The New York-based soap, detergent, and oral hygiene producer delivered record revenues and earnings last quarter despite a negative foreign currency translation.

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Back then, the Soap and Detergent Association got an allowance for up to 8.7% phosphate content in dishwasher detergent in state legislation covering laundry detergent, based on its claim that phosphates were needed to clean dishes that had been used for starchy foods, like macaroni and cheese.

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At United Supermarkets, a Texas-based chain of about 50 supermarkets, laundry detergent sales are flat over the past year, and profits in that category are actually down a bit, said business manager Stephanie Black.

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