DEG in toothpaste from China

Counterfeit Colgate products found in some East Coast discount stores may contain harmful substance         

[June 18, 2007]  ROCKVILLE, Md. -- From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

FDA has found a poisonous chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG), in certain toothpastes imported from China. The agency increased its scrutiny and testing of imported toothpaste and dental products after receiving reports in late May 2007 of contaminated Chinese dental products found in several countries, including Panama.

The agency is warning consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China and, through an import alert, is stopping all suspect toothpaste from entering the United States. FDA continues to investigate this problem and will take further action, as appropriate, to address this important public safety issue. (View News Updates)

List of Toothpaste Products

FDA has identified the following brands of toothpaste from China that have been found to contain a poisonous chemical called diethylene glycol (DEG). The products typically are sold at low-cost, "bargain" retail outlets.

Manufacturer: Goldcredit International Enterprises LTD Products: (MainStar America, Selective Imports, Donnamax)

• Dr. Cool Coolmint

• Superdent Coolmint

• Cooldent Coolmint

• Cooldent Spearmint

• Cooldent Fluoride

• Everfresh Assortment

• BrightMax

• DentaPro

• Dentakleen

• Dentakleen Junior Brand - Strawberry

• Dentakleen Junior Brand - Blueberry

Manufacturer: Gold Credit International Trading Co LTD Products:

• Bright Max Peppermint Flavor

• Clean Rite Toothpaste

• Clean Rite Toothpaste Kit

• Oralmax Extreme Action Kit

• Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor

• DentaKleen

• DentaKleen Junior

• DentaPro

Manufacturer: Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Co. Ltd.
Product: (Gold City Enterprises/New Star, Miami, FL)

• ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste

• ShiRFresh Toothpaste

• ShiRFresh Mint

• ShiRFresh Ice Mint

Manufacturer Shanghai Light Industrial Products:
Freshh Spearmint (Following up with Mandalay International, Ogden, UT)

MFR Unknown:
Crescent Toothpaste (Dollar Ocean #4, Wheaton, MD and H&Y Trading Co, Capitol Heights, MD)
Naturabella nino Dusanzo (Certejenas Inc., Cidra, PR)

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FDA has identified the following counterfeit products:

Manufacturer: Unknown

• counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged as "Colgate," manufactured in South Africa

• counterfeit tooth gel falsely packaged as "Colgate," manufactured in South Africa (may not contain DEG)

Recalled Toothpaste Products

MainStar America, LLC Issues Urgent Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Toothpaste (June 13, 2007)

MS USA Trading, Inc. Recalls "Colgate Toothpaste" Because of Possible Health Risk (June 13, 2007)

Pitusa, National Lumber, Everything To Weight, Supermarkets and Supermarkets Pitusa Recalls Dentakleen, BrightMax, DentaPro, and Dentakleen Junior Toothpastes (June 8, 2007)

Gold City Enterprise Recalls ShiR Toothpastes (June 8, 2007)

News Updates

Update: MainStar America initiated a nationwide recall of toothpaste made in China. The recall was initiated because the products may contain the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol. Consumers who have one of the recalled products should stop using the product, return the product to the store where it was purchased, or throw the product away. See the firm's press release for a list of product lot numbers associated with this recall. (June 15, 2007)

Update: The Colgate-Palmolive Company warned that counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged as "Colgate" has been found in several dollar-type discount stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. There are indications that the product does not contain fluoride and may contain diethylene glycol. Consumers who suspect they may have purchased a counterfeit product can call Colgate's toll-free number 1-800-468-6502. Press Release -- Counterfeit Colgate Toothpaste Found (June 14, 2007)

Update: MS USA Inc. of North Bergen, New Jersey initiated a recall of counterfeit Colgate toothpaste that FDA has determined is contaminated with DEG. Press Release -- Firm Recall (June 13, 2007)

Update: Gold City Enterprise LLC of Hallandale, Florida initiated a nationwide recall of toothpaste made in China because the products may contain the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG), a substance used in antifreeze and as a solvent. The substance is a central nervous system depressant and potent kidney and liver toxin. See the company's news release for a listing of the lot numbers for the recalled products. Additionally, Pitusa, National Lumber, Everything to Weight, Supermarkets and Supermarkets Pitusa of Carolina, Puerto Rico recalled all dental toothpaste with the origin "Made in China" due to possible contamination with DEG. The recall includes the following product sizes with dental brushes, 6.4 oz, 1.76 oz, and 50 grams for children. See the Pitusa, National Lumber's news release for the various names under which the recalled products are sold. (June 13, 2007)

FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Toothpaste From China Containing Harmful Chemical (June 1, 2007)

Import Alert #66-74, "Detention without Physical Examination of Dentifrice Products Containing Diethylene Glycol (DEG) (May 31, 2007)

Toothpaste Imported From China May Contain Diethylene Glycol (Medwatch, June 1, 2007)

Transcripts of FDA Press Conference on Toothpaste from China that Contains DEG

• June 1, 2007 [pdf, 180 KB] [To download Adobe Acrobat Reader for the PDF file, click here.]

What Is FDA Doing?

• Consumer Update: Warning: Toothpaste From China

How Do I Report a Toothpaste Complaint?

• Please contact your Consumer Complaint Coordinator

[Text copied from U.S. Food and Drug Administration news release]