Is There Triclosan in Your Toothpaste?

Oh, triclosan. According to the FDA, it’s no more effective than soap and water at killing bacteria; studies have shown that it may compromise our immune systems, make us more susceptible to allergies, and affect our hormones. And research proves that antibacterials like triclosan breed antibiotic-resistant bacteria. But one personal care conglomerate is still putting this toxic stuff in your…toothpaste? 

Yes, you read that right. Despite the fact that triclosan is currently under safety review at the FDA and was banned in Minnesota this May, Colgate-Palmolive continues to add this toxic chemical to its bestselling Total toothpaste.

A great article on Bloomberg News examined the process by which triclosan-toting Total was approved as safe by the FDA—including suppression of studies that link exposure to the toxic chemical with fetal deformities in mice and rats.

GlaxoSmithKline has removed triclosan from Aquafresh and Sensodyne, and P&G’s toothpastes have been triclosan-free for years, the article found. Total is currently the only toothpaste containing triclosan that’s approved by the FDA.

Which makes it very easy to avoid.