Microplastics in 26 toothpastes face High Court challenge

A public interest petition has been filed with the High Court asking for an official investigation into microplastics found in commercial toothpastes sold across Bangladesh.

Supreme Court lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun filed the legal petition on Monday, 27 July, following a study that found tiny plastic particles in 26 out of 34 tested toothpaste samples. The petition asks key government departments—including the Health Ministry, Environment Ministry, Commerce Ministry, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), and the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate—to take action.

The study, titled ‘Microplastics in Toothpaste: Scientific Evidence for Policy and Regulatory Action in Bangladesh’, was published on Sunday, 26 July, by the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO). Conducted between July 2025 and June 2026, the study tested 34 samples from 19 brands made in Bangladesh, India, Thailand, and Vietnam at Jahangirnagar University.

According to ESDO Research Associate Fayzun Nahar, microplastics were found in 76.5 per cent of the tested samples, ranging from 20 to 320 plastic pieces per 100 grams. Out of 25 Bangladeshi-made toothpastes, 22 contained microplastics. They were also found in one Indian sample, one Thai sample, and both samples tested from Vietnam.

The highest amount of microplastics was found in Mediplus Fluoride Gel, which contained 320 particles per 100 grams. Survey data showed that the product was the most popular brand among participants, used by 35.6 per cent of people surveyed.

Other common brands also contained microplastics. Close Up Red Hot and Close Up Menthol Fresh both had 160 particles per 100 grams. Signal Green Tea had 120, while Pepsodent Advance Salt and Himalaya Complete Care each had 100 particles per 100 grams. Sensodyne Fresh Mint showed 80 particles per 100 grams.

Several other products contained 60 particles per 100 grams, including Pepsodent Sensitive Expert, White Plus Red, White Plus Pro Sensitive Gel, Signal Whitening, and Mediplus TGP Formula. Meanwhile, AM.PM. Herbal, Mediplus DS, Pepsodent Germicheck, Magic Herbal, Meswak, and Close Up Menthol Fresh Sachet had 40 particles per 100 grams each. Lower amounts of 20 particles per 100 grams were found in Dentin Gel, Close Up Lemon Sea Salt, Brush Up Whitening Gel, and White Plus Pro Sensitive.

The findings also raised health concerns for children, as four out of six children’s toothpastes tested positive for microplastics. These included Kodomo Ultra Shield Formula Strawberry (140 particles per 100 grams), Meril Baby Strawberry (60 particles), Meril Baby Orange (40 particles), and Pepsodent Kids Orange (20 particles per 100 grams).

On the other hand, eight toothpastes showed no microplastics at all. These included Parodontax Expert Gum Care, Jenfresh, Sensodyne Fresh Gel, Colgate MaxFresh, Close Up Red Hot Zinc Fresh Technology, Kodomo Orange, Colgate Active Salt, and Parachute Just for Baby Mango.

ESDO researchers stressed that microplastics should never be used in toothpastes because they can harm human health and the environment. The High Court petition asks the government to set strict safety standards, check products regularly, and remove unsafe toothpastes from shop shelves.

Summary of Microplastic Findings in Toothpastes