There’s been a lot of buzz lately about Monsanto and GMO foods, but companies are not only genetically modifying foods. They’re doing it to natural clothing fibers as well, to cotton especially (it is to help reduce the use of pesticides they claim). Cotton, is three times as important to make sure it stays in its natural state because, not only do we wear the fiber, but the seeds are also used as feed for animals, and oils that we use in our kitchens.
When shopping for organic clothing, it is important to be conscious of the textile dyes that are being used in the fabric, the way that the fabric was processed, and any finishes used on the fabric or garment in the manufacturing process. For example, “green washing” is being done on many levels from companies marketing their products to be made with GOTS (Global Organic Trade Standard) certified organic fibers which they then color using chemical laden dyes to finish the fabrics with! This process negates any organic features about the fabric as it has been saturated in heavy metals, toxic chemicals, etc.
Recently a California Senate committee passed the Industrial Hemp Farming Act. This bill reclassifies hemp in America to be separate from marijuana and allowing farmers to legally grow the crop. If passed by the full California Senate, the law would make the State the 9th State to reclassify this crop.
