In November 2022, the HPRA instructed retailers in Ireland to stop selling a range of products called ToothFaerie Toothpaste. The products were considered unsafe and did not comply with European Cosmetics Regulations.
The safety concerns included:
- The products listed an ingredient which is prohibited from use in cosmetic products; namely sodium tetraborate (borax). Borax may be toxic for reproduction.
- Some batches of product were tested and found to have microbial contamination at levels which may cause infection or irritation.
- No assurance was received that a Cosmetic Product Safety Report had been carried out for the products in question. Such safety reports are a legal requirement for all cosmetics on the Irish market in order to protect public health.
Despite the instruction issued, we are aware that these products may still be available to Irish consumers via online sale. As the manufacturer has not informed us that the products have been amended to comply fully with the legal requirements, these products are still considered unsafe.
Actions To Be Taken:
Advice for consumers
If you purchased one of these products, please stop using it immediately. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with your GP.
Advice for retailers
If you are a retailer and have any of the below named products in stock, please quarantine the stock from sale and contact the HPRA at cosmetics@hpra.ie.
| Product Name | Batch Code |
| ToothFaerie Activated Charcoal with coconut Toothpaste | All batches |
| ToothFaerie Activated Charcoal with peppermint/spearmint Toothpaste | All batches |
| ToothFaerie Cinnamon Leaf & Spearmint Toothpaste | All batches |
| ToothFaerie Orange & Petitgrain Toothpaste | All batches |
| ToothFaerie Peppermint & Spearmint Toothpaste | All batches |
| ToothFaerie Sweet Fennel & Turmeric Toothpaste | All batches |