#20 trending20K+ searchesToothpaste Recall

Toothpaste recall: 4.3 million tubes of Brush Buddies, Evo and ARU toothpaste recalled

By Trend Desk · · 3 min read

Illustration of plain pastel toothpaste tubes and a child's toothbrush on a bathroom counter
Illustration (AI-generated)

More than 4.3 million tubes of toothpaste have been recalled nationwide, and most of the products are aimed at kids. The recall covers 17 products sold under the Brush Buddies, Evo and ARU brands. It was posted in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s enforcement report this week. “Toothpaste recall” passed 20,000 US searches on Google Trends.

What’s being recalled and why

The recalling firm is India-based Pritam International Private Limited. The products are distributed by California-based Ashtel Studios, according to The Healthy. Key facts from the FDA report, as summarized by USA Today and The Healthy:

  • Total: 4,301,700 tubes across 17 products.
  • Recall started: Sept. 10 (voluntary).
  • Classified: Class II on Oct. 19.
  • Reason given: “CGMP deviations.”

CGMP means Current Good Manufacturing Practice, the FDA’s rules for how products are made and controlled. A product made outside those rules is considered “adulterated.” That doesn’t automatically mean anything is wrong with what’s in the tube, The Healthy explains. The FDA report doesn’t say what specific manufacturing problem was found, and the FDA didn’t immediately answer USA Today’s questions.

A Class II recall means use of the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,” or that the chance of serious harm is remote, per the FDA’s definition as quoted by USA Today.

Which toothpastes are affected

Brush Buddies (mostly kids’ products):

  • Barbie, Bubble Gum
  • Hot Wheels, Strawberry
  • Crayola Silly Scents: Bubble Gum, Watermelon and Strawberry
  • My Little Pony Scents, Bubble Gum
  • Ice cream flavors: Vanilla, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookies ‘n Cream and Chocolate
  • Whitening Anticavity with Baking Soda, Cool Mint
  • Cavity Protection, Cool Mint (2-pack)
  • Advanced Whitening Anticavity, Peppermint

Evo: Advanced Whitening Anticavity (Peppermint) and Sensitive Anticavity (Sweet Mint).

ARU: Gum Health (Soothing Mint) and Cavity Protection (Cool Mint).

The biggest single item is the Brush Buddies whitening toothpaste with baking soda, at about 798,000 tubes. Several of the kids’ character tubes, such as Barbie and Hot Wheels, account for roughly 410,000 each, The Healthy reported.

How to check your tube

Only specific lot numbers are recalled, not every tube of these brands. Look on the tube or box for the UPC and lot code (lots in this recall start with “LWP”). Then compare them with the list in the FDA enforcement report, or with The Healthy’s breakdown, which lists every UPC, lot and expiration date.

If yours matches, stop using it. Contact the place you bought it or the distributor about a return or refund. If you have health concerns, talk to a doctor or dentist.

Some of these brands are sold at retailers like Walmart and Dollar Tree. The FDA report doesn’t specify which stores carried the recalled lots, according to The Healthy.

FAQ

Is Brush Buddies toothpaste safe? Only certain lots are recalled. Check the UPC and lot number against the FDA list.

Has anyone gotten sick? None of the reports we reviewed mention illnesses, and the FDA hasn’t given a detailed reason beyond “CGMP deviations.”

Is this a new recall? It began Sept. 10. The FDA classified it Class II on Oct. 19, which is when it drew wide attention.

Sources