Animal-friendly since 1970

Since our founding in 1970, we've believed very strongly that effective products can be made without animal ingredients and that animal testing is not necessary to gauge the safety of those products. Our Stewardship Model, which guides all of our decision-making, states that our products must be “free of animal ingredients” and that we must “establish safety and efficacy in our products and ingredients without testing on animals.”

No animal ingredients

Animal-based fats such as tallow are widely used in personal care products. We use vegetable oils like palm, coconut, and olive and their derivatives instead of animal-based options. We also avoid animal-based moisturizers and skin conditioners, relying on ingredients like vegetable glycerin, aloe vera juice, or wheat protein for their moisturizing benefits.

No animal testing

Successfully petitioning the FDA to accept alternatives to animal testing
In 1995, the FDA began requiring animal testing for all fluoride oral care products. Tom’s of Maine was the first company to successfully petition the FDA to accept our innovative alternatives in lieu of animal testing. We use in situ (human subjects wearing special dentures fitted with human enamel blocks) and in vitro (test-tube) studies in place of the industry-standard bovine enamel testing.

Winning the ADA Seal of Acceptance without testing on animals
 The American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, first awarded in 1931, is a trusted symbol of a dental product’s safety and effectiveness. In order to win the Seal, manufacturers must provide clinical data and conduct clinical trials that prove a product’s safety, effectiveness, and promotional claims; maintain manufacturing and laboratory facilities up to established safety and purity standards; and submit ingredient lists and product information for review and approval.

 As part of the acceptance process for our first ADA toothpaste in 1995, our Research and Development team, together with the University of Michigan, proposed a new protocol that would satisfy both the ADA’s fluoride testing criteria as well as our policy against animal testing. Tom’s became the first company to conduct an intraoral remineralization test of human subjects as a substitute to animal testing as part of the ADA acceptance process.

Our animal friendly policies influence everything we do

Awards
Our policies against using animal ingredients and animal testing have led to recognition from respected organizations and media outlets.

• Corporate Integrity Award—Animal Care & Control ACES Awards (2006)
• Taking Action for Animals Corporate Ethic Award for Animal Advocacy—Taking Action for Animals Conference (2005)
• Best toothpaste—Veggie Awards, VegNews (2001-2005)

(See more awards won by Tom's of Maine)

Television ads
Our recent national television campaign featured our stance against animal testing—it was our most popular ad! Watch the ad online.

Kosher and Halal certifications
Our animal-friendly policies help us in gaining Kosher and Halal certification for our products.