Hello Products LLC, owned by Colgate-Palmolive since 2020, faces multiple separate, verified lawsuits, not one single case. The most serious, Browne v. Hello Products LLC (Case No. 7:25-cv-05698, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York), filed July 11, 2025, alleges certain Hello Kids toothpastes contain undisclosed heavy metals. Testing cited in the complaint found 493 parts per billion of lead and 19 parts per billion of mercury in Hello Kids Fluoride Free Toothpaste Fresh Watermelon, and 428.4 parts per billion of lead and 11.8 parts per billion of mercury in Hello Kids Dragon Dazzle Fluoride Toothpaste.
A separate January 2025 lawsuit alleges Hello Kids Fluoride Rinse was marketed as safe for young children without adequate fluoride exposure warnings. An earlier, unrelated 2019 case over charcoal toothpaste marketing claims reached a $1.5 million settlement. None of the newer allegations have been proven in court, and Hello disputes them.
Yes, there are real, current lawsuits against Hello Products, and they’re serious enough to warrant a parent’s attention. There isn’t one single “Hello toothpaste lawsuit,” though. There are several separate cases, filed at different times, over different issues. Treating them as one story blurs what’s actually confirmed.
The most significant current case involves heavy metals in children’s toothpaste. Here’s what’s verified, case by case.
The Heavy Metals Case (July 2025): What’s Actually Alleged
Damany Browne filed this class action on July 11, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, naming Hello Products LLC as the defendant. The complaint targets Hello Kids Dragon Dazzle Fluoride Toothpaste and Hello Kids Fluoride Free Toothpaste Fresh Watermelon specifically, though it references Hello-branded toothpaste more broadly.
The complaint cites third-party testing showing specific contamination levels: 493 parts per billion of lead and 19 parts per billion of mercury in the Fresh Watermelon flavor, and 428.4 parts per billion of lead and 11.8 parts per billion of mercury in the Dragon Dazzle flavor. According to reporting on the case, these lead levels run roughly 28 to 32 times above the EPA’s action level, and the mercury levels run more than five times above the EPA’s maximum contaminant level for drinking water, used here as a reference point.
The lawsuit doesn’t allege Hello intentionally poisoned anyone. It alleges the company knew or should have known about heavy metal contamination risk in its manufacturing process and failed to disclose it, while marketing the products using language like “safe for all ages,” “no artificial sweeteners,” and “high quality ingredients.” The plaintiff is represented by attorneys from Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC, and the case seeks class certification covering New York purchasers, along with damages and a jury trial.
This is a real, filed federal case with verified details, cross-confirmed by the actual complaint document, ClassAction.org’s case tracking, and Top Class Actions’ independent reporting. It is not proven. Hello disputes the allegations and maintains its products are safe and comply with regulatory standards. Both things are true at once right now: a serious, credible allegation exists, and no court has ruled on its merits yet.
The Fluoride Rinse Case (January 2025): A Separate Matter
Consumers Amber Miller, Josh Cook, and Marina Vasilyeva filed a separate class action in January 2025, alleging Hello Kids Fluoride Rinse was marketed as safe for young children in a way that understated real fluoride exposure risks. The complaint reportedly argues the product’s packaging emphasized natural ingredients and an ADA seal of approval while downplaying required warnings, and that a typical dose delivers enough fluoride to exceed reference levels for a young child if swallowed regularly.
This case concerns a different product and a different specific allegation than the heavy metals case above. Don’t conflate them; they raise different concerns and rest on different evidence.
The 2019 Charcoal Toothpaste Case: Already Settled
Separate from both cases above, an earlier class action filed on October 16, 2019, alleged Hello falsely advertised its charcoal toothpaste line and understated enamel erosion risk from regular charcoal use. This case settled for $1.5 million. The settlement allowed claims without proof of purchase, up to $6 per product for up to five products, or up to ten products with proof of purchase, subject to pro-rated adjustment based on total valid claims.
Given how much time has passed since this settlement, the claims window has very likely closed. If you believe you might still qualify, check the settlement administrator’s official site directly rather than assuming it’s still open based on older articles.
What’s Different About This Situation Compared to Other “Lawsuit” Topics
Unlike several other topics researched using this same methodology, this one holds up well under scrutiny. Multiple independent sources, the actual filed complaint, and a specialized class action legal news service. Also, a separate class action tracking site agrees on case numbers, court names, and plaintiff names. Also, specific factual details like exact parts-per-billion figures. That kind of cross-source consistency, down to specific numbers. It is a strong signal of accurate, verified reporting rather than fabricated or exaggerated content.
That said, allegations in a complaint are not proven facts. A filed lawsuit means a company has been formally accused in court, not that a judge or jury has found the claims true.
What This Means If You Have Hello Kids Toothpaste at Home
Stop using the two specifically named products, Hello Kids Dragon Dazzle Fluoride Toothpaste and Hello Kids Fluoride Free Toothpaste Fresh Watermelon. If you have concerns while this litigation is pending, consider switching to a different children’s toothpaste in the meantime. This isn’t a confirmed recall, so this is a personal risk-tolerance decision, not a mandated action.
Check ingredient sourcing and independent testing for whatever toothpaste you switch to as well. Heavy metal contamination in toothpaste often traces back to mineral-based ingredients like hydroxyapatite. Clay, or calcium carbonate, which can carry trace contamination depending on sourcing, not something unique to one brand.
Use only a pea-sized amount for young children, regardless of brand. Supervise brushing to minimize swallowing, standard guidance that matters more than usual while this specific concern is unresolved.
Watch for updates directly through ClassAction.org’s case tracking or Top Class Actions rather than relying on any single article, including this one, since litigation status changes.
If your child has used these specific products regularly and you’re concerned about exposure, talk to your pediatrician. They can advise on whether any testing or monitoring makes sense for your specific situation, which this article can’t do for you.
FAQs
Is there a real Hello toothpaste lawsuit?
Yes, several separate ones. The most serious, filed in July 2025, alleges heavy metal contamination in specific Hello Kids toothpaste products. Other, separate cases cover fluoride rinse marketing and, from 2019, charcoal toothpaste advertising claims.
Has it been proven that Hello toothpaste contains dangerous lead and mercury levels?
No. This is an allegation in an active lawsuit, based on third-party testing cited in the complaint. Hello disputes the claims. No court has ruled on the merits yet.
Which specific products are named in the heavy metals lawsuit?
Hello Kids Dragon Dazzle Fluoride Toothpaste and Hello Kids Fluoride Free Toothpaste Fresh Watermelon are specifically named, though the complaint references Hello-branded toothpaste more broadly.
Has Hello toothpaste been recalled?
No nationwide recall tied to these lawsuit allegations was found in this research as of this update.
Can I still file a claim for the 2019 charcoal toothpaste settlement?
That settlement is old enough that its claims window has very likely closed. Check the settlement administrator’s official site directly to confirm the current status.
What should I do if I’m concerned about my child’s exposure?
Consider switching products if you’re worried; use only a pea-sized amount regardless of brand; supervise brushing. Talk to your pediatrician if you have specific exposure concerns.
Sources
- ClassAction.org, Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Lead, Mercury Contamination
- ClassAction.org, full complaint: Browne v. Hello Products LLC, Case No. 7:25-cv-05698
- Top Class Actions, Lawsuit alleges Hello Toothpaste contains dangerous levels of heavy metals
- Open Class Actions, Hello Charcoal Toothpaste False Advertising Class Action Settlement
Disclaimer: This article covers publicly available legal filings for general informational purposes and doesn’t constitute legal or medical advice. Allegations described in an active lawsuit are not proven facts. Consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child. For corrections, please contact our team through the Contact Page.
Musarat Bano is a content writer for JudicialOcean.com who covers lawsuits, legal news, and general legal topics. Her work focuses on research-based, informational content developed from publicly available sources and is intended to support public awareness. She does not provide legal advice or professional legal services.
