You may have already noticed these small colored squares at the bottom of the toothpaste tubes and heard that they reveal the composition of the product. There are rumours that these colours indicate whether toothpaste contains natural ingredients or chemicals. But what is the real situation? Let us decipher this received idea together and discover the true function of these marks.
The myth of revealing colors
Much relayed information on social networks claims that the colour of the marking at the bottom of the toothpaste tubes would indicate the nature of the ingredients:
Green – 100% natural
Blue – mixture of natural and medicinal products
Red – combination of natural and chemical components
Black – all-chemical
Although this explanation may seem credible at first glance, it is totally false. It is a modern myth that has been circulating for years, sowing in health-conscious consumers.
The true usefulness of colour marks
In fact, these small colored bands have absolutely nothing to do with the composition of the toothpaste. They are simply technical benchmarks used in the manufacturing process. These “search eyes”, as they are called in industrial jargon, allow machines to:
Detect the cutting areas, in order to cut the tube accurately.
Properly weld the parts of the tube, thus ensuring a hermetic closure.
Align the printing to ensure a well-positioned packaging.
The colours are chosen as a function of contrast with the packaging, so that the sensors of the machines can easily identify the marks. The choice of colour depends only on the manufacturer’s requirements and production requirements.
Conclusion
Coloured squares on toothpaste tubes are only technical benchmarks, not quality or compositional indicators. In order to make an informed choice, it is essential to rely on the information provided by the manufacturer and not on unfounded rumours.
The next time you see these little colorful brands, you’ll know that they’re only there to help the machines … and not to decipher the content of your toothpaste.