Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit: Lead and Mercury Contamination Claims Explained
Parents are suing Hello Products and Colgate over alleged heavy metals in children's toothpaste — here's what we know.
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Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
What the Lawsuit Alleges
Two class actions (2024 and 2025) allege that Hello Kids toothpastes — sold by Hello Products LLC, owned by Colgate-Palmolive — contain undisclosed dangerous levels of lead and mercury. Independent testing cited in the complaints reportedly found lead from 236 to 658 parts per billion, far above the EPA drinking-water limit of 15 ppb. Plaintiffs allege marketing the products as safe and natural for children while omitting heavy-metal content is consumer fraud.
Case Details
Case 1: Browne v. Hello Products LLC, No. 1:25-cv-05698, S.D.N.Y., filed July 11, 2025. Case 2: Barton v. Colgate-Palmolive, S.D. California, filed October 22, 2024.
Current Status
Who Is Affected & Can You Join?
The New York case (Browne) covers New York purchasers of any Hello-branded toothpaste. The California case (Barton) covers California purchasers of Hello Kids varieties (Unicorn Sparkle, Smiling Shark, Dragon Dazzle). A nationwide class has not yet been certified.
Is There a Payout?
Case Timeline
- 1
2023–2024 — Independent Testing Surfaces
Independent testers publish results showing elevated lead and mercury in Hello Kids varieties, sparking consumer concern.
- 2
October 22, 2024 — California Lawsuit Filed
Barton v. Colgate-Palmolive alleges Hello Kids toothpastes contain 236–658 ppb lead — up to 43× the EPA water limit — and that 'natural' marketing misled buyers.
- 3
July 11, 2025 — New York Lawsuit Filed
Browne v. Hello Products alleges Hello Kids Dragon Dazzle contained 428 ppb lead (28× the limit) and 11.8 ppb mercury (5× the limit).
- 4
2025 — Early Litigation
Both suits proceed through pleading stages. No recall issued; FDA has not issued a mandatory advisory specific to these claims.
- 5
2026 — No Settlement Yet
Both cases remain in early federal litigation; class-certification motions have not been decided and no fund established.
Scam & Misinformation Warnings
Whenever a brand lawsuit goes viral, scam sites and bad actors follow. Watch for these red flags:
Premature Claim-Form Sites
Some sites already advertise 'Hello toothpaste settlement claim forms.' No settlement exists and no class is certified — do not submit financial information to these sites.
Inflated Payout Estimates
Consumer-product class actions typically yield small per-person recoveries unless there's documented personal injury. No cash amount has been ordered or agreed.
Recall Misinformation
As of 2026, Hello Products and Colgate have not recalled any toothpaste and no FDA mandatory recall has been issued. Sites claiming an active recall are not reflecting confirmed action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really lead in Hello Kids toothpaste?
Independent testing cited by plaintiffs found lead between 236 and 658 ppb in several Hello Kids varieties — far above the 15 ppb EPA water limit. Hello and Colgate dispute the significance and have not issued a recall.
Is the Hello toothpaste lawsuit active in 2026?
Yes. Two federal class actions — New York (July 2025) and California (October 2024) — are actively in litigation. No settlement or class certification has occurred.
Can I file a claim right now?
No claim form exists yet because there's no settlement and no certified class. You can register interest with plaintiffs' firms to be notified of developments.
Which products are named?
The suits name Hello Kids Dragon Dazzle, Fluoride Free Watermelon, Unicorn Sparkle and Smiling Shark; the New York complaint broadly covers all Hello-branded toothpastes.
Why is lead found in toothpaste?
Lead is not an intentional ingredient; it typically enters via naturally occurring contamination in raw materials. Plaintiffs argue the levels are high enough to require disclosure, making 'natural' marketing false.
Who owns Hello toothpaste?
Hello Products LLC is the brand; Colgate-Palmolive acquired it, which is why both appear in different versions of the litigation.
What should I do if I bought it?
There's no current safety recall. If concerned, stop using the product and consult a pediatrician. Keep receipts and packaging photos in case a settlement is eventually reached.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.