Tom's of Maine
Last verified: April 2026
Read our full verification: Is Tom's of Maine Made in USA?Verification Summary
American Score
Manufacturing Location
Kennebunk, ME
Headquarters
Kennebunk, ME
Founded
1970
Products Verified
15 products
Evidence Breakdown
Factory Location Specificity
Specific factory city identified
Website Claim
Brand website explicitly claims Made in USA
Manufacturing History
20+ years of USA manufacturing
Known Overseas Production
This brand also makes some products overseas. Only verified USA-made items are listed.
Verification Notes
Natural personal care products made in Kennebunk, ME since 1970. Now owned by Colgate but domestic manufacturing maintained. Website states Made in USA. WARNING (2026-03-20): FDA warning letter issued Nov 2024 for Sanford ME facility citing contaminated water in toothpaste production. Class-action lawsuit filed late 2024. Core toothpaste/deodorant still made in Sanford ME, but many newer product lines (baby, body lotion) manufactured by contract manufacturers in NM, NJ, NY. Facility NOT closed but under regulatory scrutiny.
Last verified: April 2026
Tom's of Maine has been manufacturing products in Kennebunk, ME since 1970. We carry 15 verified American-made Tom's of Maine products.
Heritage & History
Tom and Kate Chappell moved to Maine in 1968 and two years later founded Tom's of Maine with a $5,000 loan, motivated by a desire to create personal care products free of synthetic chemicals and artificial preservatives. Their first product was a phosphate-free laundry detergent, followed quickly by a fluoride-free toothpaste made with naturally derived ingredients. The natural personal care market was essentially nonexistent in 1970, and Tom's spent years educating consumers that natural alternatives could work as well as conventional products.
Colgate-Palmolive acquired an 84% stake in Tom's of Maine in 2006, a transaction that raised concerns among loyal customers. Tom and Kate Chappell negotiated terms that preserved the brand's natural formulations, its Kennebunk manufacturing base, and its charitable giving commitments — the company has donated 10% of profits to nonprofits since its founding. The Maine factory and the original mission have continued under Colgate ownership.
Made in Kennebunk, Maine
Tom's of Maine manufactures its full line of toothpastes, deodorants, mouthwashes, and bar soaps at its production facility in Kennebunk, Maine, a small coastal town in York County. The Kennebunk factory has been the brand's manufacturing home since inception, and it remains so more than 50 years later. The facility produces millions of units annually while maintaining the naturally derived ingredient standards that distinguish Tom's products from conventional personal care brands.
The Maine location is more than a historical artifact — it connects the brand to a state with a strong tradition of environmental stewardship and community-scale manufacturing. Tom's sources naturally derived ingredients including fluoride from natural mineral sources, hydrated silica, and plant-derived surfactants, and subjects all ingredients to a "natural substance review" process at the Kennebunk operation. The factory's continued operation in Maine is a tangible commitment to the community and values Tom and Kate Chappell established in 1970.
Quick Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tom's of Maine made in the USA?
Yes. Tom's of Maine manufactures 15 verified products in Kennebunk, ME. Tom's of Maine has manufactured natural toothpaste, deodorant, and personal care products at its Kennebunk, Maine factory since 1970, founded on the belief that effective products do not require artificial ingredients.
Where is Tom's of Maine manufactured?
Tom's of Maine is headquartered in Kennebunk, ME. Manufacturing takes place in Kennebunk, ME.
What Tom's of Maine products can I buy?
We carry 15 verified Tom's of Maine products across Health & Personal Care. Every listing links directly to Amazon with verified American manufacturing.
When was Tom's of Maine founded?
Tom's of Maine was founded in 1970. Tom's of Maine has manufactured natural toothpaste, deodorant, and personal care products at its Kennebunk, Maine factory since 1970, founded on the belief that effective products do not require artificial ingredients.
Does Tom's of Maine ship from Amazon?
Yes, all Tom's of Maine products listed here are available on Amazon with free shipping for Prime members.