Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste Made with Bacteria-Infested Water, FDA Says

Mar. 15, 2025

(from left:) Tom’s of Maine’s Wicked Cool! Anticavity Toothpaste; (right) Tom’s of Maine’s Simply White Clean Mint Paste.Photo:Tom’s of Maine

Tom’s of Maine

Toothpaste from the popular Tom’s of Maine brand is made with bacteria-tainted water, theU.S. Food and Drug Administrationsays in a recent warning letter they sent to the company and made public.The letter, which outlines “significant violations” discovered at the Sanford, Maine, facility, warns the company, “You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of any violations and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations.“Among theFDA’s findings: Water samples used to manufacture Tom’s Simply White Clean Mint Paste containedPseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in the blood or lungs, according to theU.S. Centers for Disease Control.Stock image of Tom’s of Maine products for sale.AlamyParacoccus yeei — which theNational Library of Medicinecalls an “Emergent opportunistic pathogen” — was found in samples of Wicked Cool! Anticavity Toothpaste.The FDA also said ralstonia insidiosa — which can cause pneumonia, theNational Library of Medicinesays — was “recovered from water points of use.”According to the FDA, the condition of the equipment in the plant, which was inspected from May 7 to 22, didn’t meet their standards.“Our investigator observed a blackmold-likesubstance,” on equipment, the letter said, pointing out that the substance was found elsewhere.“The black substance was within one foot of stainless-steel pails and other product-contact equipment,” the letter states, saying it was noted on the wall behind a water tank.Tom’s of Maine logo at the Sanford, Maine, manufacturing plant.Joe Raedle/GettyIn a statement to PEOPLE, a representative for Tom’s of Maine said “We are confident there are no safety issues with our toothpaste and that it is safe to use. We test every batch of toothpaste we make — including for harmful bacteria and mold — to ensure its safety before it is released for sale.““We have been working with the FDA to remedy the issues raised in their May inspection of the Tom’s toothpaste manufacturing plant in Sanford, Maine, including implementing additional safeguards and making capital investments as part of ongoing plant upgrades. Tom’s is committed to continuing to make safe and effective natural products for our consumers and to maintaining the trust in our brand.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Toothpaste from the popular Tom’s of Maine brand is made with bacteria-tainted water, theU.S. Food and Drug Administrationsays in a recent warning letter they sent to the company and made public.

The letter, which outlines “significant violations” discovered at the Sanford, Maine, facility, warns the company, “You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of any violations and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations.”

Among theFDA’s findings: Water samples used to manufacture Tom’s Simply White Clean Mint Paste containedPseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in the blood or lungs, according to theU.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Stock image of Tom’s of Maine products for sale.Alamy

Alamy

Paracoccus yeei — which theNational Library of Medicinecalls an “Emergent opportunistic pathogen” — was found in samples of Wicked Cool! Anticavity Toothpaste.

The FDA also said ralstonia insidiosa — which can cause pneumonia, theNational Library of Medicinesays — was “recovered from water points of use.”

According to the FDA, the condition of the equipment in the plant, which was inspected from May 7 to 22, didn’t meet their standards.

“Our investigator observed a blackmold-likesubstance,” on equipment, the letter said, pointing out that the substance was found elsewhere.

“The black substance was within one foot of stainless-steel pails and other product-contact equipment,” the letter states, saying it was noted on the wall behind a water tank.

Tom’s of Maine logo at the Sanford, Maine, manufacturing plant.Joe Raedle/Getty

Joe Raedle/Getty

In a statement to PEOPLE, a representative for Tom’s of Maine said “We are confident there are no safety issues with our toothpaste and that it is safe to use. We test every batch of toothpaste we make — including for harmful bacteria and mold — to ensure its safety before it is released for sale.”

“We have been working with the FDA to remedy the issues raised in their May inspection of the Tom’s toothpaste manufacturing plant in Sanford, Maine, including implementing additional safeguards and making capital investments as part of ongoing plant upgrades. Tom’s is committed to continuing to make safe and effective natural products for our consumers and to maintaining the trust in our brand.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

source: people.com