### Bacteria Detected in Tom's of Maine Toothpaste, FDA Warns

Federal inspectors from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have uncovered concerning findings at a Tom's of Maine manufacturing facility. The FDA issued a warning letter after detecting microorganisms in water samples and finished toothpaste products. This follows an extensive inspection of the Sanford, Maine facility carried out between May 7 and May 22 of this year.

The FDA's letter, dated November 5, was addressed to Colgate-Palmolive, the parent company of Tom's of Maine. The letter detailed "significant violations," including the discovery of a "black mold-like substance" within the production area and bacteria in the water used to produce their toothpaste. Among the bacteria found were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ralstonia insidiosa, and Paracoccus yeei. These contaminants were discovered in products such as Tom's Simply White Clean Mint Paste and Wicked Cool! Anticavity Toothpaste, marketed toward children.

Donald W. Schaffner, a food science professor at Rutgers University, noted in an email that while the bacteria may pose a risk of illness, particularly to immunocompromised individuals, discarding the toothpaste may be a sensible precaution for concerned consumers.

According to the letter, the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, found in multiple water samples dating from June 2021 to October 2022, can cause severe infections of the blood, lungs, and other bodily areas post-surgery. Additionally, an FDA investigator reported that the discovered "black mold-like substance" was located in dangerously close proximity to equipment used for producing the toothpaste.

In response, the FDA has requested Colgate-Palmolive undertake a "comprehensive assessment" of their manufacturing operations, including a review of all microbiological hazards and an evaluation of their cleaning effectiveness to mitigate cross-contamination. The company is required to respond within 15 days specifying the corrective actions to prevent future violations.

Colgate-Palmolive has not yet provided a public response regarding the findings.