FDA Warns on Chinese-Manufactured Toothpaste

The FDA is warning consumers to throw out any Chinese toothpaste after it found a component of antifreeze in several products.

Because diethylene glycol (DEG) is not always listed in the ingredients on the package, the FDA says people should examine their toothpaste and discard any imported from China. So far there have been no reports of injuries from DEG-contaminated toothpaste, but there have been deaths in several countries from DEG-contaminated products like cough syrup. The FDA is concerned about chronic exposure to DEG, particularly to vulnerable populations like children and people with kidney or liver disease.

Source: Physician's First Watch June 4 2007

Reference: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01646.html