Tom's of Maine toothpaste made with bacteria-filled water, FDA warns

SANFORD, Maine (WJW) — Water contaminated with dangerous bacteria was used to manufacture batches of Tom's of Maine toothpaste, a brand owned by Colgate-Palmolive, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA said in a Nov. 5 warning letter that inspectors found Pseudomonas aeruginosa — a bacteria that can cause blood and lung infections — in water used to produce the brand's Simply White Clean Mint Paste and to rinse cleaning equipment at its Sanford, Maine, plant.