Involved parties: Defendants are Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Tom's of Maine; plaintiffs include cases like Rabinowitz et al. v. Colgate-Palmolive (filed Dec. 19, 2025, E.D.N.Y.), Denny v. Colgate-Palmolive (M.D. Fla.), Pitre (N.D. Cal.), Foreman (S.D. Cal.), and Zetterstrom (S.D.N.Y.); U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cited violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practices.[1][2]
Context and timeline: A May 2024 FDA inspection revealed non-compliant conditions, including bacterial contamination in water used for toothpaste and equipment; lawsuits followed, culminating in the 2025-2026 settlement covering U.S. purchases of Tom's toothpaste from November 21, 2020, to March 6, 2026. Claimants with proof get refunds for up to three products; others get one item's average price per household; deadline is July 6, 2026, with final hearing September 10.[1][2]
Newsworthy now: Notice campaign launched around April 6-8, 2026, publicizing eligibility and claims via ToothpasteSettlement.com, prompting widespread consumer alerts as the filing window opens amid recent court approvals.[1][2]