More than 4.3 million tubes of toothpaste, including children's products featuring popular characters such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Crayola and My Little Pony, have been recalled nationwide, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The voluntary recall affects 17 toothpaste varieties sold under the Brush Buddies, evo and ARU brands.
The FDA lists “current good manufacturing practice deviations” as the reason, but does not specify the exact manufacturing issues. The agency classified the recall as Class II on October 19.
Which Toothpaste Products Are Affected?
The recall includes children's toothpaste marketed under the Brush Buddies brand, including Barbie bubble gum, Hot Wheels strawberry, Crayola Silly Scents bubble gum, watermelon and strawberry, and My Little Pony bubble gum varieties.
Several ice cream-flavored toothpastes are also included, with flavors such as vanilla, mint chocolate chip, cookies 'n cream and chocolate.
The recall additionally affects certain evo Sensitive Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste and evo Advanced Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, as well as ARU Toothpaste Gum Health and ARU Toothpaste Cavity Protection.
The affected products come in 3.5- and 4-ounce tubes, as well as a two-pack containing two 3.5-ounce tubes.
Full List of Recalled Toothpaste Products
The recall affects specific lots of the following 17 toothpaste varieties. Not every tube of these products is affected. Consumers can check the FDA's recall notice for the affected lot numbers and expiration dates.
Brush Buddies
- Barbie Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Bubble Gum, 4 oz.
- Hot Wheels Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Strawberry, 4 oz.
- Crayola Silly Scents Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Bubble Gum, 4 oz.
- Crayola Silly Scents Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Watermelon, 4 oz.
- Crayola Silly Scents Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Strawberry, 4 oz.
- My Little Pony Scents Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Bubble Gum, 4 oz.
- Vanilla Ice Cream Flavored Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, 3.5 oz.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Flavored Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, 3.5 oz.
- Cookies 'n Cream Ice Cream Flavored Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, 3.5 oz.
- Chocolate Ice Cream Flavored Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, 3.5 oz.
- Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste with Baking Soda, Cool Mint, 3.5 oz.
- Cavity Protection Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Cool Mint, two-pack of 3.5 oz. tubes.
- Advanced Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Peppermint, 3.5 oz.
evo
- Advanced Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Peppermint, 3.5 oz.
- Sensitive Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Sweet Mint, 3.5 oz.
ARU
- Toothpaste Gum Health, Soothing Mint, 3.5 oz.
- Toothpaste Cavity Protection, Cool Mint, 3.5 oz.
Where Were the Recalled Products Sold?
Pritam International Private Limited initiated the recalls on September 10. The recalled toothpastes were distributed nationwide in the United States by Ashtel Studios Inc., according to the FDA.
Newsweek has reached out to Pritam.
What Is a Class II Recall?
A Class II recall is classified as one in which use of or exposure to a “violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,” according to the FDA. However, the risk of serious health problems from using the product is considered “remote.”
The classification describes the potential level of risk; it does not mean that every person who uses an affected product will experience adverse effects.
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What Was the Reason for the Recall?
The FDA cited deviations from current good manufacturing practice requirements as the reason for the recall but did not specify the nature of the deviations in its notice.
These requirements are intended to help ensure that products are consistently manufactured and meet applicable quality standards. The recall is listed as voluntary and firm-initiated, meaning the company initiated the recall rather than the FDA ordering it.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Edward T. Cummins