Warning: Toothpaste Sold In Texas May Have Bacteria, Mold Contamination

A toothpaste company has received a warning letter from the FDA about conditions at its manufacturing facility that could have affected the quality of its product.

The products are not currently under recall and the company maintains that its final product is safe.

According to NBC News, water used to manufacture Tom's of Maine's Simply White clean mint paste, and for the final rinse when cleaning equipment, was found to contain dangerous bacteria back in May of this year.

Both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Ralstonia insidiosa were found in water samples from the plant. Paracoccus yeei was found in the final batch of Wicked Cool! anticavity toothpaste.

P. aeruginosa can cause infections in the blood and lungs and can prove antibiotic-resistant, according to the CDC.

Read More: Warning Texas: Deadly E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Organic Carrots

Ralstonia insidiosa can sicken immunocompromised individuals, according to Bacdive, and the same is true for Paracoccus yeei, according to NIH.

An investigator observed a “black mold-like substance” at the facility, which was very near equipment used for toothpaste production, and powder residues on a tray near a batch of Tom’s Silly Strawberry anticavity toothpaste.

The FDA sent the letter to the parent company of the facility Colgate-Palmolive, which has since been released to the public.

Read More: Major Frozen Waffle Recall: Many Brands Sold In Texas Pose Risk

Tom's of Maine released a statement indicating that they are working with the FDA to get the facility into compliance.

In a statement sent to NBC News, Tom's of Maine defended their product:

We have always tested finished goods before they leave our control, and we remain fully confident in the safety and quality of the toothpaste we make.

The statement also indicated that improvements to the water system will be made.