FDA Warning: Discard Chinese made toothpastes

The US government cautioned consumers against the use of toothpastes made in China as it may contain a toxic chemical diethylene glycol (DEG).

The warning to discard all Chinese made toothpastes was issued when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the presence of DEG in Chinese-made toothpastes at three stores: a Dollar Plus store in Miami, a Todo A Peso store in Puerto Rico and a store in Los Angeles.

Diethylene Glycol or DEG is an inexpensive chemical used in industrial products such as in antifreeze, brake fluids and various solvents. It is used by counterfeiters as a substitute for Glycerin, a relatively expensive but safe additive commonly found in food, drugs and household products. Glycerin is used as a thickening agent and a sweetener in toothpaste.

According to the Chinese regulators, small amounts of DEG can be safely used in toothpastes. However, FDA finds the presence of DEG in dental products unacceptable. "It does not belong in toothpaste even in small concentrations," said Deborah M. Autor, director of the FDA’s Office of Compliance in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

As of now, there have been no reports of any poisoning resulting from the toothpastes. However, the FDA is concerned about the fact that DEG can pose a low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to children and people suffering from kidney or liver diseases, on chronic exposure to the chemical.

So far, the few brands containing DEG listed the chemical on the label. However, it was not listed on the labels of the toothpastes seized from the various stores. Its presence was detected as the FDA began scrutinizing toothpastes made in China after similar products in Panama, Australia and several other countries were found to contain DEG. In the past few weeks, US is the seventh country to report contaminated Chinese toothpastes.

The officials are mainly concerned about toothpastes sold at discount retail stores such as Dollar stores. Various brands such as Cooldent, Clean Rite and Oralmax have been found to be contaminated; some of them have the concentration of DEG as high as 3 to 4 percent. However, the major brands have not been affected.

According to FDA, the companies manufacturing products containing DEG are Goldcredit International Enterprises Ltd., Goldcredit International Trading Co. Ltd., and Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Co. Ltd.

According to reports, China accounts for about $3.3 million out of the $2 billion toothpaste market in America. When the overall scenario is concerned, the scope of the harmful effects of the Chinese toothpastes is fairly small.

In order to limit the adverse effects, FDA has issued an import alert on Friday for all dental products containing DEG. All brands will be tested for DEG and those which contained DEG previously will have to prove that the chemical is no longer present.

DEG poisoning is an important public safety issue. This came into light when the deadly chemical was used in cold medicines in Panama resulting in the death of about 100 people. This has led to an international outcry regarding the safety standards of Chinese exports.