NPA Achieves 700th Natural Seal Certification

Natural Seal Program Reaches New Milestone, Helping Millions Find Natural Products

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Natural Products Association(NPA) celebrates the 700th certification of products and ingredients under the popular Natural Seal program. The first and only natural certification in the United States, NPA launched the Natural Standard for Personal Care Products in 2008, certifying both ingredients and products that meet NPA's high standard of natural. Last year, NPA launched the Natural Standard for Home Care Products. These standards support the NPA Natural Seal and identify products that are truly natural. All products with the NPA Natural Seal must meet strict ingredient and processing requirements. Get a complete list at www.TheNaturalSeal.org.

Key facts:

• 85,000+ stores carry products with the NPA Natural Seal
• 472 products and 233 ingredients certified natural
• 63 companies with certified products or ingredients

Consumers can find nearby retailers that sell natural products with the newly-improved Natural Products Store Locator, the most popular section of the NPA website. NPA retail members get listed at www.npainfo.org/storelocator.

"In just over three years, NPA has certified more than 700 products and ingredients under the NPA Natural Seal, helping consumers across the nation find natural products at their favorite stores. We're pleased that the NPA certification program has been such a huge success," said John Gay, NPA executive director and CEO. "Both large and small businesses have earned the coveted Natural Seal. They are helping millions of Americans live natural lives."

"The NPA Natural Seal makes it easier than ever to identify natural products. More and more consumers are recognizing the high bar that the Natural Seal sets for what it means to be natural," said Cara Welch, Ph.D., NPA vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. "Brands that have been certified by NPA know the value of the Natural Seal in a growing marketplace. We're seeing more manufacturers seek NPA certification to appeal to consumers of natural products."

All NPA-certified products have been audited and verified to fit the Natural Standard by an independent third party. Among other requirements, NPA certified products use natural ingredients from a source found in nature that are processed within the list of allowed processes. Products with the NPA Natural Seal must list all ingredients on the package label. NPA also requires 100 percent natural fragrances for personal care products.

NPA offers discounts on products formulated with NPA-certified ingredients. Manufacturers and suppliers can apply for certification at www.TheNaturalSeal.org.

Natural Products Association

The Natural Products Association (NPA), founded in 1936, is the largest and oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to the natural products industry. NPA represents over 1,900 members accounting for more than 10,000 locations of retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products, including foods, dietary supplements, and health/beauty aids. As the leading voice of the natural products industry, the NPA's mission is to advocate for the rights of consumers to have access to products that will maintain and improve their health, and for the rights of retailers and suppliers to sell these products. Visit www.NPAInfo.org.

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SOURCE Natural Products Association