Toothpaste Recall 2026: Brush Buddies, Evo and ARU Tubes

If you have kids' toothpaste in the bathroom cabinet, it is worth checking the tube. More than 4.3 million tubes of fluoride toothpaste, many of them Brush Buddies products sold with character branding like Barbie, Hot Wheels, Crayola and My Little Pony, are part of a nationwide recall, according to an FDA enforcement report. The recall also includes two Evo and two ARU toothpastes. "Toothpaste recall" passed 200,000 U.S. searches on Google Trends over the past week, alongside "Brush Buddies toothpaste recall." Here is what is covered and what to do.

What we know

The recall was started voluntarily on Sept. 10, 2026, by Pritam International Private Limited, an India-based manufacturer, and the FDA classified it as Class II on Oct. 19, USA Today and NBC News reported. The products were distributed nationwide by Ashtel Studios Inc. of Ontario, California, in 3.5-ounce and 4-ounce tubes and a two-pack of 3.5-ounce tubes.

The reason given is "CGMP deviations," meaning deviations from the current good manufacturing practice requirements. The FDA told USA Today on Oct. 22 that the reason was "deviations from current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) requirements." The CGMP rules set "minimum requirements for the methods, facilities, and controls used in manufacturing, processing and packaging of a drug product." The rules also help ensure a product is safe to use and has the ingredients and strength it claims, USA Today noted. A deviation means the manufacturing process did not meet the requirements; it does not necessarily mean the toothpaste itself is harmful, NBC News noted.

No illnesses or injuries have been reported.

What "Class II" means

The FDA uses three recall classes. Under its definitions, a Class II recall is "a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote." The other two classes, by the same FDA definitions:

• Class I: "a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." This is the most serious category.
• Class III: use of or exposure to the product "is not likely to cause adverse health consequences."

The FDA also notes that recalls may be carried out on a firm's own initiative, at FDA request or by FDA order. This one was voluntary, started by the manufacturer. In short, the toothpaste recall sits in the middle tier: more serious than a Class III technical violation, but well below the Class I level used for products with a reasonable probability of serious harm.

The full list of recalled toothpaste

According to the FDA enforcement report, as listed by USA Today, the 17 products are:

Sources: FDA enforcement report; USA Today.

Not every tube of these products is affected. The recall applies to specific lot numbers, and affected products carry expiration dates from November 2026 through June 2028, NBC News reported. That long date range means a recalled tube could still be in use at home.

How to check your toothpaste

1. Find the product name. Compare the front of the tube or box with the table above.
2. Find the lot number and expiration date. These are often printed on the crimped end of the tube or on the box.
3. Compare them with the FDA report. The enforcement report lists the lot numbers and expiration dates for each product.
4. If it matches, stop using it. The FDA notice does not include consumer instructions, and NBC News reported that neither the manufacturer nor the distributor had issued guidance on returns or refunds. NBC suggested keeping your receipt, or a photo of the packaging, in case a refund process is announced.
5. If you have health concerns, contact your dentist or doctor.

Questions parents are asking

My child used one of these tubes. Should I worry? The FDA has not reported any illnesses or injuries, and the Class II classification means serious harm is considered remote. If your child has symptoms or you are concerned, NBC News advises contacting your dentist or doctor.

Can I keep using the tube until I buy a new one? The safest course, NBC News suggests, is to stop using a matching tube and switch to a different fluoride toothpaste, so your family's brushing routine is not interrupted.

Who makes Brush Buddies?

Brush Buddies is a children's oral-care brand distributed by Ashtel Studios, the Houston Chronicle noted. The recalled tubes were made by Pritam International in India. Neither company had issued a public consumer statement in the sources we reviewed at the time of writing.

What's next

1. Weekly enforcement report. FDA recalls classified during a week appear in its weekly enforcement report, and the official record can be updated if products or lots are added.
2. Refund details. Watch for any refund or return instructions from Ashtel Studios or retailers.
3. Other recalls. It is a busy season for recalls. Read about the Kayem hot dog and bacon recall, and for health news, our report on the mRNA melanoma vaccine trial results.

The bottom line

The 2026 toothpaste recall is a Class II recall over manufacturing-practice problems, not a reported injury. Check the lot number and expiration date on any Brush Buddies, Evo or ARU tube, and stop using it if it matches the FDA list. This article is for general information and is not medical advice.