France-based Ton Savon earns certification from USDA's National Organic Project, becomes only company in the world that can legally sell French organic soap in U.S., can use 'Made with Organic Ingredients' label without incurring US$11,000 fine from USDA

Michelle Rivera

LOS ANGELES , October 28, 2011 (press release) – Ton Savon, a leading manufacturer of private label health and beauty products from the South of France, has earned certification from the USDA's National Organic Project (NOP) making it the only company in the world which can legally offer French organic soap for sale in the United States without risking retailers a heavy fine. The company will preview these NOP-certified soaps for the first time at the Private Label Marketing Association expo in Chicago on November 13.

NOP is the U.S. government's official regulating body for use of the term "organic" in any capacity on the packaging of food, health and beauty products sold within the United States. NOP does not accept foreign organic accreditations from the European Union or France, which is the heart of the world's bath and beauty industry. As the only soap production facility in France to earn NOP certification directly, Ton Savon's private label soaps can be labeled as "Made with Organic Ingredients" without incurring the $11,000 fine the USDA is authorized to impose on retailers not in compliance.

NOP has organic certification exchange agreements with only a handful of countries and does not recognize independent organic certifiers in the United States either. Retailers selling private label organic soap should consider auditing their suppliers to ensure they are not risking citations and fines. The NOP initiatives protect consumers from misuse of the term "organic" and make identifying organics in the marketplace easy.

As part of the NOP certification, Ton Savon can now also offer private label organic liquid soaps, shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, shower gels, shea butter and even lip balm bearing the sought-after USDA Organic seal.

"We felt it was important for Ton Savon to go through the process of earning NOP certification to protect our retailers," notes Vincent Elhaik, Senior Vice President of Ton Savon. "Retailers now have a supplier they can turn to for organic soaps from France without the risk of controversy or fines from the USDA."

Ton Savon has formulated many prestige brands sold in boutiques such as Sephora and Anthropologie, as well as high-quality private label and exclusive natural and organic HBC products for market leading natural food stores, grocery, drug, and club chains including Trader Joes and Costco. Ton Savon's exclusive ability to provide private label soap from France with the phrase "made with organic ingredients" gives retailers another reason to turn to the company already recognized for 100% vegetable triple milled soaps and other luxurious formulations for face, body, hair and home. Ton Savon's own organic consumer brand, Pure Provence, will also roll out a new label touting adherence to NOP standards. This provides retailers with a turnkey solution for offering organic soaps from France.

More information about Ton Savon can found at http://www.tonsavon.com or by visiting the company's booth (#7401) in Chicago from November 13-15 on the exhibit floor of the PLMA Show at the Rosemont Convention Center. For more than 30 years, PLMA's annual trade show has been the industry event of the year where supermarkets, drug chains, mass merchandisers, wholesalers, importers and exporters, discounters and convenience stores, even military exchanges, have come to find products and suppliers. More than 2,000 exhibit booths are presenting at this year's show.

About Ton Savon...

Ton Savon is a leading manufacturer of private label bath and beauty products from the South of France. The company is recognized for 100% vegetable triple milled soaps, a focus on natural and organic ingredients, and creating luxurious formulations for face, body, hair and home. Ton Savon has formulated many prestige brands sold in boutiques such as Sephora and Anthropologie as well as high-quality exclusive and private label natural and organic HBC products for market leading natural food stores, grocery, drug, and club chains including Trader Joes and Costco.

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