Colgate must face lawsuit over mouthwash safety for kids, judge rules

A U.S. District Judge has allowed two class-action lawsuits against Colgate-Palmolive to proceed, accusing the company of misleading parents regarding the suitability of its fluoride mouthwashes for young children. Judge Andrea Wood distinguished between mouthwash and toothpaste, stating it’s less obvious to consumers whether mouthwash is appropriate for children and how much is safe to use, especially given packaging featuring terms like “kids” and flavors like “Bubble Fruit.” The judge was unconvinced by Colgate’s argument that consumers would check warning labels on the back of the bottles.

This ruling follows similar lawsuits against Procter & Gamble, Perrigo, and Sanofi concerning fluoride product packaging. Colgate previously agreed to redesign packaging for its toothpaste brands following an investigation by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The cases arise amidst ongoing debate about fluoride safety, with Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. claiming links to neurodevelopmental risks, while the American Dental Association maintains fluoride is safe at prescribed levels.

A recent HHS report indicated potential links between high fluoride levels and lower IQ in children, but another study warned that removing fluoride from water could increase tooth decay significantly. Despite these conflicting findings, some states have begun to ban or restrict fluoride, and Kennedy’s FDA has moved to limit fluoride supplements for children.

(Source：The Independent)