Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit 2026: What’s Real, What’s Paid, and What’s Still Pending
Quick Answer
- Yes, the Hello toothpaste lawsuits are real court cases, and one already paid out $1.5 million in 2022.
- No new settlement fund exists yet. Heavy metal, fluoride rinse, and artificial sweetener cases remain active with no payout confirmed.
- The old charcoal claim deadline of October 11, 2022 has passed. No new deadline exists for the pending cases.
If you typed “hello toothpaste lawsuit” into Google, you probably saw a text or a headline and want the short version. Here it is: Hello Products LLC, owned by Colgate-Palmolive, has been sued at least five separate times since 2019. One case, over activated charcoal toothpaste, already settled and paid out. Four newer cases, covering lead and mercury in kids’ toothpaste, a fluoride rinse marketed to toddlers, and mislabeled “no artificial sweeteners” claims, are still working through federal and state court with no settlement yet.
Parents who bought Hello Kids products are the group paying closest attention right now. The most serious allegation involves lead readings reported as high as 32 times the EPA’s drinking water limit. No refund program exists for that claim as of this writing, and no recall has followed it either.
This guide breaks down every active Hello case, what’s confirmed versus what’s still spin, and one detail competitors keep glossing over: a rival site is already advertising an $8 million settlement with a named judge and hearing date that we could not verify anywhere else.
The Facts
| Case | Multiple: Patellos v. Hello Products (charcoal, closed) plus Barton v. Colgate-Palmolive, Browne v. Hello Products, Miller v. Hello Products, and Flaherty v. Hello Products (all active) |
| Status | Charcoal settlement paid and closed. Heavy metals, fluoride rinse, and sweetener cases remain active, no class certified |
| Fund Size | $1.5 million (charcoal case, closed). Not yet confirmed for any pending case |
| Est. Per Person | About $6 per product, charcoal case only, closed. Not yet determined for other cases |
| Claim Deadline | October 11, 2022 for charcoal (passed). TBD for pending cases |
| Administrator | Simpluris-run Charcoal Toothpaste Settlement Administrator, charcoal case only. Not yet appointed elsewhere |
| Proof Needed | None required for up to 5 charcoal products, receipts needed for up to 10. Check future claim forms for other cases |
Is the Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit Real?
Yes. Hello Products LLC has faced at least five separate lawsuits since 2019, and court records confirm each one.
The company, bought by Colgate-Palmolive in 2020, markets itself as “naturally friendly” oral care. That branding is exactly what plaintiffs in multiple suits say doesn’t match the ingredients.
One case already resolved. A federal judge in the Southern District of New York approved a $1.5 million settlement in Patellos, et al. v. Hello Products, LLC, Case No. 1:19-cv-09577-SDA. That covered activated charcoal toothpaste and closed in 2022.
Four newer cases are active right now:
- Barton v. Colgate-Palmolive (California, 2024): lead and mercury in Hello Kids toothpaste
- Browne v. Hello Products LLC, Case No. 7:25-cv-05698 (S.D.N.Y., 2025): heavy metals, broader Hello product line
- Miller v. Hello Products LLC, Case No. 3:25-cv-00071-AGS-BLM (S.D. California, filed January 13, 2025): fluoride rinse for kids under six
- Flaherty v. Hello Products LLC, Case No. 1:23-cv-01990: “no artificial sweeteners” claims involving sorbitol and xylitol
Key Takeaway: The Hello toothpaste lawsuit isn’t one case, it’s five, and only the oldest one has actually paid consumers anything.
Is There a Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit Settlement in 2026?
No confirmed new settlement exists for the pending Hello cases as of mid-2026.
The heavy metals, fluoride rinse, and sweetener lawsuits remain in active litigation. None has reached class certification.
That distinction matters. Without certification, there’s no defined class, no agreed fund, and no claim form to file. Some sites are already publishing claim forms anyway.
One competing article describes an $8 million fund with preliminary approval from a named federal judge and a September fairness hearing. We checked court dockets, the FTC, and official settlement-notice sites and found no corroboration for that specific figure, judge name, or hearing date anywhere else. Treat that claim as unconfirmed until an official settlement website or court order backs it up.
How Much Money Can You Get From the Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit?
Not yet determined for any currently active Hello case.
The only Hello settlement to actually pay consumers was the charcoal toothpaste case, and that program closed in 2022. Under that settlement, buyers without a receipt could claim about $6 per product, capped at five products. With proof of purchase (a receipt or bank statement), households could claim up to ten products, and final amounts were pro-rated based on total valid claims.
| Charcoal Settlement Tier | Amount | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| No proof of purchase | About $6 per product | 5 products |
| With proof of purchase | Pro-rated, same base rate | 10 products |
For the pending heavy metals, fluoride rinse, and sweetener cases, no payout structure exists yet. Any number you see attached to those cases right now should be read as a guess, not a court-ordered figure.
Is the Hello Charcoal Toothpaste Lawsuit Still Paying Out?
No. The charcoal toothpaste settlement is closed.
The claim deadline was October 11, 2022, and the exclusion deadline for anyone who wanted to opt out was August 27, 2022. Both dates have long passed.
Class counsel, Federman & Sherwood and Pastor Law Office LLP, with William B. Federman as lead counsel, represented the class at no direct cost to claimants. Simpluris administered the payments through a P.O. box in Santa Ana, California.
If you filed a valid claim before the deadline, your payment should have already processed. If you never filed, there’s no reopening this window.
Key Takeaway: The charcoal settlement already happened and already paid. If a site tells you it’s still open for claims, that site is out of date or wrong.
What Happened to the $1.5 Million Hello Charcoal Toothpaste Settlement?
It resolved allegations that Hello’s activated charcoal formula damaged tooth enamel while being marketed as safe.
The lawsuit claimed the charcoal ingredient could erode enamel, leaving teeth more vulnerable to staining, cavities, and gum disease like periodontitis. Hello denied liability throughout and admitted no wrongdoing as part of the deal.
The settlement fund totaled $1.5 million. Consumers nationwide who bought Hello’s charcoal-based oral care products between 2019 and the settlement date were eligible, no injury required, just a purchase.
That resolution matters for context. It’s the second time in six years Hello’s “natural” positioning has drawn a formal court challenge, and it shows a pattern plaintiffs’ attorneys keep pointing back to in the newer filings.
How Do You Check If You Qualify for the Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit?
You generally qualify for an active case if you purchased a named Hello product during the relevant window and no settlement or exclusion applies to you yet.
Since none of the 2024 and 2025 cases has reached settlement, “qualifying” today just means you’re a potential class member if the case eventually resolves.
- Identify which specific product you bought (Hello Kids Unicorn Sparkle, Dragon Dazzle, fluoride rinse, or standard toothpaste lines)
- Check the purchase date against the case’s alleged class period
- Save any receipts, loyalty account records, or credit card statements
- Watch the official docket or a reputable settlement-tracking site for certification news
- Do not pay any third party to “register” you, since no claim form exists yet
Reality Check: No legitimate settlement administrator will text you first asking for banking details before a class is even certified. Filing a real claim is always free, and paid “claim helper” services are unnecessary for these pending cases since there’s nothing to file yet.
How Do You File a Claim in the Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit?
You can’t file a claim in any pending Hello case right now, because none has reached the claims stage.
For the closed charcoal settlement, the process already ended. Here’s what that process looked like, for reference, since a similar model will likely apply if a newer case settles:
- Wait for preliminary court approval of a settlement
- Watch for an official notice mailed, emailed, or posted online
- Visit the official settlement administrator’s website only
- Gather proof of purchase if you want to claim more than the no-proof cap
- Submit the claim form before the stated deadline
- Keep a copy of your confirmation for your records
If a future Hello settlement opens, expect a similar structure: a defined class period, a no-proof tier capped at a handful of products, and a documented tier for larger claims.
What Is the Deadline for the Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit?
The only confirmed deadline, October 11, 2022, applied solely to the closed charcoal toothpaste settlement and has passed.
No deadline currently applies to the heavy metals, fluoride rinse, or artificial sweetener cases, because none has reached the settlement stage where deadlines get set.
That’s an important distinction from a store return policy, where a missed window just means no refund. Here, the “window” for new cases hasn’t even opened. There’s nothing to miss yet, just a case to watch.
Key Takeaway: If you’re worried about missing a Hello toothpaste deadline in 2026, the honest answer is that no deadline exists to miss right now.
What Is the Status of the Hello Toothpaste Lawsuit Update in 2026?
As of mid-2026, four Hello Products cases remain active with no class certified and no settlement reached.
| Case | Filed | Status as of 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Barton v. Colgate-Palmolive | 2024 | Active, California federal court |
| Browne v. Hello Products | 2025 | Active, S.D.N.Y. |
| Miller v. Hello Products | January 2025 | Discovery phase, S.D. California |
| Flaherty v. Hello Products | 2023 | Remanded to Cook County, Illinois, March 2025 |
None of these cases has an announced fund size, per-person estimate, or claim deadline. Any site presenting specific dollar figures for these active cases should be checked against an official court record before you trust it.
What Is the Hello Lawsuit Over Lead and Mercury About?
It alleges that Hello Kids toothpaste flavors contained heavy metal levels far above safety benchmarks while being marketed as safe for children.
Independent testing cited in the complaints reportedly found lead readings between 236 and 658 parts per billion in certain Hello Kids varieties. The EPA’s drinking water action level for lead is 15 parts per billion, so those readings are dramatically higher by comparison.
The California case, Barton v. Colgate-Palmolive, names Unicorn Sparkle, Smiling Shark, and Dragon Dazzle flavors. The New York case, Browne v. Hello Products, covers Dragon Dazzle and Fresh Watermelon Fluoride Free, plus Hello-branded toothpaste more broadly.
Neither the FDA nor Hello Products has issued a recall tied to these specific allegations. The FDA does not currently set a specific regulatory lead limit for toothpaste, a gap plaintiffs argue these lawsuits may help close.
What Is the Hello Fluoride Rinse Lawsuit?
It claims Hello’s Kids Fluoride Rinse was marketed to parents of children under six despite dental guidance warning against fluoride rinse for that age group.
Filed January 13, 2025 as Miller et al. v. Hello Products LLC, the suit targets flavors like “Unicorn Splash” and “Wild Strawberry.” The complaint alleges the rinse carries the same fluoride concentration as adult formulas.
Plaintiffs raise the risk of fluoride toxicity from ingestion, including nausea and vomiting, plus long-term risk of dental fluorosis, a permanent enamel discoloration. The suit also claims Hello skipped a mandatory front-label warning.
This case is not an argument against fluoride itself. It’s an argument that marketing downplayed swallowing risk for very young children. The case remains in discovery, meaning both sides are still gathering evidence.
What Is the Hello Artificial Sweeteners Lawsuit?
It alleges Hello mislabeled certain toothpastes as free of artificial sweeteners despite containing sorbitol and xylitol.
Filed as Flaherty v. Hello Products LLC, Case No. 1:23-cv-01990, the suit centers on an Illinois consumer who bought Hello Fresh Naturally Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste in January 2023. She says she wouldn’t have paid full price, or bought it at all, had she known.
The complaint argues sorbitol and xylitol are produced through hydrogenation, a synthetic chemical process, making the “no artificial sweeteners” label misleading. In March 2025, a federal court sent the case back to Cook County, Illinois state court without ruling on whether the label was actually deceptive.
Think of it like a grocery item labeled “no preservatives” that actually contains a lab-processed stabilizer. The dispute is about the label matching the ingredient list, not about whether the ingredient is dangerous.
Key Takeaway: Two of Hello’s five lawsuits are about labeling accuracy, not physical harm, which typically means smaller potential per-person payouts if either ever settles.
Was There a Hello Toothpaste Recall?
Yes, but it’s unrelated to the current lawsuits over lead, mercury, fluoride rinse, or sweeteners.
In August 2023, Hello voluntarily recalled six lots of Hello Wild Strawberry Fluoride Toothpaste. The problem was mislabeling: some tubes were marked as Hello Fresh Watermelon Fluoride Free even though the product inside contained fluoride. The outer carton had correct labeling, but the tube itself did not.
No recall has been issued in connection with the heavy metals allegations or the fluoride rinse lawsuit. If a site claims otherwise, that claim is not supported by any official FDA notice found during our review.
Who Owns Hello Products and Why Does It Matter?
Colgate-Palmolive acquired Hello Products LLC in 2020, years after the brand launched its “naturally friendly” positioning.
That acquisition matters because both entities now appear as defendants in the newer heavy metals cases. Colgate-Palmolive is a Fortune 500 company with far deeper resources than the startup that originally built the Hello brand.
It also raises a question plaintiffs’ attorneys are pressing in court: how much did Colgate-Palmolive know about ingredient testing before or after the acquisition. That question remains unresolved in active litigation as of 2026.
What Happens Next
Late 2025 to early 2026: Discovery continues in Barton, Browne, Miller, and Flaherty, with no settlement talks confirmed publicly.
Expected mid to late 2026: Possible motions for class certification in one or more of the active heavy metals cases, though no filing date is confirmed.
TBD: Any settlement conference, mediation, or preliminary approval hearing, none of which has been scheduled in verified court records as of this writing.
TBD: If a settlement is reached, expect a notice period, a claim filing window, and a final approval hearing before any money moves, similar to the charcoal case timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hello toothpaste lawsuit a scam?
No, the underlying court cases are real and filed in federal and state courts.
Scam risk comes from third-party sites advertising claim forms for cases that have no settlement yet.
Always check the official court docket or a verified settlement administrator before submitting information anywhere.
Can I still file a claim for the Hello charcoal toothpaste settlement?
No, that claim window closed October 11, 2022.
The settlement has already been distributed to consumers who filed on time.
There is no way to reopen a missed deadline in a closed class action.
How much was the Hello charcoal toothpaste settlement worth?
The total fund was $1.5 million.
Consumers without proof of purchase could claim about $6 per product, up to five products.
With proof of purchase, claims could cover up to ten products, pro-rated by total valid claims.
Is there a current Hello toothpaste settlement I can join in 2026?
Not yet. The heavy metals, fluoride rinse, and sweetener cases remain active with no class certified.
No claim form exists because no settlement has been reached.
Watch official case dockets or a verified settlement tracker for updates.
What products are named in the Hello lead and mercury lawsuits?
The California case names Unicorn Sparkle, Smiling Shark, and Dragon Dazzle.
The New York case names Dragon Dazzle and Fresh Watermelon Fluoride Free, plus Hello-branded toothpaste broadly.
Both cases remain active with no class certified as of 2026.
Has Hello Products recalled any toothpaste over lead or mercury?
No recall has been issued tied to the current heavy metals allegations.
The only Hello recall on record involved a 2023 labeling mix-up on fluoride content.
That recall is unrelated to the pending lead and mercury litigation.
Who is the defendant in the Hello toothpaste lawsuits?
Hello Products LLC is the primary defendant across all five cases.
Colgate-Palmolive, which acquired Hello in 2020, is also named in the newer heavy metals suits.
Both entities deny wrongdoing in the active cases.
Should I hire a lawyer to join the Hello toothpaste lawsuit?
You generally don’t need your own lawyer to be part of a certified class action.
Class counsel represents the group at no direct cost if a case settles.
You can hire independent counsel if you want personal advice, but it’s your choice, not a requirement.
Check the official docket for whichever Hello case affects you before believing any specific payout number. The only confirmed money paid so far came from the closed 2022 charcoal settlement, and the next real deadline for any newer case has not been set.
