The United States government on June 1 told consumers to beware of using toothpaste produced in China since it might contain a particularly poisonous chemical which is also used in antifreeze.
The FDA reported that individuals should discard toothpaste with labeling that states it was made in China. They are very worried that these products may contain diethylene glycol.
The agency is not aware of any reports in the US of poisoning from toothpaste, but it did find the antifreeze ingredient in a shipment at the U.S. border and at 2 retail stores: a Dollar Plus store in Miami, Florida and a Todo A Peso store in Puerto Rico. In addition, China executed the former head of their version of the FDA shortly after loud complains from the U.S. over contaminents found in both human and pet food products that are produced there.
The ingredient in question, called DEG, is used as a lower-cost sweetener and thickening agent. The highest concentration of the chemical found in toothpaste so far was between 3-4 percent.
“It does not belong in toothpaste even in small concentrations,” said the FDA’s Deborah M. Autor.
The FDA heightened its scrutiny of toothpaste made in China due to reports of contamination in a number of different nations, like Panama.
The agency is especially worried about chronic exposure to DEG in kids and individuals with either kidney or liver disease.
Agency officials said they had no estimate of just how many units of tainted toothpaste might have made it into the U.S.
“Our concern today is potentially about all toothpaste that comes in from China,” Autor said. “Our estimate is that China makes up about $3.3 million of the two billion U.S. toothpaste market.”
They also issued an import alert for all dental products containing DEG. This alert means that toothpaste from China will actually be stopped at the border.