Health

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Everyone’s Complaining About Toothpaste!

Over the past several months, we have received more complaints about toothpaste than any other product category.

The first complaints are about the consistency getting thinner.

I believe that toothpaste has been diluted from how I remember it to be. My recollection is having to use some effort squeezing the paste out of the tube. Now it seems like it’s barely a paste… –Ralph

CREST toothpaste pro-health 4.6 oz doesn’t say PASTE anymore and its consistency is more liquid and diluted than before. –Danilo D.

And of course, there are examples of shrinkflation.

*MOUSE PRINT:

We had purchased a multi-pack of Crest brand toothpaste at Costco, probably over a year ago. We did so again recently. Note the difference in net weight. –Paul R.

Crest shrinks

Verner E. also had a complaint about the new smaller Crest tubes from Costco.

I purchased a package of 5 tubes from Costco. When I used the first tube it felt like there was a lot of air in it. Same with the 2nd tube. The next tube I did an experiment by weighing the full tube and then subtracting the weight of an empty tube. I discovered that the contents only weighed 4.5 oz. while the tube advertises a net 5.2 oz. This is only 86.5 % of what is advertised on the tube. I called P&G to notify them of this rip-off but all they wanted to do was send me a coupon .

Here are additional “more air in tubes, less paste” complaints.

The photo attached is of a Crest Toothpaste tube after one squeeze which released about a pea sized amount of paste. It took many squeezes to get the toothpaste to the opening. Apparently the top third was filled with air. –CV

Crest empty space

When half used, you will notice air pocket in center of tube. — Kevin & Margaret C.

I’ll add my own complaint about a sample of Crest Gum Detoxify that I got from my dentist. It made the soft bristles on my toothbrush stiff!

We asked P&G, the maker of Crest, to comment on these complaints, but they did not.

Feel free to chime in with your toothpaste gripes in the comments.

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Those Devilish Keebler Elves Are at It Again

Oh those devilish Keebler elves apparently tired of downsizing their cookie packages have developed a new bad habit. According to Steven R., they have learned to talk out of both sides of their mouth.

Our consumer sent us photographs of a package of Keebler Country Style Oatmeal with Raisins, which clearly says on the front of the package in the bottom left hand corner that the product contains “no high fructose corn syrup.”

Keebler Oatmeal cookies

However, on the back of the bag, the ingredients statement tells a different story.

*Mouse Print:

Keebler oatmeal cookies ingredients

We asked the company about the sweetener discrepancy. (Clearly they are not paying attention to the front label having left out the word “cookies.”)

A spokesperson replied with this statement:

Keebler Country Oatmeal Cookies has a printing error on the front of the package. The product does contain high fructose corn syrup which is included in the list of ingredients on the back of the package. We regret any confusion.

The company did not explain how this happened or for how long the misrepresentation was there.

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Are Dispensing Holes in Products Getting Bigger So You Use More?

We have reported on various packaging and product tricks like shrinkflation, skimpflation, slack-fill, and measuring cap changes, but we haven’t talked about the size of the holes through which a product is dispensed. Some people have suggested the hole is getting bigger, so you wind up using more. We even got an inquiry from a New Zealand consumer TV show asking about this.

So MrConsumer checked his bountiful stock of toothpaste and found two tubes to compare. While not a perfect comparison because they are different varieties, it gives you a good sense if the allegations are true at least for Colgate.

The tube on top is Colgate Optic White with an expiration date in 2023 while the one beneath expired in 2013 — a 10 year difference.

Colgate boxes

Checking the diameter of the holes reveals something surprising.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Colgate holes

They are both 8mm wide. So at least with respect to these varieties of Colgate over a decade, the hole did not get bigger.

I am not able to compare Crest tubes because I do not use the brand generally and don’t have a supply of old ones. Maybe some readers do and can take measurements and report them in the comments.

Even if it is just a perception that toothpaste holes are too big and may be getting bigger, a product called Screwge was sent to me to make toothpaste tubes last longer. These are specially-made replacement caps for both Colgate and Crest with only a tiny hole in them, so you use much less.

Screwge

With respect to other products, the hole on some eye drop bottles is larger than it needs to be because the drops wind up dripping down one’s face.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Eye Drop holes

Dr. S, a regular reader and optometrist, wrote in to say you can screw on a cap replacement called Nanodropper that dispenses a smaller drop to reduce waste. It is compatible with most, but not all eyecare products.

And clearly, the hole on Dawn dishwashing liquid has gotten larger over the years.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Dawn holes

Feel free to comment on the hole size of various products you use in the comments.