An inspection this year of a Tom’s of Maine’s facility in Sanford, Maine, turned up several violations, including bacteria in water used to make toothpaste, bacterial growth in another type of toothpaste and “a black mold-like substance” near manufacturing equipment,

The FDA sent a warning letter flagging "significant violations" of manufacturing regulations for Tom's of Maine toothpaste.

Tom's of Maine has received a warning from the Food and Drug Administration about a "black mold-like substance," as well as bacteria in the water, at the Sanford factory where its toothpaste is made.