Colgate eliminates triclosan from its toothpastes

This is triclosan, a fungicide that has been questioned for possible links to cancer, effects on the thyroid and its role in antibiotic resistance.

With a launch party on January 31 and an upcoming Super Bowl spot, Colgate-Palmolive Co. is creating a stir for its new version of Colgate Total toothpaste. As part of the reformulation, the company has eliminated a controversial ingredient that has been defending for years. (You might be interested: Triclosan: the chemical substance present in soaps that worries scientists)

Colgate-Palmolive has already removed the substance -trinlosan- from its soaps, keeping it in toothpaste, saying that this use has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that helps prevent gingivitis. Health advocates have warned against that chemical and the FDA has said that the studies raise questions about the possible links between triclosan and cancer, its effects on the thyroid and the role it plays in making bacteria resistant. to antibiotics.

Colgate-Palmolive, which has developed the new version for 10 years, has not yet announced the elimination of the substance. His spokesman, Thomas DiPiazza, did not answer questions about whether the triclosan was eliminated due to regulatory controls or health problems.

Colgate-Palmolive anticipated the next reformulation at a conference in September. (Here: Invima studies banning antibacterials in Colombia)

"We will bring a completely new Colgate Total to the market," said Chief Executive Officer Ian M. Cook, according to a transcript from the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference. He said that the new product will treat the same things as before, such as plaque, cavities and enamel protection, but which adds benefits, such as "instant neutralization of odors to improve breath". He added that Total had 60 approved patents.

Historical turn

The Council for the Defense of Natural Resources (NRDC), which has put pressure on the FDA to regulate triclosan and a related chemical since 2010, said that the Colgate-Palmolive reformulation reflects the fact that consumers "do not want toxic chemicals. ".

Concerns about antibacterial resistance have meanwhile circulated since 2000, only three years after Colgate Total with triclosan got FDA approval. In 2010, the NRDC sued the FDA for the chemical, stating that the agency had proposed to regulate triclosan since 1978, but had never done so.

In 2011, Colgate eliminated triclosan from soaps, citing changing consumer preferences and higher formulas. But as for toothpaste, the company said that a rigorous FDA trial had approved it.

In 2016, the FDA stated that it would limit triclosan in antibacterial soaps to the consumer, and the next year it did so in healthcare facilities. He urged people to use ordinary soap and water, stating that antibacterial soaps have not been shown to be more effective in preventing disease and that their use has "raised doubts about their adverse health effects".

Colgate toothpastes, including Total, continue to be among the best-selling brands in a market with an approximate value of 3,000 million dollars in sales in 2017, according to the Mintel group. (We suggest: the most common disinfectant is toxic to aquatic ecosystems)

This could change, however. While sales have been flat for the Colgate and Crest brands, Mintel says, there has been a growth for specialized brands such as Tom & # 39; s of Maine, also owned by Colgate-Palmolive.