If you’re conscious about animal welfare and the impact of your product purchases, you may be wondering if Arm and Hammer is a cruelty-free and vegan brand. We’ll detail the policies and practices of this brand to answer that question in detail.
What is Arm and Hammer and do they test on animals?
Overview of Arm and Hammer
Arm & Hammer is a brand of household and personal care products owned by Church & Dwight Co., Inc. The brand dates back to 1867 and started as a baking soda manufacturer. Today, Arm & Hammer is known for its laundry detergent, toothpaste, and baking soda products.
Animal Testing Policy
Arm & Hammer has an animal testing policy that outlines its stance on animal testing. In a statement on their website, they claim they “do not conduct animal testing and do not use animals when required by law.” This means that they don’t test their products or their ingredients on animals except when required by law.
Third Party Certifications
Arm & Hammer is not certified by any third party organization as cruelty-free. However, they claim that they’re committed to animal welfare and comply with all regulations regarding animal testing.
Is Arm and Hammer Cruelty-Free?
Explanation of Cruelty-Free
Cruelty-free refers to products and brands that don’t test on animals. This means that the product or its ingredients weren’t tested on animals at any stage of the product development process, from conception to final product.
Arm and Hammer’s Animal Testing Policy
Arm & Hammer doesn’t test its products or ingredients on animals except when required by law. This means that they’re not entirely cruelty-free, as some of their products may have been tested on animals in jurisdictions where animal testing is required by law.
Third Party Certifications
Arm & Hammer is not certified by any third-party organization as cruelty-free. This means that their claims about not testing on animals are not independently verified. However, they claim to comply with all regulations related to animal testing.
Is Arm and Hammer Vegan?
Explanation of Vegan Products
Vegan products are those that don’t contain any animal-derived materials or ingredients. This includes animal by-products like honey, beeswax, and lanolin.
Arm and Hammer’s Ingredient Sourcing
Arm & Hammer claims that their ingredients are sourced from suppliers that don’t use animal products. However, some of their products, particularly toothpaste, may contain a controversial ingredient called glycerin, which can be derived from animal fat. Glycerin can also be made from plants, so it’s unclear which source Arm & Hammer uses.
Product Categories
Arm & Hammer has a range of products, including laundry detergents, toothpaste, and baking soda. While some of their products may be vegan, others may not fit the criteria due to potentially animal-derived material in their ingredients.
Are there any Exceptions to Arm and Hammer’s Cruelty-Free or Vegan Policies?
Explanation of Exception Cases
Some brands may make exceptions to their cruelty-free or vegan policies in certain circumstances. For example, they may allow animal testing for regulatory purposes or use animal-derived materials when there are no alternatives.
Arm and Hammer’s Parent Company
Church & Dwight Co., Inc, the parent company of Arm & Hammer, is not a cruelty-free company. This means that some of its subsidiaries may not be cruelty-free either, including Arm & Hammer.
Manufacturing in China
Arm & Hammer doesn’t sell its products in China. However, if they were to manufacture their products in China, they would be required to test them on animals by law. This means that if Arm & Hammer products were manufactured in China, they wouldn’t be cruelty-free.
What are Some Cruelty-Free and Vegan Alternatives to Arm and Hammer?
Brands with Cruelty-Free and Vegan Products
If you’re looking for cruelty-free and vegan alternatives to Arm & Hammer, there are many brands that fit the criteria. Some of them include Mrs. Meyers, Seventh Generation, and Dr. Bronner’s.
Product Recommendations for Laundry Detergent and Toothpaste
If you’re specifically asking for cruelty-free and vegan laundry detergents, you may want to try Seventh Generation, Method, or Ecos. For toothpaste, look for brands like Tom’s of Main or Jack N’ Jill.
How to Ensure Products are Cruelty-Free and Vegan
It’s essential to verify a brand’s cruelty-free and vegan status by checking their animal testing and ingredient policies. Look for brands that are certified by third-party organizations to ensure their claims are independently verified. You can also check with vegan and cruelty-free advocate groups to see if they endorse a particular brand or product.
In conclusion, Arm & Hammer claims that they don’t test their products or ingredients on animals, but they’re not certified by any third-party organization as cruelty-free or vegan. Some of their products may be vegan, but others may not be due to their ingredients.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a genuinely cruelty-free and vegan alternative, it’s best to look for certified alternatives that you can trust.
