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China rejects US warning on toothpaste
(AP)
Updated: 2007-06-03 16:44
EIJING - China rejected a warning by the US Food and Drug Administration
urging consumers to avoid using Chinese toothpaste because it may contain
a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze.
Calling the warning "unscientific, irresponsible and contradictory,"
China's food regulator said in a statement late Saturday that low levels
of the chemical have been deemed safe for consumption.
The FDA increased its scrutiny of toothpaste made in China after reports
that some brands contained diethylene glycol, a thickening agent used as
asubstitute for glycerin, a sweetener commonly used in drugs.
Related readings:
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FDA says avoid toothpaste made in China
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China investigates into tainted toothpaste
The US agency was not aware of any poisoning, but found toothpaste with
the chemical in a shipment at the US border and at two bargain retail
stores in the US
In its statement, China's General Administration of Quality Supervision,
Inspection and Quarantine said a list of ingredients in toothpaste
exported to the US is offered to the FDA, showing the amount of
diethylene glycol. Also, the toothpaste's labeling had already been
registered with the FDA, allowing it to be sold in the U.S, the statement
said.
Experts from the Health Ministry have deemed diethylene glycol a
"low-level" poison that does not accumulate in the body, it said, adding
the regulator found no evidence that the substance caused cancer or
deformities.
European Union standards allow for a certain amount of the chemical, it
said, and a Chinese study in 2000 found toothpaste containing less than
15.6 percent of diethylene glycol was not harmful.
"Therefore the warning issued by the FDA is unscientific, irresponsible
and contradictory," the agency said, noting it was "highly concerned" by
the move.
The agency "requests the US clarify the facts in a scientific manner as
soon as possible and properly handle the issue."
The FDA alert Friday said it found diethylene glycol, or DEG, in three
products manufactured by Goldcredit International Trading in China:
Cooldent Fluoride, Cooldent Spearmint and Cooldent ICE. Analysis of the
products revealed they contained between 3 percent and 4 percent DEG.
The agency also found the chemical in one product manufactured by Suzhou
City Jinmao Daily Chemical Co., Shir Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste, and
discovered it contained about 1 percent DEG.
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