Procter & Gamble Adjusts Crest Toothpaste Packaging in Response to Texas Attorney General’s Fluoride Issues

Procter & Gamble has initiated a significant update to its packaging and marketing for Crest children’s toothpaste, following an agreement with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. This move comes in response to concerns that excessive fluoride use could pose risks to children’s health.

Attorney General Paxton emphasized that Procter & Gamble will ensure that the packaging and marketing for Kid’s Crest “clearly depict the appropriate amount” of toothpaste recommended for children. This initiative aims to promote safer usage among young consumers.

The rollout of the new packaging began on January 1, and Procter & Gamble is required to maintain compliance with these guidelines for a period of five years. The company, headquartered in Cincinnati, expressed its commitment to providing safe and reliable products that enhance the oral health of its consumers. They stated that they are “voluntarily agreeing to ensure that our artwork reflects recommended dosing levels for children.”

In a similar vein, Colgate-Palmolive reached an agreement with Paxton in September regarding its Colgate, Tom’s of Maine, and hello toothpaste brands. This agreement mandates that the company depict “pea-sized” amounts of toothpaste on its labels, moving away from the previously common practice of showcasing larger swirls.

In October, a federal judge in Chicago dismissed Procter & Gamble’s attempt to dismiss a private lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed that the company violated state consumer protection laws by illustrating a full strip of toothpaste on Kid’s Crest labels, which featured a seal of approval from the American Dental Association.

Last May, Paxton issued civil investigative demands to both Procter & Gamble and Colgate, accusing the manufacturers of flavoring and marketing fluoride toothpaste in ways that could lead children to ingest unsafe amounts. This concern highlights the delicate balance between promoting dental health and ensuring safety for young users.

Paxton, a Republican, has aligned himself with the Make America Healthy Again movement, which is associated with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This movement opposes the addition of fluoride to public water systems, reflecting a growing debate around fluoride use.

Fluoride is known for its ability to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities, and the American Dental Association supports its use in both toothpaste and drinking water. However, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics last January linked higher fluoride exposures in children to lower IQ scores. This research has sparked controversy, with a University of Iowa dentistry professor criticizing the findings and cautioning against altering public policy based on them.

As Paxton runs for the U.S. Senate this year, aiming to unseat Republican incumbent John Cornyn, these developments in the toothpaste industry reflect broader discussions about health, safety, and consumer protection.

(Reporting by Stempel in New York; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Diane Craft)

Topics
Texas

Procter & Gamble has initiated a significant update to its packaging and marketing for Crest children’s toothpaste, following an agreement with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. This move comes in response to concerns that excessive fluoride use could pose risks to children’s health.

Attorney General Paxton emphasized that Procter & Gamble will ensure that the packaging and marketing for Kid’s Crest “clearly depict the appropriate amount” of toothpaste recommended for children. This initiative aims to promote safer usage among young consumers.

The rollout of the new packaging began on January 1, and Procter & Gamble is required to maintain compliance with these guidelines for a period of five years. The company, headquartered in Cincinnati, expressed its commitment to providing safe and reliable products that enhance the oral health of its consumers. They stated that they are “voluntarily agreeing to ensure that our artwork reflects recommended dosing levels for children.”

In a similar vein, Colgate-Palmolive reached an agreement with Paxton in September regarding its Colgate, Tom’s of Maine, and hello toothpaste brands. This agreement mandates that the company depict “pea-sized” amounts of toothpaste on its labels, moving away from the previously common practice of showcasing larger swirls.

In October, a federal judge in Chicago dismissed Procter & Gamble’s attempt to dismiss a private lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed that the company violated state consumer protection laws by illustrating a full strip of toothpaste on Kid’s Crest labels, which featured a seal of approval from the American Dental Association.

Last May, Paxton issued civil investigative demands to both Procter & Gamble and Colgate, accusing the manufacturers of flavoring and marketing fluoride toothpaste in ways that could lead children to ingest unsafe amounts. This concern highlights the delicate balance between promoting dental health and ensuring safety for young users.

Paxton, a Republican, has aligned himself with the Make America Healthy Again movement, which is associated with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This movement opposes the addition of fluoride to public water systems, reflecting a growing debate around fluoride use.

Fluoride is known for its ability to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities, and the American Dental Association supports its use in both toothpaste and drinking water. However, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics last January linked higher fluoride exposures in children to lower IQ scores. This research has sparked controversy, with a University of Iowa dentistry professor criticizing the findings and cautioning against altering public policy based on them.

As Paxton runs for the U.S. Senate this year, aiming to unseat Republican incumbent John Cornyn, these developments in the toothpaste industry reflect broader discussions about health, safety, and consumer protection.

(Reporting by Stempel in New York; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Diane Craft)

Topics
Texas