FDA Warns Tom's of Maine Over Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Black Mold in Toothpaste; 400 Complaints Ignored

Nov 19, 2024, 08:42 PM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to Tom's of Maine, a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive ($CL), after inspectors discovered that the company's toothpaste was manufactured using water contaminated with multiple strains of dangerous bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The inspection of the Sanford, Maine facility also revealed the presence of a black mold-like substance. The FDA noted that Tom's of Maine had ignored approximately 400 consumer complaints regarding the color, taste, and odor of its toothpaste. Despite these findings, the Tom's division accounts for less than 1% of Colgate-Palmolive's total annual revenue.