Tom's of Maine non-animal test shows original toothpaste formula effectiveness, FDA says.
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
TOM'S OF MAINE DENTIFRICE FORMULATIONS MUST BE INDIVIDUALLY TESTED for effectiveness, FDA told the Kennebunk, Maine-based company in a recent letter. Tom's had asked the agency in a Feb. 16 citizen petition to accept data from an intra-oral remineralization test in humans using the original Tom's Natural Toothpaste formula to show bioavailability of the fluoride ion in all of its fluoride toothpastes ("The Tan Sheet" March 4, p. 5). The company's corporate philosophy of not testing its products in animals conflicts with the OTC anticaries final monograph requirement that bioavailability be demonstrated through animal testing. Tom's is proceeding with testing its other toothpaste formulas.