Dentistry Today: Colgate Warns of FAKE TOXIC Toothpaste From China

Colgate warns of fake toothpaste in U.S.

Colgate-Palmolive Co. on Thursday said counterfeit “Colgate” toothpaste that may contain a toxic chemical had been found in discount stores in four U.S. states.

“There are indications that this product does not contain fluoride and may contain diethylene glycol,” the company said in a statement.

Colgate-Palmolive said it does not use, nor has ever used, diethylene glycol as an ingredient in its toothpaste anywhere in the world. The chemical, known as DEG and sometimes illegally used as an inexpensive sweetener and thickening agent, is commonly found in solvents and antifreeze.

The Colgate-Palmolive announcement comes less than two weeks after the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to avoid any toothpaste made in China after inspectors found DEG in tubes sold at two stores.

The health regulator also issued an import alert, with the aim of preventing all toothpaste from three companies in China that make the brands found to contain DEG from entering the United States.

Colgate-Palmolive said the counterfeit toothpaste was found in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. It can be recognized because it is labeled as being manufactured in South Africa, and the company does not import toothpaste to the United States from South Africa.

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Better stick with the name brands and forget about the “discount” brands.

And the FDA with Homeland Security better get their act together.

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