08.17.16
The Cornucopia Institute, an organic industry nonprofit watchdog group, is taking on oral care prducts. A new report from the group contends that popular toothpastes, even many marketed as "natural" and sold at premium prices, contain harmful ingredients including endocrine disruptors, inflammatory agents and carcinogens.
In its Behind the Dazzling Smile: Toxic Ingredients in Your Toothpaste report, The Cornucopia Institute describes how “US regulatory weaknesses and loopholes allow questionable, even harmful ingredients in personal care products such as toothpastes, and how even ‘natural’ toothpastes often contain nonessential ingredients that may be toxic.”
"The cosmetics industry is no different, and may be worse, than leading food companies when it comes to gimmicky ingredients and misleading health claims," asserted the report's lead author Jerome Rigot, PhD, a policy analyst at The Cornucopia Institute. "However, we have created a useful web-based tool to help discriminating consumers see through marketing hype and make the best decision for their family when buying toothpaste."
The new report has an accompanying toothpaste brand scorecard in which the group flags ingredients to be avoided such as synthetic preservatives like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate, which may contain a toxic, cancer-causing contaminant, and artificial flavors and colors tied to behavioral problems in children.
While the groups cites leaders Crest and Colgate, it also asserts that many natural toothpaste brands like Tom's of Maine, Jason, Desert Essence, and Kiss My Face, contain carrageenan, a thickening and emulsifying agent extracted from seaweed, that it deems concerning.
"Peer-reviewed published research has established that food-grade carrageenan has the potential to cause intestinal inflammation, diabetes and even cancer," said Linley Dixon, PhD, scientist at The Cornucopia Institute.
Cornucopia, based in Cornucopia, WI, says itdelivered the report to Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), who have introduced new legislation that would require the Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the safety of ingredients in personal care items such as toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo.
In its Behind the Dazzling Smile: Toxic Ingredients in Your Toothpaste report, The Cornucopia Institute describes how “US regulatory weaknesses and loopholes allow questionable, even harmful ingredients in personal care products such as toothpastes, and how even ‘natural’ toothpastes often contain nonessential ingredients that may be toxic.”
"The cosmetics industry is no different, and may be worse, than leading food companies when it comes to gimmicky ingredients and misleading health claims," asserted the report's lead author Jerome Rigot, PhD, a policy analyst at The Cornucopia Institute. "However, we have created a useful web-based tool to help discriminating consumers see through marketing hype and make the best decision for their family when buying toothpaste."
The new report has an accompanying toothpaste brand scorecard in which the group flags ingredients to be avoided such as synthetic preservatives like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate, which may contain a toxic, cancer-causing contaminant, and artificial flavors and colors tied to behavioral problems in children.
While the groups cites leaders Crest and Colgate, it also asserts that many natural toothpaste brands like Tom's of Maine, Jason, Desert Essence, and Kiss My Face, contain carrageenan, a thickening and emulsifying agent extracted from seaweed, that it deems concerning.
"Peer-reviewed published research has established that food-grade carrageenan has the potential to cause intestinal inflammation, diabetes and even cancer," said Linley Dixon, PhD, scientist at The Cornucopia Institute.
Cornucopia, based in Cornucopia, WI, says itdelivered the report to Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), who have introduced new legislation that would require the Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the safety of ingredients in personal care items such as toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo.