Colgate-Palmolive, Tom’s Defeat ‘Natural’ Product False-Ad Suit (2024)

Jan. 4, 2024, 3:15 PM UTC

By Julie Steinberg

Colgate-Palmolive Co. and its Tom’s of Maine Inc. unit shook off a false-ad class action by consumers who challenged labels touting dozens of toothpaste and deodorant products touting as “natural.”

The lead plaintiffs offered no support for their allegation that reasonable consumers understand Tom’s use of “natural” to mean its products don’t contain synthetic or highly chemically processed ingredients, a federal judge said.

They offered consumer surveys, government guidance, and other proof purporting to establish a reasonable consumer’s understanding of “natural” that supported their theory, but it was rejected Wednesday by Judge Kimba M. Wood of the US District Court ...

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Colgate-Palmolive, Tom’s Defeat ‘Natural’ Product False-Ad Suit (2024)

FAQs

What is the lawsuit against Tom's toothpaste? ›

Purchasers of Tom's of Maine deodorant and toothpaste (“Tom's Products”) have sued Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Tom's of Maine, Inc. (collectively “Defendants”), alleging that they misrepresented that the deodorant and toothpaste products are “Natural” when, in fact, they contain ingredients that are not natural.

What is the lawsuit against Colgate-Palmolive? ›

Colgate-Palmolive faces lawsuit over 'misleading' recyclable toothpaste tube claims. A judge denied the CPG company's request to throw out a lawsuit that consumers filed a year and a half after Colgate introduced a monomaterial HDPE tube that's been hotly debated.

What is the Colgate-Palmolive environmental scandal? ›

Several California residents brought a greenwashing suit against Colgate, alleging recyclability claims on the company's toothpaste packaging are false and misleading.

What is the Tom's of Maine deodorant lawsuit? ›

What does the lawsuit complain about? Plaintiffs allege that the Defendants misrepresented Tom's of Maine deodorant and toothpaste products by labeling them as “natural” when they allegedly contain non-natural ingredients. You can read Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint at www.lawsuit-toms.com/documents.

Do dentists recommend Tom's toothpaste? ›

If you're into natural ingredients, Tom's of Maine toothpaste is a staple. Their Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste contains natural ingredients but doesn't eliminate the one ingredient that is extremely effective- fluoride. It fights cavities and isn't loaded with ingredients that you can't pronounce.

What are the bad ingredients in Tom's toothpaste? ›

Tom's of Maine, owned by Colgate-Palmolive, is marked down for containing “artificial surfactants, detergentsm [or] foaming agents” and for using a seaweed-derived chemical called carrageenan, which some scientists say could induce inflammations.

What are the issues with Colgate-Palmolive? ›

Our research highlights several ethical issues with Colgate-Palmolive, including its approach to palm oil, supply chain management, climate change, excessive pay, tax, human rights, and animal testing. It scored our worst rating across all of these categories. Below we outline some of these issues.

Why is Colgate toothpaste being recalled? ›

Voluntary Recall of Certain Colgate Products Sold at Family Dollar Stores Because They Were Stored Outside of Temperature Requirements | FDA.

Is Colgate-Palmolive an ethical company? ›

Manufactured by the Colgate-Palmolive Company, Colgate is a well-known oral hygiene brand. Within The Good Shopping Guide's Ethical Toothpaste Sector, Colgate receives a below-benchmark score. Due to its low score, Colgate does not meet our minimum benchmark and cannot yet be classed as an ethical toothpaste brand.

Which country banned Colgate? ›

It is banned in Japan because it contains Triclosan.

What is the Colgate controversy? ›

Feb 6 (Reuters) - Colgate-Palmolive (CL. N) , opens new tab must face a lawsuit alleging it misleads consumers by claiming its plastic toothpaste tubes are recyclable even though most U.S. recycling facilities do not accept them, a U.S. judge ruled Tuesday.

Is Colgate-Palmolive a good company? ›

Colgate-Palmolive Reviews FAQs

Is Colgate-Palmolive a good company to work for? Colgate-Palmolive has an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5, based on over 3,974 reviews left anonymously by employees. 86% of employees would recommend working at Colgate-Palmolive to a friend and 79% have a positive outlook for the business.

Does Colgate own Tom's of Maine? ›

Tom's of Maine has been a majority-owned subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive since 2006. The company's products are sourced and derived from nature, with formulas that are free of artificial flavors, fragrances, colors, sweeteners, and preservatives.

What is the Tom's toothpaste lawsuit? ›

Colgate-Palmolive Co. and its Tom's of Maine Inc. unit shook off a false-ad class action by consumers who challenged labels touting dozens of toothpaste and deodorant products touting as “natural.”

What deodorant is getting sued? ›

Spray-On Deodorant Lawsuits

The discovery of high benzene levels in Old Spice, Secret, and other major brands of spray-on deodorant and body spray will eventually lead to a wave of product liability lawsuits. There is overwhelming scientific evidence linking benzene exposure to leukemia.

Does Tom's toothpaste contain titanium dioxide? ›

Ingredients : Active Ingredient Purpose Sodium Fluoride 0.24% (0.15% W/v Fluoride Ion) Anticavity Inactive Ingredients Hydrated Silica, Water, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Xylitol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Carrageenan.

Is Tom's whitening toothpaste safe? ›

Luminous White® anticavity toothpaste uses a clinically proven natural whitening technology to remove surface stains that is also safe on enamel and safe for everyday use.

What is the Tom's of Maine controversy? ›

They alleged that Tom's designation of its products as “natural” on those labels is false and misleading because the products contain synthetic and/or “highly chemically processed ingredients,” such as aluminum chloralhydrate, glycerin, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulphate, sorbitol and xylitol.

Why does Tom's toothpaste have carrageenan? ›

Carrageenan is an abundant, natural material which is very useful in thickening our toothpaste.

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