Sensodyne, Biotene Toothpaste Recall Issued After Wood Fragments Found

Almost four million tubes of Sensodyne and Biotene toothpaste have been recalled due to a risk that they may be contaminated with wood fragments, posing a laceration and splinter hazard to users. 

The Sensodyne and Biotene toothpaste recall was announced by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare on July 15, after consumers reported that they found wood fragments inside the tubes. To date, no injuries have been reported.

The recall includes an estimated 135 lots of certain Sensodyne Repair & Protect Toothpaste, Sensodyne Repair & Protect Extra Fresh Toothpaste, Sensodyne Complete Toothpaste, Sensodyne Complete Extra Fresh Toothpaste, Biotene PBF Toothpaste, Biotene Gentle Mint Gel, Biotene Gentle Mint Toothpaste, and Biotene Fresh Mint Original Toothpaste. For a full list of recalled NDC and lot numbers please visit the company’s recall notice, linked above.

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In total, the recall includes almost four million tubes of the various brands of toothpaste. The toothpaste was manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) of Indianapolis, Indiana from 2013 through September 2014 and distributed for sale throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Taiwan from June 2013 to April 2015.

GSK has not explained how the wood fragments got into the toothpaste and reports that an investigation is still underway. After the company’s Consumer Relations division received several reports of the fragments in consumers toothpaste bottles, GSK decided to recall any and all potentially impacted lots.

Customers and retailers are being asked to examine their inventory and cease the distribution and use of all recalled lots of the product. GSK is asking retailers who receive their recall notice letter to gather a physical count of recalled toothpaste tubes and return them along with the Business Reply Card and the packaging slip included in the letter. Customers with questions may contact GSK Consumer Relations team at 1-800-922-5856 for Biotene toothpaste and 1-866-844-2797 for Sensodyne toothpaste.

2 Comments

  • MarciaApril 7, 2017 at 8:17 pm

    I've recently contacted Sensodyne because it came to my attention that 1 of my friends were experiencing similar medical issues for our esophagus. 2 years of both going through numerous medical testing with no conclusions. It wasn't until I realized in October that the 1 thing both of us did was brushed our teeth with Sensodyne. Both of us were tested for Berrits Esophagus and gerds in which they [Show More]I've recently contacted Sensodyne because it came to my attention that 1 of my friends were experiencing similar medical issues for our esophagus. 2 years of both going through numerous medical testing with no conclusions. It wasn't until I realized in October that the 1 thing both of us did was brushed our teeth with Sensodyne. Both of us were tested for Berrits Esophagus and gerds in which they did not find to be true. They could not conclude what was causing these problems. Once I contacted my friend and explained we both stopped using the toothpaste. Until this moment we didn't know the other similarities we both were experiencing. Both have developed sensitivities to antibiotics, both getting mouth sores, both experiencing burning in the mouth. We both used Sensodyne since 2008. Since we quit using the product we've tried to search for others and found many complaints with similar issues. Had I not been around someone else with the same medical issues I would have never realized my toothpaste was what was causing my esophagus issues. It's still healing but had improved greatly since October 2016. We would really like to speak with someone

  • JoelJune 8, 2016 at 9:45 pm

    This concerns GSK Consumer Products Division Sensodyne Iso-Active Toothpaste in metal canister which has exploded on 3 separate events spewing the contents outside of the container and onto the counter. GSK claims that the product is not defective and has offered (1) refund, (2) replacement of Sensodyne in tube, claiming product in canister is no longer manufactured or sold because of lack of dema[Show More]This concerns GSK Consumer Products Division Sensodyne Iso-Active Toothpaste in metal canister which has exploded on 3 separate events spewing the contents outside of the container and onto the counter. GSK claims that the product is not defective and has offered (1) refund, (2) replacement of Sensodyne in tube, claiming product in canister is no longer manufactured or sold because of lack of demand, and (3) return mailer for canister to investigate further. QUESTIONS: Should I return product to GSK or retain for possible class action suit? I have posted incident on FB and Twitter. I stress the fact that this has happened previously with three (3) separate GSK Sensodyne Iso-Active metal canisters. Two were purchased at Target, and simply returned to Target, but reported to Sensodyne, the third was purchased recently at Grocery Outlet in San Diego, and reported in the past 2 days to GSK Consumer Products Division. GSK has a record of deceit concerning defective product lawsuits. I am most concerned that GSK refuses to admit that the container or deliver mechanism within the container is defective, instead citing "lack of consumer demand" for withdrawing the product, or offered the very lame explanation of "improper storage", whereas the toothpaste canister was simply placed in the open on a vanity counter next to toothbrushes. It is more a matter of corporate deceit to me, than actual physical damages.

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