Tom's of Maine is a U.S. manufacturer of

natural Nature is an inherent character or constitution, particularly of the ecosphere or the universe as a whole. In this general sense nature refers to the laws, elements and phenomena of the physical world, including life. Although humans are part ...

personal care products Personal care products are consumer products which are applied on various external parts of the body such as Human skin, skin, hair, Nail (anatomy), nails, lips, external genital and anal areas, as well as Human tooth, teeth and mucous membrane of ...

. Tom's of Maine has been a majority-owned

subsidiary A subsidiary, subsidiary company, or daughter company is a company (law), company completely or partially owned or controlled by another company, called the parent company or holding company, which has legal and financial control over the subsidia ...

Colgate-Palmolive The Colgate-Palmolive Company, commonly known as Colgate-Palmolive, is an American multinational corporation, multinational consumer products company headquartered on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The company specializes in ...

since 2006. The company was founded in 1970 by Tom Chappell and Kate Chappell (née Cheney) in

Maine Maine ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the United States, and the northeasternmost state in the Contiguous United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Provinces and ...

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

History

Tom's of Maine was founded by Tom and Kate Chappell in 1970 with a $5,000 loan, eventually growing into a $100 million business. The company is based in Kennebunk,

, and is a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate

, as of 2006. Tom's of Maine has approximately 120 employees. The company also employs factories elsewhere in the US and Canada via contract to produce some of their products. The company's products are sourced and derived from nature, with formulas that are free of artificial flavors, fragrances, colors, sweeteners, and preservatives. The products are not tested on animals, and the company claims that its ingredient processing is supportive of human and environmental health. While most of the company's products are

vegan Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products and the consumption of animal source foods, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A person who practices veganism is known as a ve ...

, some products contain

propolis Propolis or bee glue is a resinous mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax with exudate gathered from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used as a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the beehive. Pro ...

and/or

beeswax Bee hive wax complex Beeswax (also known as cera alba) is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus ''Apis''. The wax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of worker bees, which discard it in o ...

sourced from

bees Bees are winged insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their roles in pollination and, in the case of the best-known bee species, the western honey bee, for producing honey. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamil ...

. In November 2024, the US

FDA The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food ...

issued a warning to the company after it "found disease-causing bacteria and mold-like and powdery substances in om'sproducts and facilities." At least three species of harmful bacteria were found. The FDA also stated that Tom's had received hundreds of consumer complaints, but had not investigated them. The warning letter mandates that Tom's must submit multiple documents, including "assessments and remediation plans for its operations, contamination hazards, testing methods, ndcleaning procedures."

Acquisition

In 2006, a controlling 84% stake in Tom's of Maine was purchased by

for $100 million; the Chappells own the remaining sixteen percent. The acquisition was significant in getting more consumers to try Tom's of Maine products. The terms of the purchase stipulate that the policies and company culture of the Tom's of Maine brand will be retained.

References

External links

*
Official Colgate-Palmolive website
{{Colgate-Palmolive Brands of toothpaste Companies based in Maine Companies based in York County, Maine Kennebunk, Maine Manufacturing companies based in Maine American companies established in 1970 1970 establishments in Maine Oral hygiene American brands Colgate-Palmolive brands B Lab-certified corporations