Why Should You Buy Toothpaste "Made In The U.S.A?"

In the news recently, there have been warningsbring onto the market for over the counter sale, the
about toothpaste manufactured in China that containslabel must be in compliance with FDA regulations. The
a poisonous ingredient that is usually found inproposed product label is sent to a lawyer that
automobile radiator coolant. Rather than focus on thespecializes in FDA regulations. They check to make
negative aspects of this news, and the poorsure that there are no false health claims on the label,
standards used in manufacturing and exportingand that each and every ingredient is on a list issued
maintained in other countries, it may be a really goodby the FDA as GRAS (generally regarded as safe).
time to reflect on the standards that the AmericanThis is a list of ingredients that include chemicals,
manufacturer maintains in the production of personalbotanical and inert ingredients that have been tested
care products that we have, until this time, taken forand have been cleared as being safe for consumers
granted.to use. The approved label is sent back to the
A consumer gives little thought when they pick upmanufacturing facility. Each product must have an
their toothpaste in the morning as to the safety ofapproved label on file in the manufacturing facility
the ingredients or packaging that goes into producingwhere it is manufactured. Aside from the labeling
that tube. We expect that there will be protectionsconsiderations, the FDA also inspects the
for us as consumers against shoddy manufacturingmanufacturing facilities. Among the things they
practices, but usually little is known about theinspect are the water systems. For example, if
process.purified water is used in products, there must be an
The first step a manufacturer goes through is theexact log on file of the tests that were done on the
state and local licensing of the laboratory or facilitywater when the manufacturing process on a
where the product is to be made. Facilities areparticular product begun, and again, at the end of
inspected to make sure that the building and areasthat product run. There must also be a log of
are clean and adequate for the process that isbatches or lots of each product and the date of the
proposed, and that all systems are sanitary. Theremanufacture. Each product must have a lot number
are OSHA (Occupational Safety & Healthand expiration date stamped or crimped onto the
Administration) safety standards with which theproduct. When a product such as toothpaste is
facility must comply, which include having safety datafinished, it is tested for quality and purity. It must
sheets on file for every chemical or ingredient used inthen remain in quarantine for several days, and then
every product manufactured or used for cleaning onretested for bacterial contamination before it is
the grounds of the facility.released from the manufacturing laboratory for
State and local laws including wages, insurance anddistribution.
safety standards cover employees. Lab workers areWhen a comparison is made between the high
required to wear disposable paper head covering atstandards that must be met by the American
all times, and in the formulating areas, protectivemanufacturer of toothpaste and a product made in a
clothing such as lab coats are worn. Workers in othercountry with little or no oversight on manufacturing,
countries often work in unsanitary and abysmalingredients or the facilities in which they are
working conditions and are paid a miserable wage.produced, it makes little sense NOT to buy
Then there are the labeling standards set forth bytoothpaste proudly "Made in the USA.
the FDA. When a new product is being developed to