[Purple]

FDA Says Avoid Toothpaste From China,

One US-Bound Shipment Found
The FDA is now warning US consumers to avoid any toothpaste made in China. If you do throw away the toothpaste, please make sure that it does not leak, and is not in a place where your pets can reach them. DEG has been known to be deadly to cats in particular. Pets may be drawn to these products due to their flavor. It’s also a very good idea to prevent pets from roaming into garbage.

The same caution should apply to pet toothpaste.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China, and issued an import alert to prevent toothpaste containing the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG) from entering the United States.

DEG is used in antifreeze and as a solvent.

Consumers should examine toothpaste products for labeling that says the product is made in China. Out of an abundance of caution, FDA suggests that consumers throw away toothpaste with that labeling. FDA is concerned that these products may contain “diethylene glycol,” also known as “diglycol” or “diglycol stearate.”

The following brands have been identified:

Cooldent Fluoride
Cooldent Spearmint
Cooldent ICE
Dr. Cool, Everfresh Toothpaste
Superdent Toothpaste
Clean Rite Toothpaste
Oralmax Extreme
Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor
Bright Max Peppermint Flavor
ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste
Full release after the jump.

(Thanks Joan)


FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Toothpaste From China Containing Harmful Chemical
FDA Detains One Contaminated Shipment, Issues Import Alert

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China, and issued an import alert to prevent toothpaste containing the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG) from entering the United States.

DEG is used in antifreeze and as a solvent.

Consumers should examine toothpaste products for labeling that says the product is made in China. Out of an abundance of caution, FDA suggests that consumers throw away toothpaste with that labeling. FDA is concerned that these products may contain “diethylene glycol,” also known as “diglycol” or “diglycol stearate.”

FDA is not aware of any U.S. reports of poisonings from toothpaste containing DEG. However, the agency is concerned about potential risks from chronic exposure to DEG and exposure to DEG in certain populations, such as children and individuals with kidney or liver disease. DEG in toothpaste has a low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to these populations. Toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed, but FDA is concerned about unintentional swallowing or ingestion of toothpaste containing DEG.

FDA has identified the following brands of toothpaste from China that contain DEG and are included in the import alert: Cooldent Fluoride; Cooldent Spearmint; Cooldent ICE; Dr. Cool, Everfresh Toothpaste; Superdent Toothpaste; Clean Rite Toothpaste; Oralmax Extreme; Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor; Bright Max Peppermint Flavor; and ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste. Manufacturers of these products are: Goldcredit International Enterprises Limited; Goldcredit International Trading Company Limited; and Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Company Limited. The products typically are sold at low-cost, “bargain” retail outlets.

Based on reports of contaminated toothpaste from China found in several countries, including Panama, FDA increased its scrutiny and began sampling toothpaste and other dental products manufactured in China that were imported into the United States.

FDA inspectors identified and detained one shipment of toothpaste at the U.S. border, containing about 3 percent DEG by weight. In addition, FDA inspectors found and tested toothpaste products from China located at a distribution center and a retail store. The highest level found was between 3-4 percent by weight. The product at the retail store was not labeled as containing DEG but was found to contain the substance.

DEG poisoning is an important public safety issue. The agency is aware of reports of patient deaths and injuries in other countries over the past several years from ingesting DEG-contaminated pharmaceutical preparations, such as cough syrups and acetaminophen syrup. FDA recently issued a guidance document to urge U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers to be vigilant in assuring that glycerin, a sweetener commonly used worldwide in liquid over-the-counter and prescription drug products, is not contaminated with DEG.

FDA continues to investigate this problem. If FDA identifies other brands of toothpaste products containing DEG, FDA will take appropriate actions, including adding products and their manufacturers to the import alert to prevent them from entering the United States.

Consumers can report adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:
www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
(800) 332-1088

[Chiapit]

At this point, I want absolutley NOTHING from China...seems like too many imported products from the region are contaminated with something. Yeah, maybe I'm falling for media hype, but I'd rather be safe than sorry...Besides I'd rather support the US with my dollars

[LuvinBullies]

I read about this earlier this morning...I tell you what- I really cannot believe we are importing ANYTHING anymore. U.S. officials really have their heads in the clouds sometimes. It's no surprise to me the tainted dog food was traced back to China, and this is no surprise, either. I told my husband that I wouldn't be surprised if the U.S. was still importing from the middle east for public distribution. Scary stuff- we are at the mercy of airheaded regulators I'm afraid.

[buddysmom]

But we Americans love our Wal Marts and our dollar stores

I agree. Screw China. If we want to save money let's just consume less. I will not set foot in WalMart anymore. I haven't tried avoiding everything with a "Made in China" label but that will be my goal starting today.

The thing is with food (and toothpaste) there is no country of origin labeling requirement. How is it that a plastic piece of junk must have a "made in china" label but a can of beans ("organic!") does not?!

Disclosure: I work for Eden Foods. We make Edensoy soymilk (and many other organic foods). Well EVERY other soymilk (including and especially Silk) is buying their so-called "certified organic" soybeans from China because it's cheaper, even when you add on transportation cost.

Our soybeans all come from the U.S.A. from about 45 organic farms. We know every grower and their families too.

Yet our competition can charge less, throw a "USDA organic" seal on there and gain the competitive advantage.

Don't get me started on the CO2 emissions that their cheap sourcing from China causes, or the refined sugar they put into soymilk which is supposed to be a health food for crying out loud.

*steps down from soap box*

[Michele]

I'm with Chiapit and Buddysmom......

[laurajean]

I sure hope that this will spark consumer awareness in this country. Walmart is NOT our friend. Our government regulatory agencies seem to be in the hands of "corporate friendly" regulators who do not have the will power to enforce food safety for us citizens. I am not sure what is safe to eat anymore. My boyfriend and I have had discussions about our food and its safety.
Thanks for the info, buddysmom, about "organic" labeling.