Briefs

Tom’s of Maine gets FDA warning after bacteria are found in facility

November 20, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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NATIONWIDE — DISEASE-CAUSING BACTERIA WAS FOUND IN SEVERAL PRODUCTS OF the personal care brand Tom’s of Maine, according to a letter that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration sent to the company this month. According to the FDA and NPR’s news website, the federal agency warned Tom’s of Maine of safety violations, after an FDA inspector identified several types of bacteria in the water supply at its facility in Sanford, including Paracoccus yeei; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can lead to blood, lung and urinary tract infections; and Ralstonia insidiosa, which can lead to sepsis. Moreover, the FDA reported that despite the results of microbial tests it conducted, Tom’s continued to distribute merchandise after neglecting to investigate the quality of water used in the process. The agency also says it found “a black mold-like substance” and “powder residues” on or near equipment, and said Tom’s failed to investigate hundreds of product complaints regarding odor, color and taste because they were not indicative of a trend. Although Tom’s attributed the individual problems to lab errors or hard-to-reach areas, the FDA refuted those explanations, instead asserting that Tom’s “risk-based” approach of handling complaints treats them as individual even though the FDA’s inspection revealed multiple health hazards. The FDA is now requiring Tom’s to submit a plan for assessing and remediating its testing methods and cleaning process, among other quality and safety protocols.

Tom & Kate Chappell founded Tom’s of Maine in 1970 as part of a move towards holistic living. Colgate-Palmolive bought the company in 2006, according to the latter company’s website.

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