CORPORATE NEWS Chemical used in Colgate Total linked to cancer.

Community oral health workers from Colgate Palmolive examine pupils' teeth for cavities during a free dental check up at a past edition of the Kenya National Music Festival. It has emerged that Colgate Total toothpaste contains triclosan which studies in animals have suggested could harm growth. 


IN SUMMARY
Colgate Total contains triclosan, now linked to cancer and growth malformations in animals.
The US Federal Drug Administration used company-backed evidence to approve it in 1997.
The documents were released earlier this year after a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit last year.
A chemical that has been linked to cancer cell growth in animals is being used by thousands of Kenyans in toothpaste every day, it has emerged.

But the toxicology documents used by the FDA to approve the toothpaste reveal the agency relied upon company-backed science to reach its conclusion, Bloomberg News has reported. The documents were only released early this year after a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit last year.Colgate Total toothpaste contains triclosan, which its makers say prevents gum disease, but studies in animals have suggested it could harm growth. Colgate Palmolive, the company behind the toothpaste, insists the chemical is safe because the toothpaste was approved in 1997 by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The 35-page report reveals the FDA had concerns that triclosan could increase the risk of cancer, but Colgate said the chemical was only problematic in large doses. However, evidence available at the time, as well as newer studies, show there are indeed concerns with the chemical — including premature births and underdeveloped bones in animals.

The news will come as a fresh blow to the local unit of Colgate Palmolive, which is battling accusations of tax evasion through improper transfer pricing arrangements.

READ: KRA accuses Colgate Palmolive of tax evasion

Triclosan was once a common ingredient in many antibacterial soaps but a 2005 FDA study found it was no better at killing germs than ordinary soaps. Colgate Palmolive rival Reckitt Benckiser has removed triclosan from three face washes. Prominent manufacturers such as Avon, Proctor & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson have also announced plans to phase it out from their products.

According to The New York Times, Colgate-Palmolive also removed the chemical from its soap products in 2011, citing "changing consumer preferences" . However, the "change was more likely motivated by concerns raised by consumer groups and Congressional leaders over the potentially harmful effects of the chemical" .
Scientists attending an annual meeting of the American Chemical Society this week have expressed concern at the common use of antibacterial soaps by pregnant women. According to a Daily Mail report, the scientists say the compounds used in such soaps may damage the health of both mother and baby and may be contributing to fertility problems.

The latest research shows a link between exposure to the chemicals and shorter newborn birth weight. Some research also suggests that the additives in antibacterial soaps could contribute to antibiotic resistance, a growing public health problem.