
Christopher of North Brunswick, NJ on Feb. 2, 2009
I was reading the post regarding the Colgate Toothpaste from the link in the Rogues Gallery from the 02/01/09 Newsletter. Several of the complaints mentioned the issue of Colgate-Palmolive issuing free product coupons and an envelope to return the product to them, and the coupons as 'buy-offs'. In reality, while anything foreign in a product, drug or any other healthcare item is a serious issue, the coupons and request for the item are not buy-offs. Under Federal law and GMP practices, any product complaint must be fully investigated.
So when Colgate gets a call about glass shards in toothpaste, they need the tube back to see if it's really glass and if so, where that glass came from and if other tubes could also be contaminated with that foreign matter. The coupons are to replace the product being returned and to purchase additional free products for the inconvenience. Food companies and other industries also do this besides healthcare and pharma companies.
I was quite surprised that Colgate mentioned the rubber ring was a filling pump gasket, usually they won't say 'this is a common occurrence' or such and I am surprised Colgate has not remedied the issue yet if it is so common. Also, all complaints must be logged an the result of the investigation logged as well and they are reviewed by the FDA. Consumers can also contact the FDA directly regarding in some issues. ( I work in the pharmaceutical industry and have been trained in GMP and GLP compliance, also referred to as 21CFR parts 210, 211, and have never worked for, or any relative working for Colgate=Palmolive or any subsidiary of CP.)