Consumer Safety Alert RE: Spinbrush Powered Toothbrushes

TORONTO, March 2, 2012 /CNW/ - Following a recent Health Canada safety notice regarding Spinbrush battery-powered toothbrushes, maker Church & Dwight is urging Canadian users to inspect their Spinbrushes before use and to ensure that they are replacing the brush heads every three months as recommended.

Consumer safety and the responsible and safe use of our oral care products is our top priority, and we have been working closely with Health Canada to keep Canadian consumers updated.

There has been a small number of adverse events involving Spinbrushes resulting in minor injuries reported in the U.S.  However, with nearly 5 million Spinbrush toothbrushes sold in Canada during the past three years, Health Canada has received only one such report and it did not involve an injury.

Nonetheless, consumers who use our Spinbrush products need to know how to use them safely and when to replace them, which is why we implemented color-wear bristles on Spinbrush toothbrushes to serve as a visual reminder to consumers to change their brush heads every three months.

We have also added prominent safety language to the product labeling to provide additional consumer education:

• Consumers should replace their brush heads after 3 months of use, or if brushes are damaged, or if parts become loose.
• As with all battery powered toothbrushes, extended usage, loose parts or excessive wear could lead to brush head breakage, generation of small parts and possible choking hazard.
• Consumers should inspect brushes for loose parts before use.

Church & Dwight takes consumer safety very seriously, and we have investigated and followed-up on all consumer reports received related to Spinbrush products.  We maintain that, when used appropriately, Spinbrush toothbrushes are safe products.  We will continue to educate consumers about responsible and safe use of battery-powered toothbrushes.

Veronique Hamel - Director, Marketing and Development
Church And Dwight Canada
[email protected]