Today (January 15), it was reported that numerous U.S. parents have recently filed lawsuits in federal courts in Illinois and California, accusing Procter & Gamble’s Crest children’s toothpaste, as well as several toothpaste products under Colgate’s Tom’s of Maine and Hello brands, of containing fluoride, which could be harmful to children if ingested in large amounts. Other products facing similar scrutiny include Firefly anticavity mouthwash by Dr. Fresh and ACT Kids mouthwash by Sanofi.
The lawsuits center on claims that these manufacturers engaged in misleading marketing practices when selling products targeted at young children. For example, Crest children’s toothpaste by Procter & Gamble, fluoride products from Colgate, and items from Tom’s of Maine and Hello are designed with bright colors, unique flavors, and often feature cartoon characters, which can lead parents to mistakenly believe these products are entirely safe for children.
However, fluoride can be harmful to the human body if consumed in excessive amounts, particularly for young children. It can lead to developmental issues and, in extreme cases, even result in death.
The class action lawsuit cites warnings from U.S. health regulators stating that children under two should not use fluoride toothpaste, and children under six should not use fluoride mouthwash. Additionally, toothpaste should be kept out of reach of children under six.
Michael Connett, a partner at the law firm Siri & Glimstad representing the parents, stated in an interview: “These lawsuits target companies that mislead consumers into believing these products are harmless to young children.” As of publication, Procter & Gamble, Colgate, Dr. Fresh, and Sanofi had not responded to requests for comment.
The report also notes that the relationship between fluoride and human health has long been debated. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services by President-elect Donald Trump, has questioned the safety of using fluoride in public water systems. Additionally, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggested that the more fluoride children are exposed to, the lower their IQ.
In China, according to an educational article previously published by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), adding fluoride to toothpaste can help prevent cavities. Furthermore, the NMPA’s Management Regulations on Filing Materials for Toothpaste, issued in November 2023, defines children’s toothpaste as products suitable for those aged 12 and under. Fluoride-containing children’s toothpaste must indicate single-use limits. Safety warnings for fluoride-containing non-children’s toothpaste must state that the product is not suitable for children.
Moreover, the accompanying Requirements for Microbiological and Physicochemical Testing Projects for Toothpaste Filing specifies that the total fluoride content in children’s toothpaste should range between 0.05% and 0.11%.
