Who Owns Pepsodent?

Pepsodent is part of Unilever's initiative to convert its entire global toothpaste portfolio to recyclable tubes. The new tubes use high-density polyethylene (HDPE), one of the most widely recycled plastics globally, replacing traditional aluminum-laminated tubes that are difficult to recycle. Unilever developed this technology over four years and has shared it with other manufacturers to accelerate industry-wide adoption. The conversion addresses the environmental challenge of billions of toothpaste tubes entering landfills annually.

Pepsodent benefits from Unilever's manufacturing sustainability programs, which include water conservation, energy efficiency improvements, and renewable energy adoption across production facilities. Unilever has committed to achieving net zero emissions across its operations by 2039.

The brand's Brush Day and Night school-based oral health education programs have reached millions of children globally. Unilever Nigeria's Pepsodent programs alone have reached over 2 million children in nearly 5,000 schools, promoting proper oral hygiene practices in developing markets where dental care access is limited.

Unilever maintains supply chain responsibility programs covering ethical sourcing, fair labor practices, and environmental standards. The company works with suppliers who meet its Responsible Sourcing Policy requirements. Pepsodent's ingredient sourcing follows these standards, with formulations prioritizing fluoride for cavity prevention.

Pepsodent's Brush Day and Night campaigns have been recognized by public health organizations and dental associations for promoting oral hygiene among children in developing markets. The program has been cited as a model for corporate-sponsored public health education.

Pepsodent's participation in Unilever's recyclable HDPE tube initiative has been highlighted by packaging industry publications including Plastics Today and Packaging World as a breakthrough in sustainable oral care packaging. The technology sharing with competitors has been acknowledged as a leadership move in addressing plastic waste.

In India, Pepsodent's rise in the Brand Trust Report from 201st position in 2013 to 71st position in 2014 was noted by Trust Research Advisory as one of the fastest trust-building improvements for a consumer brand in the Indian market.

In 2025, a class action lawsuit alleged that several toothpaste brands contained elevated levels of heavy metals including lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. While the lawsuit primarily targeted other brands, the investigation raised concerns about heavy metal contamination across the toothpaste industry. The Guardian published an investigation in April 2025 examining lead and heavy metal content in toothpaste, prompting calls for stricter testing and regulation.

In India, Colgate-Palmolive brought legal action against Hindustan Unilever (HUL) over Pepsodent advertising claims. The Delhi High Court denied Colgate's request for an interim injunction against HUL, allowing Pepsodent's comparative advertising to continue. The case highlighted the competitive intensity of the Indian oral care market.

Pepsodent has faced criticism regarding formulation efficacy compared to newer toothpaste brands offering specialized features like sensitivity protection, tartar control, and whitening. The brand's focus on basic cavity prevention is perceived as less innovative than competitors with advanced formulations.

Prior to Unilever's recyclable tube initiative, Pepsodent contributed to the environmental problem of non-recyclable toothpaste tubes in landfills. The brand's historical use of aluminum-laminated tubes created environmental impact that persists in reputation among environmentally conscious consumers, though the current recyclable packaging adoption addresses this concern going forward.