U.S. warning on toothpaste irresponsible, says china

Toothpaste :: U.S. warning on toothpaste irresponsible, says china

China has opposed US FDA's warning on toothpaste from China, and termed this irresponsible act on the part of US FDA, saying low levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) are not harmful.

On June 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China, and issued an import alert to prevent toothpaste containing the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG) from entering the United States.

FDA cleared its stand saying "FDA is not aware of any U.S. reports of poisonings from toothpaste containing DEG. However, the agency is concerned about potential risks from chronic exposure to DEG and exposure to DEG in certain populations, such as children and individuals with kidney or liver disease. DEG in toothpaste has a low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to these populations. Toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed, but FDA is concerned about unintentional swallowing or ingestion of toothpaste containing DEG."

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement posted on its Web site over the weekend:

"So far we have not received any report of death resulting from using the toothpaste. The U.S. handling (of this case) is neither scientific nor responsible. All the toothpaste exported to the United States had been registered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for marketing in the States."

Similarly contaminated toothpaste has been seized across Latin America, and in Panama, the government says at least 100 people died after taking cough syrup that contained DEG, an industrial solvent used in paint and antifreeze.

The FDA identified products by Goldcredit International Enterprises Ltd., Goldcredit International Trading Co. Ltd., and Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Co. Ltd as containing DEG. Brands include Cooldent, Clean Rite and Oralmax and are usually found at discount retailers, the FDA said.