Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste Sold In Illinois May Have Been Contaminated

Product Recalls - December 29, 2024

Black Mold-Like Substance Came Into Contact With Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste Products Prior to Warning Letter From The Food and Drug Administration

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (December 29, 2024) – A number of Illinois customers of Tom’s of Maine toothpaste have noticed a strange taste or smell with the product.

In fact, the company has received 400 complaints related to the smell, odor, and taste of their toothpaste. This includes products intended for children.

However, the complaints were not investigated. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter for “significant violations.” In particular, bacteria was found in some of the company’s products, and black mold was discovered at one facility.

The Tom’s of Maine facility in question is located in Sanford, Maine. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the bacteria identified. It can cause both blood and lung infections.

The bacteria was found in samples of water used to make Tom’s Simply White Clean Mint Paste. It was also used during the final rinse to clean equipment.

A full investigation into the safety of Tom’s of Maine toothpaste products remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Bacterial Contamination in Commercial Products

Foodborne illnesses are all too common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases each year in the United States.” There are a number of symptoms commonly associated with ingesting products with bacterial contamination.

• Victims may have gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea and vomiting.
• Victims may have fever, fatigue, and a headache.
• Victims may develop sepsis, which is a life-threatening response to an infection.

Companies that create toothpaste and other consumer products have a legal obligation to ensure that those products are reasonably safe. They must abide by all safety regulations by the Food and Drug Administration. This includes following the safety protocols necessary for the creation of products. To that end, the factory where products are made must be clean at all times. There are a number of mistakes that a toothpaste manufacturer could make that may lead to bacterial and mold contamination.

• A manufacturer may have failed to properly clean and sanitize production equipment.
• A manufacturer may have used raw materials that were already contaminated.
• A manufacturer may have used packing products that were not sterile.
• A manufacturer may have used insufficient amounts of preservatives designed to hinder bacterial growth.
• A manufacturer may have used a water source that was already contaminated with mold or bacteria.

When a company fails to take reasonable measures in order to prevent bacterial contamination, this could form the basis of a product liability claim. Sadly, though, companies will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility after someone becomes sick after using their product. This is why it is so important that victims of unsafe products seek legal support as early as possible. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Getting Legal Help After Using Contaminated Toothpaste

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people impacted by the contaminated Tom’s of Maine toothpaste. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents down the road. The claims of the Food and Drug Administration remain deeply concerning.

Have you or someone that you care about gotten sick after using Tom’s of Maine toothpaste? You may have legal recourse. Our team of product liability attorneys is here to help you. We care deeply that people are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.