Check the bathroom cabinet: more than 4 million tubes of toothpaste sold nationwide are under recall, and most of them are children's products. The voluntary recall by Pritam International covers 17 fluoride toothpastes — Brush Buddies varieties themed for Barbie, Hot Wheels, Crayola Silly Scents and My Little Pony, four ice-cream flavors, and adult Brush Buddies, Evo and ARU whitening, sensitive, gum-health and cavity-protection tubes. The FDA classified the recall Class II on October 19 and told USA TODAY on October 22 it stems from deviations from current good manufacturing practice requirements — the rules meant to ensure a product is made safely and contains what its label claims.
Why it matters: Class II is not a panic level — it means temporary, reversible health effects are possible and serious harm is considered remote. But a recalled tube should not stay in a child's routine. If a tube at home matches the list, stop using it and check the FDA enforcement report for the recall numbers and expiration dates before replacing it.
