stores hoping to make responsible, green purchases, (toting green Publix or Walmart bags) many are simply being duped.

TerraChoice’s study included roughly 4,000 consumer products.  What they found was greenwashing in nearly every product category.  The report showed false claims, spotty eco-labels with no verifiable authority, and shady language making unclear declarations.

The number of eco-labelers continues to grow, perhaps making it necessary to create a national committee to set and uphold standards.  A study by Walmart found that 57% of its customers showed a concern for the environment…a concern that may be in vein.

>> TerraChoice website