Over 4 million tubes of toothpaste recalled nationwide, many made for kids: how to check yours

If your bathroom has a tube of toothpaste with Barbie, Hot Wheels, Crayola or My Little Pony on the box, it’s worth a closer look. More than 4.3 million tubes of toothpaste, most of them sold under the Brush Buddies brand and many marketed for children, have been recalled because they weren’t made under federal quality standards.

Key Takeaways

• 4,301,700 tubes of toothpaste across 17 products have been recalled nationwide, sold under the Brush Buddies, evo and ARU brands.
• The toothpaste was made by Pritam International in India and distributed by Ashtel Studios in California. Some products were sold at Walmart and Dollar Tree.
• The reason is “CGMP deviations,” meaning the products weren’t made according to the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice rules. The FDA hasn’t said what specifically went wrong.
• The FDA classified it as a Class II recall, meaning the products could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems, but serious harm is unlikely.
• If you have one of the affected products, stop using it and check the lot number on the tube or box.

What’s been recalled

The recall was started on September 10, 2026, and the FDA classified it on October 19. Under federal rules, toothpaste containing fluoride is regulated as an over-the-counter drug, so it must be made under the FDA’s strict manufacturing standards. When those standards aren’t met, the FDA considers the product “adulterated,” even if nothing has been found wrong with the toothpaste itself.

The FDA’s report doesn’t describe the specific manufacturing problem or mention any reported illnesses.

Recalled kids’ toothpastes (Brush Buddies):

• Barbie Anticavity Fluoride, Bubble Gum, 4 oz. (409,800 tubes)
• Hot Wheels Anticavity Fluoride, Strawberry, 4 oz. (411,600 tubes)
• Crayola Silly Scents Anticavity Fluoride, Bubble Gum, Watermelon and Strawberry, 4 oz. (320,232 tubes each)
• My Little Pony Scents Anticavity Fluoride, Bubble Gum, 4 oz. (17,400 tubes)
• Ice Cream Flavored Anticavity Fluoride in Vanilla, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookies ‘n Cream and Chocolate, 3.5 oz. (112,092 tubes each)

Recalled adult toothpastes:

• Evo Advanced Whitening Anticavity Fluoride, Peppermint, 3.5 oz. (405,336 tubes)
• Evo Sensitive Anticavity Fluoride, Sweet Mint, 3.5 oz. (389,880 tubes)
• Brush Buddies Whitening Anticavity Fluoride with Baking Soda, Cool Mint, 3.5 oz. (797,868 tubes)
• Brush Buddies Cavity Protection Fluoride, Cool Mint, 2-pack, 3.5 oz. each (231,936 tubes)
• Brush Buddies Advanced Whitening Anticavity Fluoride, Peppermint, 3.5 oz. (198,288 tubes)
• ARU Gum Health Toothpaste, Soothing Mint, 3.5 oz. (15,264 tubes)
• ARU Cavity Protection Toothpaste, Cool Mint, 3.5 oz. (15,264 tubes)

Only specific lots are affected. Lot numbers begin with “LWP” and are printed on the tube or box. The full list of lot numbers and expiration dates is in the table at the end of this article.

Is it dangerous?

A Class II recall means the risk of serious health problems is considered remote. The FDA hasn’t reported any illnesses or identified a specific contaminant. Manufacturing standards exist to make sure products contain the right amount of active ingredient, such as fluoride, and are free of contamination. When a factory doesn’t follow them, there’s no guarantee a product meets those standards, which is why the FDA treats it as a recall.

What to do

• Check your toothpaste. Match the product name, UPC and lot number against the list below.
• Stop using recalled tubes, especially any your children use.
• Ask the store where you bought it about a refund or exchange.
• Call your doctor or dentist if you or your child used a recalled product and you have concerns or notice unusual symptoms such as mouth irritation or stomach upset.
• Report problems to the FDA’s MedWatch program.

A reminder about kids and fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride toothpaste is safe and important for preventing cavities, but kids only need a small amount. For children under 3, use a smear about the size of a grain of rice. For children 3 to 6, use a pea-sized amount. Supervise young children while they brush, teach them to spit rather than swallow, and store toothpaste out of reach, since flavors like bubble gum and ice cream can tempt kids to eat it.

This isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor or dentist if you have concerns.

Full list of recalled lots

Sources:

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Enforcement Report: Pritam International Private Limited toothpaste products, classified October 19, 2026.
• The Healthy: Over 4 million tubes of toothpaste recalled nationwide.
• NewsNation.