Listerine PocketPaks, Oral Care Strips, Fresh Burst (2006 formulation) || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

LISTERINE POCKETPAKS, ORAL CARE STRIPS, FRESH BURST (2006 FORMULATION)

last updated: 05/01/06 brand: Listerine by Pfizer

SCORE

moderate hazard (out of 10)

82%

data gap

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75% of breath fresheners have lower concerns

COMPANY POLICIES

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
Non-signer: This company has not signed the Compact.

Animal Testing Policy
This company conducts animal tests.

Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to one or more ingredients in this product -- not the product itself -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

Ingredients in this product are linked to:
	Cancer
	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
	Violations, restrictions & warnings
	Allergies/immunotoxicity
	Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Ingredients from packaging: FRESHBURST : PULLULAN, MENTHOL, FLAVORS, ASPARTAME, POTASSIUM ACESULFAME, COPPER GLUCONATE, POLYSORBATE 80, CARRAGEENAN, GLYCERYL OLEATE, THYMOL, EUCALYPTOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, LOCUST BEAN GUM, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, XANTHAN GUM, FD&C GREEN NO. 3, FD&C YELLOW NO. 6. PHENYLKETONURICS : CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE .

Directions from packaging: + First remove one Oral Care Strip from the convenient carrying case. + Then place the Oral Care Strip on your tongue and let it dissolve. Use one Oral Care Strip as needed.

Warnings from packaging: The carrying case may present a choking hazard Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine

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ingredients

	score	data gap	concerns
THYMOL	6	63%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards
UNSPECIFIED FLAVOR FLAVORS	4	100%	Miscellaneous
FD&C GREEN 3 FD&C GREEN NO. 3	1	73%	none identified
METHYL SALICYLATE	4	71%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
FD&C YELLOW 6 FD&C YELLOW NO. 6	1	70%	none identified
PROPYLENE GLYCOL	4	60%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption
MENTHOL	3	85%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources
CARRAGEENAN	2	75%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (DEGRADED CARRAGEENAN), Biochemical or cellular level changes
COPPER GLUCONATE	1	89%	Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
POLYSORBATE-80	2	80%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
EUCALYPTOL	2	79%	none identified
PULLULAN	1	97%	none identified
GLYCERYL OLEATE	1	90%	none identified
PHENYLALANINE	1	89%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
CERATONIA SILIQUA (CAROB) GUM LOCUST BEAN GUM	1	85%	none identified
ASPARTAME	1	82%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
POTASSIUM ACESULFAME	0	94%	none identified
XANTHAN GUM	0	94%	none identified

Cancer*

*This table includes all possible cancer concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses		CERATONIA SILIQUA (CAROB) GUM
One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results		PULLULAN, METHYL SALICYLATE
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		THYMOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, POLYSORBATE-80, MENTHOL, EUCALYPTOL, ASPARTAME
Not likely to be carcinogenic in humans		CARRAGEENAN
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen		FD&C YELLOW 6, FD&C GREEN 3

Developmental/reproductive toxicity*

*This table includes all possible developmental/reproductive toxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		THYMOL
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses		ASPARTAME, EUCALYPTOL, FD&C YELLOW 6
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity		METHYL SALICYLATE
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at very low doses		POLYSORBATE-80

Violations, restrictions & warnings*

*This table includes all possible violations, restrictions & warnings concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications		THYMOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, METHYL SALICYLATE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics		METHYL SALICYLATE, THYMOL

Neurotoxicity*

*This table includes all possible neurotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses		PROPYLENE GLYCOL, POLYSORBATE-80, ASPARTAME, FD&C YELLOW 6
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		METHYL SALICYLATE, MENTHOL, CARRAGEENAN, EUCALYPTOL
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses		THYMOL

Endocrine disruption*

*This table includes all possible endocrine disruption concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses		EUCALYPTOL
One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at moderate doses		THYMOL

Allergies/immunotoxicity*

*This table includes all possible allergies/immunotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity		PROPYLENE GLYCOL

Persistence and bioaccumulation*

*This table includes all possible persistence and bioaccumulation concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife		COPPER GLUCONATE

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)*

*This table includes all possible organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		FD&C YELLOW 6, ASPARTAME, CERATONIA SILIQUA (CAROB) GUM
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)	products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips	PROPYLENE GLYCOL, POLYSORBATE-80, GLYCERYL OLEATE
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		EUCALYPTOL
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses	products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips	METHYL SALICYLATE
Limited evidence of kidney toxicity		COPPER GLUCONATE
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at low doses		THYMOL
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses	products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips	MENTHOL
One or more animal studies show blood effects at very low doses		CARRAGEENAN
Limited evidence of any toxicity		PHENYLALANINE

Miscellaneous*

*This table includes all possible miscellaneous concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown		UNSPECIFIED FLAVOR
Occupational hazards related to handling		THYMOL

Multiple, additive exposure sources*

*This table includes all possible multiple, additive exposure sources concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food		PROPYLENE GLYCOL, THYMOL, XANTHAN GUM, PHENYLALANINE, POLYSORBATE-80, POTASSIUM ACESULFAME, METHYL SALICYLATE, MENTHOL, GLYCERYL OLEATE, CERATONIA SILIQUA (CAROB) GUM, COPPER GLUCONATE, EUCALYPTOL, FD&C GREEN 3, FD&C YELLOW 6
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available		MENTHOL
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food		ASPARTAME, CARRAGEENAN

Ecotoxicology*

*This table includes all possible ecotoxicology concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity		THYMOL

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)*

*This table includes all possible irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Classified as skin irritant		PROPYLENE GLYCOL
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses		METHYL SALICYLATE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		ASPARTAME
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses		GLYCERYL OLEATE, MENTHOL, THYMOL

Data gaps*

*This table includes all possible data gaps concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Safety assessment was based on related chemical		PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review		THYMOL
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product		POLYSORBATE-80, GLYCERYL OLEATE
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		XANTHAN GUM, UNSPECIFIED FLAVOR, PULLULAN, POTASSIUM ACESULFAME, PHENYLALANINE, ASPARTAME, CARRAGEENAN, MENTHOL, EUCALYPTOL, COPPER GLUCONATE, CERATONIA SILIQUA (CAROB) GUM

Occupational hazards*

*This table includes all possible occupational hazards concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		THYMOL

Biochemical or cellular level changes*

*This table includes all possible biochemical or cellular level changes concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show blood sugar changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		PROPYLENE GLYCOL
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at moderate doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		METHYL SALICYLATE, EUCALYPTOL
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		CARRAGEENAN