Colgate class action claims Hello Kids Fluoride Rinse unsafe for young children

Colgate rinse class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Josh Cook filed a class action lawsuit against Colgate-Palmolive Co.
• Why: Cook alleges the company falsely advertises its Hello Kids Fluoride Rinse as safe for young children.
• Where: The Colgate class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois federal court.

A new class action lawsuit alleges Colgate-Palmolive Co. falsely advertises its Hello Kids Fluoride Rinse as safe for young children.

Plaintiff Josh Cook filed the class action complaint against Colgate on May 15 in Illinois federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.

According to the lawsuit, Colgate advertises its Hello Kids Fluoride Rinse as safe for young children despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considering it too dangerous for children under 6 years old.

Cook says Colgate misleadingly markets the product as “naturally friendly” and appealing to children with flavors like Wild Strawberry and Bubble Gum, without proper warnings about potential risks.

The lawsuit claims that fluoride is toxic if swallowed and that children under six lack the ability to control swallowing, leading to potential health risks, such as vomiting, intoxication and nausea.

Hello Kids product can also cause dental fluorosis, class action says

The lawsuit also alleges that swallowing the rinse can cause dental fluorosis, a defect in tooth enamel that results in visible and sometimes disfiguring staining. 

Cook argues that the FDA does not mandate warnings about this condition because children under six are not supposed to use fluoride rinses in the first place.

The lawsuit further claims that Colgate’s packaging fails to include the required warnings about the need to read directions for proper use.

Cook alleges the company’s labeling emphasizes the product’s appealing flavors and natural ingredients, misleading consumers into believing it is safe for young children.

Cook seeks to represent a class of consumers from multiple states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia, who purchased the rinses for their children under 6 years old.

The lawsuit asserts claims for violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

In related news, another class action lawsuit claims Tom’s of Maine, a Colgate-Palmolive company, sold toothpaste products made with bacteria-contaminated water.

What do you think of the claims in this Colgate class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Michael Connett, Aaron Siri, Elizabeth A. Brehm and Lisa Considine of Siri & Glimstad LLP.

The Colgate rinse class action lawsuit is Cook v. Colgate-Palmolive Co., Case No. 1:25-cv-05448, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

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