Toxic toothpaste
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
The Republic of Panama Ministry of Health confirmed the presence of toxic diethylene glycol in samples of Chinese toothpastes Excel Past Dentrifica toothpaste and Mr. Cool toothpaste. Products were analyzed by the Specialized Institute of Analysis of the University of Panama. The toothpastes, which entered the country in February, had a percentage of diethylene glycol of 2.5%, and are reportedly blamed in the deaths of at least 51 people. Federal investigation is ongoing. FDA recently released a guidance stressing pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and compounding pharmacists include tests for diethylene glycol content in received glycerine lots, reflecting the growing concern about vulnerabilities in the global supply chain (1"The Tan Sheet" May 7, 2007, p. 15)...
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Chinese toothpaste import alert
FDA warns consumers not to use toothpaste labeled as made in China and issues an import alert June 1 to prevent toothpaste containing toxic diethylene glycol from entering the country. One shipment of toothpaste containing 3% DEG has been identified and detained at the U.S. border by agency inspectors, and DEG-containing toothpaste also was found at a distribution center and a retail store, FDA states. No U.S. incidents of poisoning from toothpaste adulterated with DEG have been reported, according to the agency. Panama's health ministry also recently found DEG in Chinese-manufactured toothpastes, which in part contributed to FDA's increased scrutiny of toothpaste and other dental products made in China, FDA says (1"The Tan Sheet" May 28, 2007, In Brief)...
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