Frequently Asked Questions
FAQS
Does Red Seal test on animals?
We can assure you there is no animal testing with any Red Seal products, and we have never conducted any testing on animals. Our quality control team, along with our technical team perform numerous tests to ensure our products are safe and suitable for consumer use without the need to test on animals.
What are the marks on Red Seal toothpaste tubes?
These little squares are a clever piece of code for our packing machines! They're called “eye marks”, and are used in the packaging process, letting machines know when to perform certain tasks such as cutting or crimping tubes. There are two things that determine the colour of these squares.
1. They need to have good contrast against the background colour.
and
2. They need to use one of the colours already present on the packs.
At Red Seal we use a dark grey for the eye marks – the same dark grey used for pack copy – as we know it offers a good contrast against white background.
Are Red Seal toothpaste tubes recyclable?
At Red Seal, we're committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our practices for both our customers and the planet. While our current toothpaste tubes are not recyclable, we are excited to share that we're in the final stages of validating a recyclable material for our tubes. The challenge lies in making sure our potent ingredients, such as our essential oils don't interact adversely with the plastic.
We aim to implement this new packaging starting in 2025. We know this change is important, and our team are working diligently to deliver a tube that is more sustainable and ensures the integrity of your Red Seal toothpaste.
Are Red Seal toothpaste lids recyclable?
For NZ:
Red Seal toothpaste lids are made of polypropylene, a material that is readily recyclable. However, recent changes in kerbside recycling legislation in New Zealand mean that lids are no longer accepted in kerbside recycling.
There is an industry-led initiative working on a Cap and Lid Collection and Recycling scheme. If this scheme proves effective, we will support it. In addition to this, we are in the process of trialling an alternative tube material, which if successful will be able to be recycled via the soft plastics recycling scheme, with lids remaining attached when returned with tubes. We hope to start rolling out this change during 2025.
For AU:
We are currently trialling recyclable tubes. Once available, the caps will be able to be combined with the tubes and be kerbside recyclable. We are committed to making these improvements and appreciate your support as we work towards more sustainable solutions.
What about Terracycle?
Unfortunately our tubes cannot be currently kerbside recycled in Australia or New Zealand as they are made from different layers of plastic and aluminium to maintain the freshness and integrity of our toothpaste. This multi-material design means they cannot be kerbside recycled. Our tubes cannot be recycled through Terracycle either, as we are not a member of this programme. But we're we are excited to share that we're in the final stages of validating a recyclable material for our tubes. The challenge lies in making sure our potent ingredients, such as our essential oils don't interact adversely with the plastic.
We aim to implement this new packaging starting in 2025. We know this change is important, and our team are working diligently to deliver a tube that is more sustainable and ensures the integrity of your Red Seal toothpaste.
Does Red Seal toothpaste contain palm oil?
All our NATRUE certified ranges in Australia and New Zealand are made with non-palm oil based ingredients.
Is there Aluminium in Red Seal toothpastes?
Here at Red Seal we developed our toothpaste 30 years ago to offer a great-tasting more natural options for our customers. We continuously research and explore new, safer natural ingredients to enhance our products - over the years our formulas have evolved to include calcium-based ingredients, essential oils, and herbal extracts.
Magnesium Aluminium Silicate was used in most of our formulations however it has been removed and is no longer present in any of our new NATRUE certified ranges in Australia and New Zealand.
Why does Red Seal have fluoride toothpastes now?
As a 100+ year old brand, we're always looking for new ways to innovate and extend our product range by listening to our customers. We still offer a wide range of fluoride-free products (and always will!), but we're also giving consumers more choice. We understand that some people prefer herbal and mineral toothpaste with fluoride for its benefits in strengthening teeth and preventing decay, while others choose fluoride-free options for their oral hygiene. That’s why we offer both so you can choose whichever suits your needs.
What toothpastes contain fluoride?
We currently offer three toothpastes with fluoride: Complete Care Fluoride, Kids Fluoride Berry Bubblicious, and Whitening Fluoride. Each is designed to provide the benefits of fluoride, helping to strengthen teeth and protect against decay.
Can my child swallow Red Seal toothpaste?
Our Kids Tuttifrutti toothpaste is made with natural ingredients and is certified to the NATRUE true standard, making it safe if swallowed by children. We understand that young children may take some time to learn how to spit out toothpaste, so we ensure our products are safe for them, we still recommend adult supervision to encourage spitting to get in the habit.
Once they’re cabably spitting out their toothpaste, they can start using Red Seal Kids Fluoride Berry Bubblicious, which is also made with ingredients certified natural to the NATRUE standard. Always follow the instructions on the toothpaste packaging and use products specifically designed for children to ensure their safety. Also check the ingredient list to make sure your child isn’t sensitive to any of the ingredients. Discontinue use if there are signs of irritation.
Are Red Seal toothpastes vegan or vegetarian?
All Red Seal toothpastes are suitable for vegetarians.
If you are vegan you may not want to use our Propolis toothpaste as it contains Propolis which is product made by bees.
The following toothpastes are all certified by the Vegan Society:
Red Seal Kids Tutti Frutti (Natrue Certifed) 70g
Red Seal Kids with Fluoride Berry Bubblicious (Natrue Certifed) 70g
Red Seal Whitening Brilliant Mint (Natrue Certifed) 100g
Red Seal Whitening with Fluoride Brilliant Mint (Natrue Certifed) 100g
Red Seal Complete Care Mild Mint (Natrue Certifed) 100g
Red Seal Complete Care with Fluoride Mild Mint (Natrue Certifed) 100g
Red Seal Baking Soda Fresh Mint (Natrue Certifed) 100g
Red Seal Lemon Mint-Free (Natrue Certifed) 100g
Red Seal Herbal (Natrue Certifed) 100g
Red Seal Strong Mint (Natrue Certifed) 100g
Are Red Seal toothpastes gluten-free?
All Red Seal toothpastes are gluten-free. We ensure this by testing our products and checking food allergen statements from all our raw material suppliers. Your safety and peace of mind are important to us.
Are your toothpastes tested for heavy metals?
Red Seal toothpaste products are routinely tested for heavy metals to ensure safety and compliance. The results for Red Seal Toothpaste range are as follows:
• Arsenic: < 0.1 ppm
• Cadmium: < 0.01 ppm
• Mercury: < 0.01 ppm
• Lead: < 0.1 ppm
These levels are well within the legislative requirements for quality and safety. Red Seal is committed to maintaining the highest standards in product quality and consumer safety.
What do you mean by the term 'aroma' in your toothpaste? Is it natural?
The lemon flavour used in this product is a proprietary natural blend that meets the strict criteria of the NATRUE certification, which ensures that all components are derived from natural sources and processed without synthetic additives.
As the specific composition and extraction process are part of our confidential formulation, we’re unable to share detailed ingredient breakdowns or manufacturing methods. However, we can assure you that the flavour is crafted in line with the NATRUE internationally recognised natural standard, with a strong focus on safety, quality, and transparency.
Why does your packaging say 'avoid swallowing'?
For toothpastes that contain fluoride: This is in accordance with our directions of use to ensure proper use of the product. It's important to use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and to spit it out after brushing. This ensures that you get the dental benefits of fluoride without the risks associated with ingestion. Swallowing a small amount is generally safe. However, consuming too much may lead to an upset stomach due to increased fluoride levels in your blood supply.
For toothpastes that are fluoride-free: While our fluoride-free toothpaste is safe for brushing, and contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and no parabens it contains ingredients that are not intended for ingestion. For best results, please use as directed and avoid swallowing.
Have you changed the formulations of Red Seal toothpastes?
Yes we have made some small but important improvements to the ingredients of some of our toothpastes.
Changing these toothpastes isn’t a decision we took lightly, but incredible inside is our non-negotiable and we believe it was a necessary step forward for our range to raise the benchmark on our ingredients and deliver you the best toothpaste we can.
The new formulations are designed to taste and feel as similar as possible to the formulations they replace. For our most astute daily users, there may be some small discernible differences, but rest assured the oral health benefits and function of each remains unchanged. As part of these changes, we’ve taken transparency to the next level with these toothpastes now being certified natural to NATRUE standards. To learn more about NATRUE visit www.natrue.org
Does your Whitening toothpaste actually whiten teeth? How does it work?
Our Whitening Brilliant Mint Toothpaste is designed to enhance teeth whiteness. Our clinical study showed it visibly enhanced whiteness of teeth by up to 3.5 shades in three weeks, with regular brushing. Of course, individual results may vary.
The primary whitening ingredient is an abrasive silica that helps remove stains.
You can find out more here: www.redseal.global/nz/whitening-toothpaste-clinical-study/
What is NATRUE?
NATRUE is an international, not-for-profit association dedicated to protecting consumers and supporting manufacturers of natural and organic cosmetics. A NATRUE badge is a trusted mark, indicating that the product and brand are committed to natural and organic practices. In the case of Red Seal, our toothpastes are certified natural to the NATRUE standard. To learn more about natural certification, visit www.natrue.org.
What product do you recommend for dentures?
Please consult with your denture provider or dental healthcare practitioner to find the product best suited to your needs.
Are the sparkles in Red Seal Kids toothpaste natural?
Yes, the sparkles in our Kids toothpastes are completely natural! We use mica, a naturally occurring mineral, to create the fun, sparkly look. It's safe and makes brushing a bit more magical for kids.
What is SLS and is it in Red Seal toothpastes?
SLS has been removed from our NATRUE Certified toothpastes. Look for the NATRUE logo on the back of the pack to be sure.
SLS is considered safe when used as recommended and historically, SLS was used in our toothpaste formulations when there were limited ingredient options for creating effective products. However, as we've advanced our formulations with developing technology, ingredients and knowledge, we were able to phase out SLS from all Red Seal toothpastes in New Zealand and Australia.
What is RDA?
RDA stands for “Relative Dentin Abrasivity,” and it measures how abrasive a toothpaste is on a scale of 0 to 250. A higher RDA value indicates a more abrasive toothpaste. While some abrasiveness can help remove surface stains and plaque, excessive abrasion can damage your tooth enamel. RDA helps us ensure that our toothpaste effectively cleans while remaining gentle on your enamel.
Are you able to tell me the RDA (abrasivity Scale) of Red Seal toothpaste?
Red Seal adult toothpastes have an RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasivity) range between approximately 100-150, which means they're safe to use and well below harmful levels. While only our Kids toothpastes fall under an RDA of <70, all Red Seal Toothpastes fall within the recommended safe range.
If you have any questions about using Red Seal toothpaste, ask your dentist for a specific product recommendation right for you.
Does Red Seal toothpaste contain sweetener?
Stevia is the sweetener used in all of our NATRUE Certified toothpastes to give them a balanced taste that's pleasant to brush with.
Our NATRUE formulations also include Xylitol which aids in sweetening whilst inhibiting cavity-causing bacteria. Its ability to neutralize pH levels and inhibit bacterial growth supports oral health while providing a pleasant taste.
What age can you give kids toothpaste to brush their teeth with?
We always recommend adult supervision when children are brushing their teeth.
Generally, brushing with water is sufficient for children under 1 years of age, then moving onto a fluoride-free child's toothpaste after their first year. However, as every child’s development phase differs, we recommend you seek the advice from your local Dentist or GP for personalised advice.
We recommend only a tiny dot of toothpaste as when children are young they may not be able to spit it out properly.
Always check the ingredient list to make sure your child isn’t sensitive to any of the ingredients. Discontinue use if there are signs of irritation.
Are Red Seal toothpastes dairy-free and/or soy-free?
Red Seal toothpastes do not contain any dairy products. In fact, many of our toothpastes are certified vegan. The only exceptions are our Propolis and Propolis Mint toothpastes, which contain propolis and are therefore not considered vegan.
There may be some soy present in some toothpastes as the glycerin we use can be derived from either soy or rapeseed.