NPA Celebrates 800th Natural Seal Certification

Natural Seal Program Helps Millions of Americans Identify Truly Natural Products

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Natural Products Association (NPA) has reached another new milestone, celebrating the 800th certification of products and ingredients under the popular Natural Seal program. The first and only natural certification in the U.S., the Natural Seal helps millions of Americans easily identify personal care and home care products that are truly natural. Get a complete list of certified natural products and ingredients at TheNaturalSeal.org.

Natural Products Expo West attendees should plan to attend the NPA Natural Standard Town Hall on March 10 at 2:30 p.m. in Room 213A at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. Find out what ingredients are allowed or prohibited, and why. Learn about the certification process and how to identify truly natural products certified by NPA. Free for Expo West attendees.

Key facts:

• 85,000+ stores carry products with the Natural Seal
• 607 products and 247 ingredients have been certified natural
• 64 companies offer NPA-certified products or ingredients  

Consumers can find local retailers that sell natural products with the Natural Products Store Locator, the most popular section of the NPA website. NPA retail members get listed at NPAinfo.org/storelocator. NPA also offers a wealth of resources at NPAinfo.org/consumers.

"In almost four years, NPA has certified more than 800 products and ingredients under the Natural Seal. More and more consumers are using the Natural Seal to find natural products at their favorite stores," said Jeff Wright, NPA president. "We're pleased that the industry is increasingly rallying to Natural Seal certification. Retailers, manufacturers and suppliers can be confident that a product with the Natural Seal will stand out for consumers."

"The Natural Seal is an easy way to identify natural products for consumers. As consumers demand more natural products, companies participating in the program know the value that the Natural Seal brings to a competitive marketplace," said Cara Welch, Ph.D., NPA vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. "We are seeing more manufacturers apply for NPA certification to appeal to consumers, and more retailers asking their suppliers for products certified natural by NPA."

All NPA-certified products have been verified to fit the Natural Standard by an independent third party auditor. Among other requirements, NPA certified products are at least 95 percent natural—excluding water. NPA-certified products use natural ingredients from a source found in nature and processed within the list of allowed processes. Products with the Natural Seal must list all ingredients on the package label. NPA also requires 100 percent natural fragrances and colorants.

NPA offers discounts on products formulated with NPA-certified ingredients. Manufacturers and suppliers can apply for natural certification at 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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Follow NPA on LinkedIn. Join the Natural Products Group and the Grassroots Action Network.

CONTACT: Michael Keaton
202-223-0101 x108
[email protected]

SOURCE Natural Products Association