China toothpaste withdrawn from shelves

THATO CHWAANE
Staff Writer | Friday February 8, 2008 00:00

Responding to a Mmegi questionnaire, deputy permanent secretary, Dr Loeto Mazhani, said most of the local authorities toured their districts to recall the toothpastes made in China.

Letlhakeng Sub District found 17 toothpastes, followed by Lobatse Town Council with 13 toothpastes and Jwaneng Town Council with nine toothpastes. Okavango Sub District and Gaborone City Council had three each.

Mazhani said all the other councils reported that they found nothing in their areas. 'Local authorities are still on guard for those that might have come after the exercise,' he said.
DEG is said to affect organs like eyes, skin, the respiratory tract, central nervous system, kidneys and liver. The immediate symptoms include irritation to the skin and eyes, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle tenderness, unconsciousness and abdominal pains, among others.

He said that death can occur due to renal failure, brain damage and respiratory paralysis after long exposure.

Botswana, Panama, Australia, America and Canada are among the countries that have recalled Chinese toothpaste brands from their supermarket shelves.

United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labelled as made in China.