Popular Kids’ Toothpaste Brands Among 4.3 Million Tubes Recalled

If your child brushes with Barbie, Hot Wheels, My Little Pony, or Crayola-branded toothpaste, stop and check the lot number before the next bedtime routine.

More than 4.3 million tubes of toothpaste are being recalled nationwide — with children’s products making up more than half of the total. The recall covers 17 products sold under the Brush Buddies, evo, and ARU brand names. India-based manufacturer Pritam International Private Limited initiated the voluntary recall on September 10, and the FDA classified it as a Class II recall on October 19.

No illnesses or injuries linked to the recalled toothpaste have been reported.

Which Products Are Affected

The children’s products in this recall are all sold under the Brush Buddies brand and include:

• Barbie Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste in bubble gum

• Hot Wheels Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste in strawberry

• My Little Pony Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste in bubble gum

• Crayola Silly Scents Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste in bubble gum, watermelon, and strawberry

Adult products are also included: certain lots of evo Sensitive Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, evo Advanced Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, ARU Toothpaste Gum Health, ARU Toothpaste Cavity Protection, and some Brush Buddies Cavity Protection and Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste varieties.

Expiration dates on affected lots run from late 2026 into 2028 — meaning some of these are products that would otherwise appear to have plenty of shelf life left.

Why the Recall Was Issued

The recall was triggered by deviations from current good manufacturing practices, according to the FDA. The agency has not publicly specified what those deviations were, but manufacturing practice violations can cover a wide range of issues — including problems with sterility testing, ingredient verification, contamination controls, labeling accuracy, or facility conditions.

The FDA’s Class II classification means exposure to the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,” but that serious harm is considered unlikely. This sits in the middle of the FDA’s three-tier recall system: Class I indicates a reasonable probability of serious harm or death; Class III applies when a product is unlikely to cause harm at all. Class II is the classification for products where health effects are possible but expected to be limited.

What to Do

Not every tube of these products is affected — only specific lot numbers are included in the recall. The full list of affected lots is available on the FDA’s website at fda.gov. Check the lot number printed on your tube before throwing anything away.

If your toothpaste is included in the recall, stop using it. Contact the company about a refund or disposal instructions. In the meantime, children should keep brushing with a toothpaste not covered by the recall — just make sure it’s one containing fluoride, which the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for children starting when the first tooth appears.

The recall is nationwide. Products were distributed across the U.S., so this isn’t a regional issue limited to certain stores or states.

How to Pick Safe Kids’ Toothpaste Going Forward

With a recall this size, it’s worth knowing what to look for when you’re replacing what you toss.

The most important thing: make sure it contains fluoride. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend fluoride toothpaste for children starting with the first tooth. For kids under 3, use a smear about the size of a grain of rice. For ages 3 to 6, a pea-sized amount is plenty. The fun flavors and character packaging are marketing — the fluoride is what actually protects teeth.

Beyond that, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the box. The American Dental Association only awards that seal to products that have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness. It’s not required, but when it’s there, it means the product passed independent review — not just manufacturer testing.

A few other things worth checking: avoid toothpastes with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) if your child is prone to mouth sores — SLS is a foaming agent that can irritate sensitive tissue. And for younger children especially, avoid whitening toothpastes, which typically aren’t formulated for kids and can be too abrasive for developing enamel.

Flavors like bubble gum, watermelon, and strawberry exist for a reason — kids brush better when they don’t hate the taste. That part is fine. Just make sure the tube behind the fun branding has the ingredients that matter. 

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