US Health Officials Checking for Contaminated Toothpaste/China Exports Toothpaste to us!

[KoKo]

BBC NEWS
US checks toothpaste for toxins
Health officials in the United States say they are checking all shipments of toothpaste imported from China for contamination with toxic chemicals.

Panama and the Dominican Republic have reported finding diethylene glycol, a chemical used in engine coolants, in toothpaste from China.

The toothpaste scare is the latest involving products from China.

-snip-

Diethylene glycol is sometimes used as a low-cost substitute for glycerine and Chinese toothpaste makers have said small amounts of the chemical are harmless in toothpaste.

"We are going to be sampling and testing all shipments of toothpaste that come from China," said Doug Arbesfeld, a spokesman for the US Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA says China is the second-largest exporter of toothpaste to the US after Canada.

Food safety investigators in Panama said two brands of toothpaste were imported illegally from China through a free-trade zone.

Chinese officials say they are investigating the claims.

The Dominican Republic and Panama have pulled thousands of tubes of Chinese toothpaste brands Excel and Mr Cool from store shelves.

Beijing recently pledged to clean up its tainted food and drug industry after the series of safety scares. The subject was raised by the US in bilateral trade talks this week.

The former head of China's State Food and Drug Administration is facing trial, accused of taking large bribes to approve untested medicines.
Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6686627.stm

[no_hypocrisy]

1. FDA stops all imports of Chinese toothpaste

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Tainted-Toothpaste.html

Panama investigating poisoned Chinese toothpaste
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/19/world/americas/19panama.html

[Critters2]

2. I have this wacky thought

Why don't we try making some things here? Why the FUCK are we importing toothpaste from China?! Why are we importing ANYTHING from China?!

www.boycottmadeinchina.org

[LiberalHeart]

4. That's exactly what I thought when I saw the story today.

I'm wondering what the heck Americans produce these days.

[whistle]

3. What toothpastes are imported from China?

[shain from kane]

5. Betel nut toothpaste.

Regular betel chewing causes the teeth and gums to be stained red. It is believed to reduce the incidence of cavities, and toothpastes were once produced containing betel extracts. However, the increase in mouth ulcers and gum deterioration (leading to total loss of teeth) caused by betel chewing outweigh any positive effects.

[whistle]

7. Thanks...I've never heard of betelnut

[KoKo]

6. We aren't being told.......n/t