Ban on popular toothpaste for causing adverse effects in Argentina and Brazil
Health authorities in Argentina have recently banned the use and sale of a toothpaste from the Colgate brand, specifically the Colgate Total Clean Mint with fluoride, after reports of adverse reactions in consumers in the country. The measure was announced by the National Administration of Drugs, Foods, and Medical Devices (ANMAT), the Argentine agency equivalent to the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS).
The product has been removed from the market after confirming several cases of people affected by symptoms such as burning, irritation, inflammation of the oral mucosa, canker sores, blisters, and discomfort in the tongue or gums. The responsible company, Colgate-Palmolive, has confirmed receiving reports in Argentina, where at least 19 cases were counted by mid-July, while the regulatory body added two more reports through its cosmetovigilance system.
The same formula, the same issue: the Brazilian precedent
The case has raised particular concern due to the precedents recorded in Brazil, a country that reported over 11,400 similar cases between July 2024 and June 2025. Brazilian authorities concluded that the origin of the issue could be related to a new flavoring ingredient included for the first time in this version of the product. According to reports, this component could be causing localized irritation in the oral mucosa of certain users.
Both countries share the same formula and production plant for this version of Colgate Total, so Argentina replicated Brazil’s decision to request the voluntary withdrawal of the product from all points of sale.
ANMAT has recommended that consumers who have used this toothpaste and experience discomfort or adverse symptoms contact their reporting system through the cosmetovigilance form or email. Although the measure does not directly affect Europe, Argentine authorities emphasize the importance of vigilance in everyday use products.
Is it an isolated case or a broader warning?
Although no alert has been issued by European agencies at the moment, the case raises questions about international sanitary controls on oral hygiene products. Colgate is a global brand and its products are widely distributed worldwide, so decisions in Latin American markets can influence other regions.
This episode highlights the importance of cosmetovigilance — monitoring adverse reactions to cosmetic and personal care products — as a key tool to ensure consumer safety. In Europe, these alerts are managed by the RAPEX network, which has not yet recorded incidents related to this variant of toothpaste.
However, it is recommended to pay attention to future communications from agencies such as the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices or the Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Consumer Products (Safety Gate).
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