Mumbai: FMCG major Unilever on Saturday said it will introduce a mouthwash formulation, Pepsodent Germicheck Mouth Rinse Liquid, that kills 99.9 per cent of coronavirus after 30 seconds of rinsing.
“Unilever has confirmed that preliminary lab test results show that mouthwash formulation containing CPC Technology reduces 99.9 per cent of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, after 30 seconds of rinsing,” the company said in a statement.
The virus spreads through saliva and droplets from the mouth and nose. “Therefore, reducing the viral load in the mouth could help to reduce transmission. The findings indicate that mouthwash could become an important addition to other everyday protective measures like handwashing, physical distancing and mask wearing,” it added.
Unilever has clarified that this is not a cure or “proven way to prevent the transmission of coronavirus, but our results are promising.”
Pepsodent Germicheck Mouth Rinse Liquid will be launched in India in December 2020, the company said.
The main ingredient CPC (cetylpyridinium chloride) is known for its anti-viral properties and is used in the dental industry.
The company was careful to note that, “The tests do not suggest that the formulation is a treatment for COVID-19, nor a guarantee that it will prevent transmission on its own”.
