Fact Check: Do colour bars on toothpaste tubes reveal ingredients? No

Hyderabad: A video of News Nation anchor Romita Tiwari has gone viral on social media where she mentioned unverified claims about colour bars at the end of toothpaste packets. According to the anchor, each colour bar represents a set of ingredients; red represents natural and chemical ingredients, blue indicates natural and medicinal ingredients, and black indicates that toothpaste is only made of chemicals. The anchor advised people to only use toothpaste in green packs, which means that the toothpaste is made of all-natural ingredients.

A similar post can be seen here as well.

Do toothpaste packets really have a color code that is indicative of the ingredients of the toothpaste inside.? Let’s fact-check.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found the claim to be false.

According to Healthline, “The colored rectangle at the end of the packet has nothing to do with the toothpaste’s formulation. It’s simply a mark made during the manufacturing process. The marks are read by light beam sensors, which notify machines where the packaging should be cut, folded, or sealed. These marks come in many colors and they’re not limited to green, blue, red, and black. Different colors change on the type of packaging, sensors or machines. In other words, all the colors have a similar purpose.”

Calling the claim ‘totally false’ the article advises people to read the ingredients printed on the toothpaste box if they want correct information about ingredients.

Moreover, we scanned the website of Colgate to find leads on the same and found that the reason for the marks has to do with how toothpaste tubes are made. The marks help light sensors detect the end of the tube so that the machines that prepare the tubes know where to cut and seal them.

It further added, “The Indian Dental Association (IDA) points out the importance of looking for a toothpaste that contains fluoride, as it helps prevent tooth decay and cavities by strengthening the enamel.”

In another article, American Dental Association (ADA) said, "Toothpastes can come in a gel, paste or powder forms. While the ingredients differ slightly, all tubes of toothpaste contain the same general components."

Lastly, everything is a chemical, even a natural ingredient. There is no relevance to the colour code at the bottom of the tube when it comes to ingredients in toothpaste. While choosing a toothpaste, always look for an ADA seal of acceptance and what suits you the best.

If confused or have dental issues, consult with your dentist.