Beware of Chinese toothpaste

Staff Writer | Wednesday January 23, 2008 00:00

DEG is found in Chinese-manufactured toothpaste under various brands. However, the chemical is not recommended for use in food and drugs and it is said to contribute to mass poisoning in different parts of the world.

Panama, Australia, the United States of America (US) and Canada are among the countries that have recalled the toothpaste from supermarket shelves. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labelled as 'made in China' and they have identified others from South Africa. The FDA is also working to stop the importation of toothpaste containing DEG.

According to the FDA website, they are not aware of poisoning from tooth pastes that contain DEG. However, the agency is concerned about the potential risks from exposure to DEG in certain populations such as children and people with kidney and liver disease.

'Even with the precautions taken by FDA, illegal toothpaste products may still reach consumers particularly through discount stores and flea markets. Some of these toothpaste products are considered 'counterfeit' or 'gray market' goods,' the website reveals. It further states that counterfeit toothpaste is marketed under a product name without the permission of the company that has the legal right to use that name.

According to Medical News, if ingested, DEG can provoke nausea, abdominal pains, urinary problems, kidney failure, breathing problems, lethargy, convulsions, dizziness, coma and on occasion, death.

Health Canada last year warned retailers to immediately stop toothpaste mainly labelled made in Chinese' from being sold predominantly in Chinese markets.

In Botswana, the Department of Public Health sampled toothpaste brands in the local market and the test showed that it is only Chinese brands of toothpaste that contain DEG.

Authorities have been advised to recall and destroy any toothpaste made in China. In the book by James Kyuge, 'China Shakes the World' he writes '... counterfeits are either tragic, comic or both. Other fakes are even more dangerous.

'Kettles blow up, electrical transformers short circuit, medicines have no effect, brake pads fail, alcohol poisons those who drink it and fake milk powder has had the effect of starving several babies to death'.