Tom's of Maine toothpaste contained bacteria-contaminated water, FDA says
An FDA inspection of a Tom’s of Maine manufacturing facility led to the discovery of “significant violations,” including bacteria in water used to make toothpaste and a black “mold-like” substance.
An FDA inspection of a Tom’s of Maine manufacturing facility led to the discovery of “significant violations,” including bacteria in water used to make toothpaste and a black “mold-like” substance.
The FDA sent a warning letter Nov. 5 to parent company Colgate-Palmolive, which was publicly released Tuesday, detailing how microorganisms were found in water samples and finished toothpaste products during a May inspection of a Sanford, Maine, facility.
Tom’s of Maine said in a statement Wednesday that it is working with the FDA and remedying issues raised from the May inspection.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa — which can cause infections in the blood and lungs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — was recovered in multiple water samples from June 2021 to October 2022. That water was used to manufacture Tom’s Simply White clean mint paste and for the final rinse of numerous equipment cleaning processes, the letter said.
The bacteria Ralstonia insidiosa was also recovered from water points of use.
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