Colgate Laboratory Tests Show Toothpaste and Mouthwash Neutralize 99.9% of the Virus That Causes COVID-19
November 19, 2020 at 12:36 pm EST
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Colgate-Palmolive Company announced that laboratory studies show that toothpastes containing zinc or stannous and mouthwash formulas with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) neutralize the virus that causes COVID-19 by 99.9 percent. The studies are part of a Colgate research program that includes clinical studies among infected people to assess the efficacy of oral care products in reducing the amount of the virus in the mouth, potentially slowing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. In the laboratory studies -- the first to include toothpaste -- Colgate Total and Meridol toothpastes neutralized 99.9% of the virus after two minutes of contact. Colgate Plax and Colgate Total mouthwashes were similarly effective after 30 seconds. The studies, completed in October, were conducted in partnership with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s (NJMS) Public Health Research Institute and Regional Biosafety Laboratories. The results suggest that some toothpastes and mouthwashes may help reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by temporarily reducing the amount of virus in the mouth. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets or small particles produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Colgate-Palmolive Company is one of the worldwide leaders in the manufacturing and marketing of cleaning and hygiene products. The group also products and sells pet food (dogs and cats). Net sales break down by family of products as follows:
- hygiene and cleaning products (78%): oral hygiene (toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, etc.; Colgate brand), body care (soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, shaving products, etc.; Palmolive, Speed Stick, Softsoap, etc.), household care, and linen care (dishwashing liquids, detergents, stain removers, fabric softeners, bleach, etc.; Palmolive, Ajax, Soupline, Suavitel, etc.). Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: North America (25.9%), Latin America (30.6%), Asia-Pacific (18.3%), Europe (18.1%), Africa and Eurasia (7.1%);
- cat and dog foods (22%; Hill's): world leader.