Important Update on Botao Grow Naturally Baby Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

by

Published March 25, 2025 — Tuesday

A Personal Message from Tamara Rubin:

We recently subjected the Botao Grow Naturally Baby Fluoride-Free Toothpaste (pictured above, Strawberry Flavor) to independent, third-party laboratory testing funded by our community. The results revealed a concerning presence of lead, despite the product being marketed as safe for infants and labeled as EWG Verified. The full laboratory report is included at the bottom of this article for transparency and detailed review.

As shown in the screenshot from the EWG website, the testing indicates measurable levels of lead, which is particularly troubling given the product’s target demographic of young children. Please scroll down to see the shareable social media graphic illustrating the test results and access the complete lab report. Our comparison chart for toothpaste and tooth powder products, which currently ranks this product between D and E based on lead content, will be updated shortly to reflect this new data.

Many community members expected a cleaner product—one that would test as non-detect for lead and other toxicants—especially considering its marketing, branding, and the fact that it bears the EWG Verified label. Unfortunately, these findings highlight that even products marketed as safe for children can contain unsafe levels of toxic metals. Our testing has identified five other toothpaste options that tested non-detect for lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, all marketed for children, which are listed below.

It is crucial to remember:

  • All federal health agencies agree that there is no safe level of lead exposure, especially for pregnant women and children.
  • Serving size does not mitigate the risks associated with toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury, which bioaccumulate over time.
  • Repeated use of products containing unsafe levels of toxicants—two or more times daily for years—significantly increases health risks.
  • The oral absorption pathway for toothpaste makes lead exposure especially concerning, as ingestion during brushing can lead to absorption into the bloodstream.

To review the full lab report, scroll to the end of this article. For context, visit our comprehensive comparison chart and recent articles on safer toothpaste options, which are regularly updated and help guide informed choices for families.

Important Regulatory Context

The levels of toxicants found in this toothpaste are legally permissible. Since fluoride-free toothpaste is classified by the FDA as a cosmetic product, it can contain up to 10,000 parts per billion (ppb) of lead—equivalent to 10 parts per million (ppm). The recent Washington State Toxic-Free Cosmetic Act, effective January 2025, limits lead in cosmetics to 1,000 ppb (1 ppm). Currently, these standards do not prohibit lead presence but set permissible limits.

While the product may be legal, it does not mean it is safe—especially for children and pregnant women. Our advocacy aims to prompt the FDA to consider stricter, health-protective standards based on emerging evidence from independent testing, which we report via official complaint channels.

Recommendations for Concerned Parents

If your child has been using this toothpaste or testing has shown low-level lead exposure, consider discontinuing use immediately. You may also wish to consult your healthcare provider about testing your child’s blood lead levels, as well as a comprehensive heavy metals panel to assess overall exposure.

Blood lead testing often detects only higher levels, so even low-level exposures from toothpaste can be significant over time. Blood lead levels below 3.5 micrograms per deciliter can still cause lifelong health issues, so prevention is key.

For safer alternatives, we have identified five toothpaste options that tested non-detect for heavy metals, all suitable for children. These options are listed below, and you can review the full lab reports by searching their brand names on our website.

Support and Further Resources

We encourage you to report any adverse findings to the FDA through their online complaint form. Additionally, if you wish to support our ongoing independent, crowd-funded laboratory testing efforts, please visit our GoFundMe campaigns linked here.

For more information on detox protocols and maintaining your family’s health after exposure, read our detailed article on effective and safe detox strategies—beware of ineffective or dangerous products often marketed as detox solutions.

Additional Testing Results and Safe Product Options

Below is an expanding list of foods, supplements, and cosmetics that have tested non-detect for lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic through independent laboratory analysis. The detection limits are specified in each report. To access full reports, enter the product name into our site’s search bar.

Updated March 19, 2025 — now with 61 products in total, including five bonus options!

  1. Baby Food: Little Spoon Kale, Carrot + Pear BabyBlends
  2. Baby Food: Little Spoon Butternut Squash + Blueberry BabyBlends
  3. Baby Food: Little Spoon Sweet Potato BabyBlends
  4. Baby Food: Little Spoon Sweet Potato + Carrot BabyBlends
  5. Baby Food: Little Spoon Banana + Pitaya BabyBlends
  6. Beverages: Honest Kids Organic Appley Ever After Apple Juice Drink — Buy here
  7. Beverages: Olipop Grape Tonic — Buy here
  8. Breakfast Items: Nature’s Path Envirokidz Organic Panda Puffs — Buy here
  9. Breakfast Items: One Degree Organic Gluten-Free Sprouted Rolled Oats — Buy here
  10. Candy: Lindt White Chocolate Bar (Made in USA): Buy here
  11. Candy: Cavendish & Harvey Wild Berry Drops (Germany): Buy here
  12. Coffee & Tea: Chameleon Organic Cold Brew Concentrate — Buy here
  13. Coffee & Tea: Tao of Tea Organic Genmaicha — Buy here
  14. Coffee & Tea: Califia Farms Almond Latte Cold Brew — Buy here
  15. Coffee & Tea: Death Wish Organic Espresso Roast — Buy here
  16. Coffee Creamer (Plant-Based): Laird Superfood Coconut Creamer — Buy here
  17. Coffee Creamer (Dairy): Organic Valley Grassmilk Half and Half — Buy here
  18. Dairy, Cheese: Babybel Mini Original Snack Cheese — Buy here
  19. Fruit Snacks: GoGo Squeez Organic Apple Sauce Pouch — Buy here
  20. Fruit Snacks: Kirkland Organic Apple Sauce Pouch — Buy here
  21. Fruit Snacks: Organic Layered Fruit Bars (Strawberry Banana) — Buy here
  22. Fruit Snacks: Once Upon A Farm Dairy-Free Strawberry Banana Swirl — Buy here
  23. Fruit Snacks: Organic Layered Fruit Bars (Raspberry Lemonade) — Buy here
  24. Infant Formula: Bobbie Organic Gentle Powder (Pink & White Can) — Buy here
  25. Infant Formula: Bobbie Organic Infant Powder (Green & White Can) — Buy here
  26. Infant Formula: Bobbie Grass-Fed Milk-Based Powder (Green Can) — Buy here
  27. Infant Formula: ByHeart Infant Formula — Buy here
  28. Infant Formula: HiPP Bio Combiotik Stage 1 — (Imported): Link not available on Amazon”
  29. Infant Formula: HiPP HA Stage PRE (0+ Months) — (Imported): Link not available on Amazon”
  30. Infant Formula: Holle Bio Goat Stage 2 (6-10 months, European):
  31. Infant Formula: Kendamil Goat Infant Formula (Non-organic):
  32. Infant Formula: Kendamil Organic Follow-On Milk (European, Cow Milk):
  33. Infant Formula: Kendamil Whole Milk Infant Formula (European):
  34. Ingredient: Jacobsen’s Oregon Sea Salt — Buy here
  35. Ingredient: Jovial Organic Einkorn Flour — Buy here
  36. Ingredient: Costco Organic Hemp Seeds — Buy here
  37. Ingredient: Navitas Organic Chia Seeds — Buy here
  38. Vinegar: Napa Valley Naturals Organic Red Wine Vinegar — Buy here
  39. Beans: Jovial Organic Chickpeas — Buy here
  40. Oil: Chosen Foods 100% Avocado Oil — Buy here
  41. Oil: Dr. Adorable Organic Perilla Seed Oil — Buy here
  42. Oil: Dr. Bronner’s Organic Coconut Oil — Buy here
  43. Plant-Based Milk: Kiki Milk Organic — Buy here
  44. Plant-Based Milk: West Soy Organic Unsweetened — Buy here
  45. Supplements: Baby Ddrops Vitamin D3 — Buy here
  46. Supplements: Doctor’s Best Vitamin C — Buy here
  47. Supplements: Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Fish Oil — Buy here
  48. Supplements: Mary Ruth’s Toddler Multivitamin Liquid — Buy here
  49. Supplements: Pendulum Metabolic Daily — Buy here
  50. Cosmetics: Kora Organics Noni Face Oil — Buy here
  51. Toothpaste (Fluoride-Free): Orajel Kids Training in Natural Berry Fruity — Buy here
  52. Toothpaste (Fluoride-Free): Miessence Mint Toothpaste — Buy here
  53. Toothpaste (Fluoride-Free): Dr. Brown’s in Strawberry Flavor — Buy here
  54. Low-Fluoride Toothpaste: Pegciz Kids Watermelon Foam — Buy here
  55. Tooth Gel: Kid’s Spry Tooth Gel with Xylitol — Buy here

For the full set of lab reports on all tested foods, supplements, and cosmetics, visit: https://tamararubin.com/2024/05/food-articles/

Additional Safe Product List and Bonus Findings

Our ongoing independent testing has identified five more products that contain trace levels of arsenic, considered safe by current standards, with detection limits specified in each report:

  1. Kendamil Goat Toddler Milk (Non-organic) — traces of arsenic; available at Target or European retailers
  2. That’s It Apple Cherry Bars — traces of arsenic; available on Amazon
  3. Chosen Foods Organic Avocado Oil — traces of arsenic; available on Amazon
  4. Now Sunflower Lecithin — traces of arsenic; available on Amazon
  5. WishGarden Immune Boost Seasonal Rescue — traces of arsenic; available on Amazon

Note: All Amazon links are affiliate links. Purchases made through these links support our work at no extra cost to you.

Lab Report Access and Community Advocacy

To review the detailed lab report for the featured toothpaste and other tested products, search their brand names on our website. Our goal is to continue raising awareness, advocate for stricter regulations, and support families in making safer choices through transparent, science-based testing data.

Support our mission by reporting concerns to the FDA and contributing to our community-funded testing initiatives on GoFundMe. Your support helps us expand independent testing and advocate for safer consumer products for children and families everywhere.

About Tamara Rubin

For those unfamiliar, Tamara Rubin is a renowned advocate for childhood lead poisoning prevention, a documentary filmmaker, and a mother whose own children suffered from acute lead poisoning in 2005. Through Lead Safe Mama, LLC, she has led efforts resulting in multiple product recalls and continues to champion consumer safety and public health.

  • Lead Safe Mama, LLC is a woman-owned small business dedicated to community collaboration for lead prevention and consumer goods safety.
  • Since July 2022, our work has contributed to six product recalls by federal agencies.
  • All our testing results are scientifically validated, accurate, and reproducible.
  • Visit our press page for media coverage and more information about our impact.

This article is ad-free.

We rely on affiliate links and community support to fund our independent testing and advocacy efforts. To contribute or start shopping through our links, visit our support page. Thank you for helping us promote safer products for children and families.

Leave a Comment