The Consumers' Foundation conducted spot testing on 30 types of toothpaste sold on the market, and 40 percent of the products contained preservatives, including toothpastes used by young children such as "Ku-Ku Duck Children's Toothpaste (Mixed Fruit)" and "Shuai Le Shinkansen Xylitol Children's Toothpaste," which tested positive for benzoic acid that may cause hyperactivity in children. In addition, "Darlie Extra Fluoride Multi-Effect Care Toothpaste" exceeded the limit for salicylic acid, and "Yunnan Baiyao Mint Toothpaste" was found to contain three types of preservatives, with a total content of 0.6321%. (For the complete list of the 30 products, please see the end of the article)

In addition, a total of four toothpastes had advertising claims inconsistent with their actual contents, including "Colgate Total Professional Whitening," "Colgate Total Professional Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste," "Dentist's Choice Nighttime Toothpaste," and "Japan Lion Stain Removal Toothpaste." The advertised effects could not be matched to the ingredients, suggesting exaggeration.

In March of this year, the Consumers' Foundation collected a total of 30 toothpaste products from drugstore and pharmacy channels in Taipei, including Watsons, Tomod's, S-Mei-Jih, and Sheng Lin Pharmacy, and conducted testing on items such as product labeling, preservative content, and comparison of claims with ingredients. The findings were as follows:

1. Preservatives: 40 percent failed

This test examined four types of preservatives in toothpaste, namely acid-type preservatives and ester-type preservatives: benzoic acid, salicylic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and methyl p-hydroxybenzoate

(1) Benzoic acid (permissible value 0.2%): 4 products tested positive for benzoic acid, none exceeded the limit.

Benzoic acid can be used as a preservative in food and cosmetics. It is strongly toxic to microorganisms such as bacteria and mold, and in humans it may cause mild irritation or lead to hyperactivity in children.

The products that tested positive for benzoic acid this time were No. 13 "Yunnan Baiyao Mint Toothpaste," No. 14 "Shuai Le Shinkansen Xylitol Children's Toothpaste," No. 18 "Dentist's Choice Nighttime Toothpaste," and No. 19 "Ku-Ku Duck Children's Toothpaste (Mixed Fruit)."

(2) Salicylic acid (permissible value 0.2%): 5 products tested positive for salicylic acid, of which two exceeded the permissible value.

Salicylic acid, also known as o-hydroxybenzoic acid, can be used as a preservative in cosmetics and dissolves skin keratin. It has an inhibitory effect on bacteria, and in humans it may cause irritation, contact dermatitis, or allergies.

The products that tested positive for salicylic acid but did not exceed the limit were No. 1 "Colgate Total Charcoal Deep Clean Gel," No. 20 "Lion Fine Bristle Special Polish Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste," and No. 26 "Nice Blue Light Speed Whitening Toothpaste."

The products that tested positive for salicylic acid and exceeded the permissible value were No. 9 "Darlie Extra Fluoride Multi-Effect Care Toothpaste" and No. 13 "Yunnan Baiyao Mint Toothpaste," the latter exceeding the limit by as much as 1 time.

(3) p-Hydroxybenzoic acid and methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (total permissible value 1.0%): 7 products tested positive, none exceeded the permissible value.

4-Hydroxybenzoic acid can be used as a preservative in food and cosmetics, and may cause irritation and allergic reactions in humans; in addition, it may have estrogenic effects, promoting the growth of breast cancer cells, and is a type of environmental hormone.

The products that tested positive for 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were No. 11 "Dynarex Extra Fluoride Anti-Cavity + Repair Toothpaste," No. 12 "Dynarex Children's Toothpaste (Strawberry Flavor)," and No. 21 "Japan Lion Stain Removal Toothpaste."

Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate can be used as a preservative in food and cosmetics, and may cause irritation and allergic reactions in humans, but it is generally considered relatively safe.

The products that tested positive for p-hydroxybenzoic acid and methyl p-hydroxybenzoate were No. 13 "Yunnan Baiyao Mint Toothpaste," No. 15 "Bao Yi Kang Whitening Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste," No. 18 "Dentist's Choice Nighttime Toothpaste," No. 20 "Lion Fine Bristle Special Polish Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste," and No. 21 "Japan Lion Stain Removal Toothpaste."

No. 13 "Yunnan Baiyao Mint Toothpaste" was the product with the highest total preservative content: three types of preservatives were detected, with a total content of 0.6321%.

2. Whether the claimed effects of the products correspond to their ingredients: 4 products failed

This investigation sampled 14 of the 30 samples and used the INCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) ingredient list as the standard to compare the products' claimed effects with the full ingredient list on the outer packaging (Appendix Table 2). According to the advertising effects of the toothpaste products, they can be divided into four categories: "abrasive cleaning, mineralization and strengthening, sensitivity relief, and whitening and stain removal."

The most important function of toothpaste is to assist the toothbrush in the mechanical cleaning of tooth surfaces, that is, to scrape off dental plaque through the function of abrasive cleaning, thereby reducing the occurrence of dental disease. Therefore, the basic ingredients must at least include abrasives and surfactants.

The comparison found that for four products' claimed effects, no corresponding ingredients could be found in the labeling on the toothpaste tube. These were No. 2 "Colgate Total Professional Whitening," No. 3 "Colgate Total Professional Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste," No. 18 "Dentist's Choice Nighttime Toothpaste," and No. 21 "Japan Lion Stain Removal Toothpaste."

(1) No. 2 "Colgate Total Professional Whitening Toothpaste"

Product outer box advertising copy: "Professional whitening, removes surface tooth stains, effectively whitens teeth. With daily use, teeth are stronger and whiter. Helps relieve sensitive, aching teeth."

Therefore, this product should have the four major effects of "abrasive cleaning, mineralization and strengthening, sensitivity relief, and whitening and stain removal," but after comparing with the ingredient list, it lacked the corresponding ingredients for sensitivity relief and whitening and stain removal.

(2) No. 3 "Colgate Total Professional Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste"

Product outer box advertising copy: "Professional sensitivity relief, helps relieve sensitive, aching teeth. Comprehensive upgrade of oral protection, clinically proven unique formula forms an antibacterial protective film, provides complete oral antibacterial protection for 12 hours, reduces the incidence of oral problems."

Therefore, this product should have the three effects of "abrasive cleaning, mineralization and strengthening, and sensitivity relief." The manufacturer disclosed on its website that its sensitivity relief expert series products all contain the patented formula arginine and the insoluble calcium compound calcium carbonate, but after comparing with the ingredient list, no corresponding ingredients for sensitivity relief could be found.

(3) No. 18 "Dentist's Choice Nighttime Toothpaste"

Product outer box advertising copy: "Suitable for cleaning and care of any dental problem; perfectly protects oral health, extremely suitable for dental implants, orthodontics, periodontal disease, and sensitive teeth for protecting teeth and gum health. Combined with correct brushing habits, it can reduce bad breath, cavities, and periodontal disease."

Therefore, this product should have the three effects of "abrasive cleaning, mineralization and strengthening, and sensitivity relief," but after comparing with the ingredient list, it lacked the corresponding ingredients for mineralization and strengthening and sensitivity relief.

(4) No. 21 "Japan Lion Stain Removal Toothpaste"

Product outer box advertising copy: "Combined with correct brushing habits, it can strongly remove stubborn tooth stains and tooth discoloration caused by smoking, coffee, and tea, making teeth white and bright."

Therefore, this product should have the two effects of "abrasive cleaning and whitening and stain removal," but after comparing with the ingredient list, it lacked the corresponding ingredients for whitening and stain removal.

The Consumers' Foundation stated that under current regulations, the management of toothpaste is divided into two major categories: medicated toothpaste and non-medicated toothpaste. Toothpaste with a fluoride content of 1500 ppm or more, as well as whitening toothpaste containing toxic or potent ingredients, is "medicated toothpaste," managed by the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The vast majority of toothpastes are general commodities, managed by the Department of Commerce of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Apart from having different competent authorities, the biggest difference between cosmetics and general commodities is that cosmetics must list all ingredients on the outer packaging, while general commodities need only list the main ingredients on the outer packaging, making it easy for the public to overlook the hidden risks among the ingredients.

According to the definition in the United States' Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a cosmetic is "an article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance," with no distinction between internal or external application to the human body.

The definition of cosmetics stipulated by the EU Cosmetics Directive is "any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance" and other related uses.

The Consumers' Foundation believes that classifying toothpaste applied to the human body together with general cleaning products under the scope of the Commodity Labeling Act and applying the same set of standards is clearly out of step with international regulations and quite inappropriate. Toothpaste should be included within the scope of cosmetics and uniformly managed by the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Appendix: 30 sampled products: (1) Colgate Total Charcoal Deep Clean Gel, (2) Colgate Total Professional Whitening, (3) Colgate Total Professional Sensitivity Relief, (4) Sensodyne Extreme Cool Formula, (5) Sensodyne True White Whitening Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste Fresh Mint, (6) Sensodyne Enamel Strengthening Toothpaste (For School-Age Children), (7) Parodontax Gum Care Toothpaste, (8) Darlie All Shiny White Multi-Effect Care Toothpaste, (9) Darlie Extra Fluoride Multi-Effect Care Toothpaste, (10) Darlie Professional Gum Care Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste,

(11) Dynarex Extra Fluoride Anti-Cavity + Repair Toothpaste, (12) Dynarex Children's Toothpaste (Strawberry Flavor), (13) Yunnan Baiyao Mint Toothpaste, (14) Shuai Le Shinkansen Xylitol Children's Toothpaste, (15) Bao Yi Kang Whitening Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste, (16) Ora2 Extreme Whitening Toothpaste - Extreme Mint, (17) Ora2 Flawless Whitening Toothpaste - Mint, (18) Dentist's Choice Nighttime Toothpaste, (19) Ku-Ku Duck Children's Toothpaste (Mixed Fruit), (20) Lion Fine Bristle Special Polish Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste,

(21) Japan Lion Stain Removal Toothpaste, (22) Sanshida Medicated Salt Toothpaste, (23) Kao Clear Clean Toothpaste (Mint), (24) Pigeon Poli Children's Toothpaste (Gum Flavor), (25) Yaxueshu Oral Health Care Product, (26) Nice Blue Light Speed Whitening Toothpaste, (27) 2080 Whitening Toothpaste, (28) Median ~86% Strong Whitening and Stain Removal Toothpaste (Red - Green Tea), (29) LG ~ Pigeon 7-Effect Toothpaste (Blue General), (30) ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste - Enamel Strengthening Formula.