What Does the Color Code on Toothpaste Mean?

While buying a toothpaste, have you ever paid attention to the little colored squares at the back of the tube and wondered what these shades mean? Well, you are not the only one. Some have created multiple myths around the color codes, while others believe that manufacturers have told them about the strength of the toothpaste.

So, what is true, and why are these colors present on the toothpaste? Curious to know? Then, let’s unveil the truth to see what it actually means.

It’s Not Displaying Ingredients

Many people say that the colored squares simply tell the ingredients of your toothpaste. Like, different tones represent the usage of “natural,” “chemical,” or “medicinal” ingredients. For instance, a green square can be understood as the teeth cleaning agent is “all natural.” While the red or black square might hint that harmful chemicals were also used in the making of this toothpaste.

However, in reality, this has nothing to do with describing the components. According to Healthline, the colored rectangles are simply a mark made during the manufacturing process. Rest, be relaxed that the colors don’t convey whether the necessity is made with herbs or carries a formula of synthetic compounds. The list of ingredients printed on the packaging acts as the source that you can rely on for understanding what the paste contains.

What Is The Real Purpose?

Yes, we know that you are eager to learn if not the ingredients, then what is it actually informing us about? You will find it amusing that the colored squares are a guide for the machinery involved in the production of the cleaning resource. These are also known as registration or eye marks, fulfilling a completely technical purpose during the production of the toothpaste and its various stages of filling.

Certainly, it becomes difficult to see where the tube needs to be cut and sealed. Therefore, these colored symbols are like visual cues for the automatic machines in the production, because when the empty toothpaste tubes move along the conveyor belt, the sensors detect the marks. As a result, the machine gets to know where it has to cut the tube, which point needs to be sealed, and is sent ahead for proper filling and packaging.

Why Different Colors?

Now the question arises, why are different colours required? For instance, you might have come across red, blue, green, orange, or other shades as well. Again, the particular color is not there to tell you what's inside the tube, but colors are chosen according to the toothpaste packaging and whatever provides the best contrast. Because then only the conveyor belt’s sensors will be able to detect and do their job of cutting, sealing, and packaging. Hence, a dark mark would be preferred to use on a light colored tube and a different mark on a darker tube. The selection of color is simply to make sure that the automatic equipment is able to read easily.

Conclusion

We hope the mystery has finally been resolved, and now the next time you purchase a toothpaste, you will know for whom these colored rectangles are present.