Alert: FDA Says Avoid Toothpaste Made in China (chemical found in anti-freeze found in tubes)

[Herman Munster]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070601/D8PGAUM01.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government warned consumers on Friday to avoid using toothpaste made in China because it may contain a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze. Out of caution, the Food and Drug Administration said, people should throw away toothpaste with labeling that says it was made in China. The FDA is concerned that these products may contain diethylene glycol.

The agency is not aware of any poisoning from toothpaste in the United States, but it did find the antifreeze ingredient in a shipment at the U.S. border and at two retail stores: a Dollar Plus store in Miami and a Todo A Peso store in Puerto Rico.

Officials said they are primarily concerned about toothpaste sold at bargain retail outlets. The ingredient in question, called DEG, is used as a lower-cost sweetener and thickening agent. The highest concentration of the chemical found in toothpaste so far was between 3 percent and 4 percent of the product's overall weight.

"It does not belong in toothpaste even in small concentrations," said the FDA's Deborah M. Autor.

[PDJane]

1. The stuff isn't a substitute.

The stuff is a deadly chemical that has been used as a substitute for glycerine. It's deadly, attacks the kidneys first, and the last batch of "substitute" killed 50 children in Panama when it was used in cough syrup.

This is another side of the Chinese "economic miracle," y'see.

[Rex]

2. Mostly sold at dollar stores.

Who needs to waste money on nukes, when you can send your enemies anti-freeze.

[napi21]

3. This was announce by several other countries almost 2 weeks ago!

Boy, isn't our FDA doing a GREAT JOB????

IO don't remember who said this, but someone on TV tonight said "If you look under the rock of ANY Fed. agency now, you'll find a disaster!" Shrubco had destroyed EVERY agency in our Gov't. God bless the poor person who takes over in 08! They have a TON of repairing to do!!!!!

[MannyGoldstein]

4. 'Free' Trade Is Totally Kewl

It must be - that's why voting/cheerleading for permanent 'free' trade with China never hurts politicians - including two of the three top Dem presidential candidates.

The way I see it, people must be thinking that the jobs lost to China will be offset by the deaths from Chinese products - thus keeping the unemployment rate steady.