Toxic Toothpastes Seized in Mozambique
The Mozambique authorities have seized thousands of boxes of counterfeit toothpaste, which they fear may contain a potentially deadly chemical.
The seizures follow a ban on all sales of Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection toothpaste issued last week.
Colgate has denied any link with the products found in the capital, Maputo and around the country.
The boxes are labelled “Made in South Africa” but the true origin of the counterfeit products is not clear.
In June, some Chinese-made toothpaste, which also contained dangerous levels of diethylene glycol (DEG), normally used in anti-freeze and solvents was found in Canada and the US.
The chemical can cause abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, damage to kidneys and liver and, if ingested in large amounts can be fatal.
But no cases of people falling sick have been reported in Mozambique.
Date: August 6, 2007
Reference: Maputo seizes ‘toxic toothpaste’