Colgate-Palmolive Shakes Off Suit Over PFAS in Tom’s Mouthwash

Colgate-Palmolive Co. and its Tom’s of Maine unit fended off, for now, a proposed class suit alleging they deceptively portray mouthwash as natural despite the presence of PFAS.

Lead plaintiffs Abigail Esquibel and others alleged that independent third-party testing revealed high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Tom’s Wicked Fresh! Mouthwash. But they lack standing to sue because they didn’t show they were financially harmed, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York said.

• The plaintiffs’ allegations aren’t enough to support a plausible inference that the bottles they bought were tainted, and the mere risk that ...