Tom’s of maine toothpaste made with contaminated water, inspectors say

U.S. inspectors found Tom’s of Maine toothpaste was made with water containing multiple strains of dangerous bacteria and sold to consumers anyway, according to a warning letter posted Tuesday.

Water used to make Tom’s Simply White Clean Mint Toothpaste, sold by Colgate-Palmolive Co., contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria that can cause blood and lung infections, Food and Drug Administration inspectors found. Multiple instances of contamination clocked by Tom’s in 2021 and 2022 were ignored, according to the letter sent to Colgate on Nov. 5.

Tom’s said its products are safe, and it’s working with the FDA to fix the problems the agency found. The company said it always tests finished products and has engaged water specialists.

Tom’s of Maine toothpaste has been marketed for decades with claims that it’s made from natural ingredients. The once-independent brand was acquired by Colgate in 2006. Tom’s also sells mouthwash, antiperspirant and deodorant.

FDA inspectors visited Tom’s factory in Sanford, Maine, in May, according to the agency. The same contaminated water used to make toothpaste was used to clean manufacturing equipment, the inspectors said.

Walmart sees ‘momentum’ before shopping season with 5% sale increase

Walmart has told its workers that it plans to “win” the holiday season. Before the peak shopping period, the nation’s largest retailer appears well positioned, citing “broad-based strength” across its product range.

Walmart said Tuesday that U.S. sales increased 5% in the third quarter, to $114.9 billion, easily surpassing analysts’ estimates. The number of visits and the amount spent per visit both rose, a promising trend. Walmart raised its full-year forecast for sales and profit, higher than the estimates it had already increased three months ago.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the company had “momentum.” “In the U.S., in-store volumes grew, pickup from store grew faster, and delivery from store grew even faster than that,” he said in a statement Tuesday. The results were somewhat affected by hurricanes and a strike by East Coast port workers, the company said, slightly raising sales but denting profits.

Walmart, which brings in millions of customers each week, is a bellwether of U.S. consumer trends.

DOJ pushing Google to sell Chrome

Top Justice Department antitrust officials have decided to ask a judge to force Alphabet Inc.’s Google to sell off its Chrome browser in what would be a historic crackdown on one of the world’s biggest tech companies.

The department will ask the judge, who ruled in August that Google illegally monopolized the search market, to require measures related to artificial intelligence and its Android smartphone operating system, according to people familiar with the plans.

Antitrust officials, along with states that have joined the case, also plan to recommend Wednesday that federal judge Amit Mehta impose data licensing requirements, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing a confidential matter.

If Mehta accepts the proposals, they have the potential to reshape the online search market and the burgeoning AI industry. The case was filed under the first Trump administration and continued under President Joe Biden. It marks the most aggressive effort to rein in a technology company since Washington unsuccessfully sought to break up Microsoft Corp. two decades ago.

Compiled from Bloomberg and New York Times reports.