Colgate-Palmolive Co. is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit in California federal court, accused of selling its children’s “hello” brand toothpaste with dangerously high levels of lead — all while marketing it as a safe, natural product for kids.
The complaint, filed Wednesday by parents Nathan Barton and Cynthia Fahrnkopf, alleges that Colgate’s “hello” toothpaste contains more than double the federal lead limit permitted in candy marketed to small children. The plaintiffs argue the company’s packaging — adorned with cheerful unicorns, mermaids, and dragons — conceals a toxic secret behind its playful imagery and promises of “natural flavors” and “no artificial dyes or sweeteners.”
Alleged Hidden Danger Behind a Bright Smile
According to the lawsuit, independent testing revealed that Colgate’s “hello” kids’ toothpastes contained between 236 and 658 parts per billion (ppb) of lead — far exceeding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 100 ppb limit for candy frequently consumed by children.
In stark contrast, the same tests reportedly showed that competitors’ toothpastes contained little to no detectable lead, suggesting that Colgate had the ability to produce safer products but failed to do so.
The plaintiffs emphasize that no level of lead is safe for children, citing long-term risks such as kidney damage, seizures, and neurological harm. Even more alarming, the lawsuit states that lead absorbed through the mouth can bypass the digestive system’s natural filtration, sending toxins directly into the bloodstream.
