Amazon.com : Tom's of Maine Antiplaque and Whitening Toothpaste, Peppermint, 2Pk, 5.5 oz
Lower concern. Toothpaste is not a typical PFAS vector.
Tom's of Maine is known for natural formulations without synthetic Teflon-family coating or Teflon-type coating. Toothpaste presents minimal PFAS risk compared to nonstick cookware or treated textiles.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
toothpaste with mineral and plant-based ingredients
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Amazon.com : Tom's Peppermint, 2Pk, is made of, ingredients and materials
Tom's of Maine Antiplaque and Whitening uses mineral abrasives (silica), plant-derived surfactants, and essential oils rather than synthetic detergents or peroxide whitening agents. The formula excludes artificial flavors, colors, and fluoride (though fluoride itself is not a safety hazard in toothpaste). Peppermint flavoring is natural essential oil rather than synthetic fragrance, reducing allergen complexity. As a toothpaste, it is spit out after use, so systemic exposure to ingredients is minimal.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens (peppermint essential oil)
Essential oils, including peppermint, can trigger contact dermatitis or oral sensitivity in susceptible individuals. Documented allergy to mint is uncommon but established; risk is individual and not a blanket concern.
1,4-dioxane (impurity in surfactants)
Plant-derived surfactants and cleansing agents may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Tom's of Maine does not publicly disclose testing for this contaminant; levels, if present, are typically below regulatory action limits in rinse-off products.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No recalls or testing data on record indicate lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Tom's of Maine toothpaste. Silica and mineral abrasives are regulated food-contact substances in the US and subject to FDA monograph standards.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Tom's of Maine does not use known formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin) in its marketed formulas. No recalls or reports indicate formaldehyde contamination.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination
Toothpaste is not a talc-containing product category, and Tom's of Maine formulations do not include talc. This hazard is not applicable to this product.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Tom's of Maine is owned by Colgate-Palmolive and maintains transparent ingredient labeling on product packaging and websites. The brand holds Natural Products Association certification and makes no safety-related recalls on record for this product line. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS testing results or stance, but mineral-based toothpastes are not typical formulation vectors for intentional PFAS use. No established controversies regarding heavy metals, formaldehyde, or talc contamination have been reported for this product.
How it compares in its category
Conventional whitening toothpastes often contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide; this product uses abrasive whitening instead, which is gentler but less aggressive. Natural toothpastes in this price range typically avoid synthetic dyes and fragrance allergens, placing Tom's of Maine in the lower-concern segment. Some natural brands substitute fluoride entirely, whereas Tom's offers both fluoride and fluoride-free variants; the fluoride-free version (this product) trades cavity-prevention strength for sensitivity or preference. Compared to budget brands, disclosure and formulation transparency are stronger here.
If you buy it
Use as directed on the label; no special handling is required. Toothpaste is meant to be expectorated, not swallowed, so ingestion risk is not a primary concern for normal use. The peppermint essential oil may cause mouth irritation in individuals with sensitivity to mint or essential oils; discontinue if irritation occurs. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat; no shelf-life extension measures are needed beyond standard bathroom storage.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tom's of Maine has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Amazon.com : Tom's of Maine Antiplaque and Whitening Toothpaste, Peppermint, 2Pk, 5.5 oz?
Tom's of Maine
Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste, Peppermint, 2 Pack, 4.5 Oz
- toothpaste base, mineral silica, essential oils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- water, saponified oils, essential oils, minerals
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance/essential oil sensitization (peppermint)
- fluoride, glycerin, sorbitol, silica, cellulose gum
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fluoride ingestion toxicity
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More toothpaste grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.