Bought this toothpaste? Deadline to file a claim in $2.9M settlement looms

(NEXSTAR) – The deadline for consumers hoping to claim their portion of a $2.9 million settlement concerning Tom’s of Maine toothpaste products is fast approaching.

A lawsuit filed late last year accused the brand and its parent company, the Colgate-Palmolive Company, of “deceptive and misleading business practices.” Federal regulators had reported concerns about the manufacturing practices after a 2024 inspection of the Tom’s manufacturing facility.

A “black mold-like substance” and “powder residues” were among the issues flagged by inspectors. A review of pre-release testing data by the company found that roughly 4,900 Tom’s toothpastes made over three years posed no safety risk to consumers.

Still, a lawsuit has accused the manufacturer of “deceptive and misleading business practices with respect to the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of Tom’s toothpaste.”

While Colgate has denied the allegations, the company agreed to a $2.9 million class action settlement.

Who qualifies for the settlement?

You need to have purchased at least one Tom’s of Maine toothpaste product between Nov. 21, 2020, and March 6, 2026, to file a claim. All Tom’s of Maine toothpaste products purchased during the aforementioned time period qualify for reimbursement, according to settlement administrators.

Every approved claim will receive monetary relief.

How much will you receive?

It depends on whether you have proof, like a receipt, that you bought Tom’s of Maine between Nov. 21, 2020, and March 6, 2026.

If you do, you may receive a full refund of the amount you spent on the Tom’s products. The refunds, however, are capped at three products per claimant, according to the settlement site.

Without proof, you may receive “the total of the average manufacturer’s suggested retail price for up to one” Tom’s toothpaste product.

Refunds could be reduced if there are more approved claims than funds in the settlement account. If there are excess funds, the administrators say they will be donated to Equal Justice Works, a nonprofit organization.

How do you file a claim, and what’s the deadline?

If you believe you qualify, you can complete a claim form online or by printing it and mailing it in.

Acceptable proofs of purchase include receipts, invoices and loyalty records, the administrators note.

While completing the form, you will have to select your preferred payment method, which can include PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or a physical check sent via mail.

Your deadline to file a claim is Monday, July 6, 2026.

According to the settlement site, the settlement is still pending final approval, with a court hearing scheduled for Sept. 10, 2026. Payments cannot be disbursed until the settlement receives final approval, and appeals could further delay the process.

WJW’s Talia Naquin contributed to this report.

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