A recent inspection of a Tom's of Maine plant in Sanford, Maine, revealed that the company’s toothpaste was produced using contaminated water, along with other health violations, as reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The inspection took place on March 28, 2006. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Tom's of Maine, a popular natural care brand, has been flagged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for serious health violations at one of its manufacturing plants. A recent inspection uncovered that the company’s toothpaste was made with water contaminated with harmful bacteria. The water, used in making Tom’s Simply White Clean Mint Paste, was found to contain disease-causing bacteria. This contamination was discovered in water samples taken between June 2021 and October 2022.
The FDA’s warning, issued to the company’s CEO Noel Wallace, also highlighted another issue with Tom's Wicked Cool! Anticavity Toothpaste. The company had detected a different strain of bacteria in this product but dismissed it as mere "sample contamination," a claim the FDA says lacks proper evidence.
Further concerns were raised when investigators found a mould-like substance near a water storage tank in the Sanford, Maine, facility, along with a powdery residue near the production area where Tom’s Silly Strawberry Anticavity toothpaste is made. The FDA stated that the plant’s water system is insufficient and must be improved.
Another serious concern was the company's handling of consumer complaints. The FDA noted that approximately 400 complaints about unpleasant odour, colour, and taste in Tom's toothpaste products, especially those for children, went uninvestigated. The company’s policy requires that complaints only be looked into if a pattern of issues emerges, which the FDA criticized as inadequate for ensuring consumer safety.
In response to the FDA’s findings, Tom’s of Maine, which is owned by Colgate-Palmolive, assured the public that it is working with the FDA to resolve the issues. A spokesperson stated that the company has always tested its products before they leave the manufacturing plant and expressed confidence in the safety and quality of its products.
While the FDA’s letter listed several violations, it emphasized that this was not an exhaustive list. The company has been urged to identify the causes of these violations and take steps to prevent them from recurring.
Tom's of Maine has already started addressing the issues raised by the FDA and has committed to making necessary changes. The company has also promised to improve its complaint-handling system to ensure that consumer concerns are properly investigated.
