“Green,” “No Hormones,” “Microwave Safe,” and More

Being a conscious consumer isn’t as easy as it should be. Companies co-opt people’s real health or environmental concerns, and even trust in science and doctors, for marketing their goods. Product packaging often uses legally meaningless words that justify higher prices, drive sales, and make companies look good without necessarily offering consumers additional value or changing underlying business models.

The list of unregulated and meaningless phrases is lengthy but here are some of our least favorite. 

The term “green” insinuates that a product is environmentally sustainable.  In reality, there is no certified definition. This means a company can slap the “green” label on a product or add it to its name without having to prove its effect (or lack thereof) on the environment. Besides being an empty word, the color green is often used by companies to influence people into thinking their products are environmentally friendly. It’s arguably the laziest form of greenwashing. 

Claiming “no hormones” on eggs, chicken, and pork is like claiming “100% single” on a singles-only dating platform profile. That’s because USDA regulations prohibit chicken and pig production systems from using hormones in the first place. Those who slap “no hormones” on their eggs, chicken, and pork are essentially trying to claim credit for simply following the rules by complying with law.