Posted on 06/18/2007 9:47:45 AM PDT by Milwaukee_Guy
Introduction: FDA has found a poisonous chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG), in certain toothpastes imported from China. The agency increased its scrutiny and testing of imported toothpaste and dental products after receiving reports in late May 2007 of contaminated Chinese dental products found in several countries, including Panama.
Q: Why are consumers being warned about toothpaste?
FDA is strongly warning consumers to avoid using any toothpaste labeled as made in China because we have found levels as high as 3-4% of a poisonous chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG), in Chinese toothpaste.
Q: What is diethylene glycol, or DEG?
Diethylene glycol (DEG), also known as "diglycol" is a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze and as a solvent. It does not belong in toothpaste even at small concentrations.
The agency is warning consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China and, through an import alert, is stopping all suspect toothpaste from entering the United States.
FDA continues to investigate this problem and will take further action, as appropriate, to address this important public safety issue.
List of Toothpaste Products FDA has identified the following brands of toothpaste from China that have been found to contain a poisonous chemical called diethylene glycol (DEG). The products typically are sold at low-cost, "bargain" retail outlets.
Manufacturer: Goldcredit International Enterprises LTD Products: (MainStar America, Selective Imports, Donnamax)
Dr. Cool Coolmint Superdent Coolmint Cooldent Coolmint Cooldent Spearmint Cooldent Fluoride Everfresh Assortment BrightMax DentaPro Dentakleen Dentakleen Junior Brand - Strawberry Dentakleen Junior Brand - Blueberry
Manufacturer: Gold Credit International Trading Co LTD Products:
Bright Max Peppermint Flavor Clean Rite Toothpaste Clean Rite Toothpaste Kit Oralmax Extreme Action Kit Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor DentaKleen DentaKleen Junior DentaPro Manufacturer: Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Co. Ltd. Product: (Gold City Enterprises/New Star, Miami, FL)
ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste ShiRFresh Toothpaste ShiRFresh Mint ShiRFresh Ice Mint Manufacturer Shanghai Light Industrial Products: Freshh Spearmint (Following up with Mandalay International, Ogden, UT)
MFR Unknown: Crescent Toothpaste (Dollar Ocean #4, Wheaton, MD and H&Y Trading Co, Capitol Heights, MD) Naturabella nino Dusanzo (Certejenas Inc., Cidra, PR)
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FDA has identified the following counterfeit products:
Manufacturer: Unknown
counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged as "Colgate," manufactured in South Africa counterfeit tooth gel falsely packaged as "Colgate," manufactured in South Africa (may not contain DEG)
Also all non-US manufactured toothpaste is to be considered suspect and either containing anti-freeze or being a flat out counterfiet of unknown and dubious content.
If it is not made in the USA don't buy it and if it is in your home THROW IT OUT!
China recall Ping!
News Updates
Update: MainStar America initiated a nationwide recall of toothpaste made in China. The recall was initiated because the products may contain the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol. Consumers who have one of the recalled products should stop using the product, return the product to the store where it was purchased, or throw the product away. See the Firm’s press release for a list of product lot numbers associated with this recall. (June 15, 2007)
Update: The Colgate-Palmolive Company warned that counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged as “Colgate” has been found in several dollar-type discount stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. There are indications that the product does not contain fluoride and may contain diethylene glycol. Consumers who suspect they may have purchased a counterfeit product can call Colgate’s toll-free number 1-800-468-6502. Press Release — Counterfeit Colgate Toothpaste Found (June 14, 2007)
Update: MS USA Inc. of North Bergen, New Jersey initiated a recall of counterfeit Colgate toothpaste that FDA has determined is contaminated with DEG. Press Release — Firm Recall (June 13, 2007)
Update: Gold City Enterprise LLC of Hallandale, Florida initiated a nationwide recall of toothpaste made in China because the products may contain the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG), a substance used in antifreeze and as a solvent. The substance is a central nervous system depressant and potent kidney and liver toxin. See the company’s news release for a listing of the lot numbersfor the recalled products. Additionally, Pitusa, National Lumber, Everything to Weight, Supermarkets and Supermarkets Pitusa of Carolina, Puerto Rico recalled all dental toothpaste with the origin “Made in China” due to possible contamination with DEG. The recall includes the following product sizes with dental brushes, 6.4 oz, 1.76 oz, and 50 grams for children. See the Pitusa, National Lumber’s news release for the various names under which the recalled products are sold. (June 13, 2007)
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/toothpaste.html#update
FDA and The Crisis of China’s Poisoned Products
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/01027/Defective_poisoned_products.html
“Silver Spring, MD: Of all defective products you can have, the worst are the ones that you put in your mouth and ingest. Unlike something you swear at when it doesn’t work properly, tainted foods and medicines do the damage silently, on the inside. By the time the situation reveals itself, it is often too late.
Throughout the last several months there have been dozens of reports over the quality of produced goods, or raw materials coming in from China: tainted wheat gluten, which was at the heart of the Menu Foods recall; tainted tooth paste, which was primarily marketed to the Dominican, but wound up in the United States after all.”
>>FDA is strongly warning consumers to avoid using any toothpaste labeled as made in China because we have found levels as high as 3-4% of a poisonous chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG), in Chinese toothpaste.<<
Yes but would counterfeit toothpaste be correctly labeled as being made in China? I would think that would be a giveaway for being fake and they would fake the country of origin label too.
?!
That’s what I was thinking, too.
That’s what I was thinking, too.
OK...silly me, but my toothpaste doesn’t say anything about its’ origin. Just distribution...
ping
RE: #9
I found the same....apparently it is only on the box.
Who keeps that?
My Colgate doesn’t even have it on the box. It is part of a 4 pack purchased at Sam’s Club 5 or 6 months ago. Just distribution info. I have 3 of the boxes.
Gwang Lai, China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Minister, insisted that adding anti-freeze to toothpaste and other products was a “feature” rather than evidence of contamination. “DEG sweetens the taste and helps guard against freeze damage during the cooler months of the year,” Gwang said. “So far we have not reported any deaths resulting from using the toothpaste. The American alarmism is a hostile act against the People’s Republic of China.”
read more...
http://www.azconservative.org/Column_Archives.htm
TANKS for the ping,,,that iceburg keeps gittin’ bigger...
Mine is Crest and according to their website:
Crest® Toothpaste Is Safe.
Crest Toothpaste sold in the U.S.
is manufactured in North America.
If I was prone to paranoia I might think everyone’s out to get us (including our own government).
Little more info on the counterfeit Colgate:
Talking with friends last night—one of their friends had purchased a tube of the counterfeit stuff—presumeably here in Wisconsin, but can’t confirm that. Anyway, that suggests that the distribution may be wider than just the 4 states mentioned.
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