Toothpaste from China contains anti-freeze chemical
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive June 2007:
Toothpaste from China contains anti-freeze chemical
The FDA is warning that it has found toothpaste made in China that contains diethylene glycol, a chemical used in anti-freeze. This chemical is being used as a cheap substitute for glycerine, which is used as a thickening agent. Last year mis-labeled chemicals from China, which also contained diethylene glycol, was used in Panama in making cold medicine, and at least 100 people died. The FDA says that some of the tubes of toothpaste state that it contains diethylene glycol, but some do not, and advises that you not use any toothpaste from China.
I have been following the stories about food products from China and intend to avoid all food products which have China on the label. It is clear that the Chinese government provides very little safety oversight, if any, and that at least some of its manufacturers have no qualms about using cheaper but potentially dangerous products in foodstuffs. Most recently, the Chinese government has blamed the U.S. purchasing manufacturers of pet food for the recent problems of non-food contaminents in pet food, saying it is the manufacturers' fault for seeking to buy from the lowest bidder.
The FDA & U.S. Customs have found shipments from China which, for example, have chicken parts in boxes labeled "Lotus Pods" or other false labeling. Of course, one wonders how many got through without being caught.
Here's a link to the NYTimes article which lists the brands of toothpaste. The FDA found some of the toothpaste at a Dollar Store and a Dollar Store distributor.
Toothpaste
That's pretty creepy!!!!! I have always had issues with purchasing things like that in dollar stores, so I never have. The dollar stores around here look so dirty and unorganized to begin with, I just don't even bother.
I think I'll stick with Crest!
That IS creepy! Hopefully, American manufacturers of the top name brands like Crest and Colgate will continue to use American ingredients, and not try to broaden their profit margin by buying imported chemicals.
Ditto on the Dollar Stores. I guess they appeal to a certain segment of the population. I will buy gardening tools or placemats, etc. there, but I will never buy personal care items or food items there. My DH thinks he's a great bargain hunter and once came home with canned fruit salad fron the Dollar Store, made in Uzbeckistan, or something like that. I threw it out without opening it.
With all the free trade going on today, there is probably a lot less oversight due to budget and personnel constraints. And, in a world that worships the dollar, it is all about profit. Even brands that we assumed to be American and therefore, safe, such as Eukanuba dog and cat food, proved to be lethal.
I think it pays to be prudent and even call the manufacturer and ask about the source of their ingredients.
Well, I guess I must be a member of that certain segment of population, because ,for the most part, I like the Dollar Store.I always buy my laundry detergent's, dish soap, Irish Spring bath soap, etc,because it's the same thing that Wal-Mart and others carry, just cheaper.It's no different buying Crest there for $1,versus Crest at Wal-Mart for $2.50. But ,I don't buy weird named products like the toothpaste that is on re-call.Their cereal is the same as other places, just way cheaper. At least it is here.
"I guess they appeal to a certain segment of the population."
I think the wording of that statement wasn't well thought out Hol. I love ya and know you didn't mean it to come across as an offense but.... There are those of us that do shop at those stores that aren't a part of the certain segment of the population you make reference to.
Everyone I know around here shops the Dollar Stores and the majority wouldn't meet the certain segment reference either (just ribbing you Hol). We have two each of the Family Dollar and Dollar General chain here in town. One of which is poorly managed and basically a hole.. But the other three are well taken care of and actually nice to shop at. One nice thing, they are small enough that the cashiers are able to be more personable with you, much different then Wal Mart as far as that goes. I can also drive the 5 minutes to the Dollar General and get a box of Tide and be out of the store in ten. Where as at WalMart.. It takes 20 minutes on a good day to get there. Drive around for 5 or more minutes just to park. Then I have to walk all the way to the back of the store for the Tide and then walk all the way back to the front and then stand in line to check out.. We likely have a good 20 cash registers but they never have more than four open at a time and the self check out seems to be broke more than it works.. Then I have the 20 minute or more drive home all for one box of Tide. Then you factor in the price of Gas now a days and shopping at the Dollar Store makes a whole heck of a lot of sense to me.. Trade marked named products are trade marked named products. Tide isn't going to let the Dollar General sell fake Tide products... Nor will any other trade marked products for that matter.. I stick to name brand products but I am sure that most of them are cutting corners at our expense.. But that same product is being sold at WalMart, so what makes a difference? The time and the money make a huge difference to me.. The Tide bought at WalMart doesn't get the laundry any cleaner, now does it??
I don't think the Dollar Store or similar stores are the issue. I think the issue is products meant for human (and animal) consumption which have ingredients which come from China. I can understand the Dollar Store buying products from China - they are much cheaper. But, I think that with all we've learned recently about the lack of care for safety for such products in China, sticking to brand names is safer, no matter where you buy them.
Here's an article in Reuters: China in which a representative of the Chinese government is quoted as saying "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."
Maybe no one has died from this chemical in toothpaste, but this same chemical was sold to Panama as glycerin, used in making cough syrup, and at least a hundred people died, plus hundreds were made ill and suffered serious effects.
I guess some US manufacturers are no better. Here's an article in the Columbus Dispatch in which a spokesman for Tempec, a manufacturer of a binder product used in animal food, is quoted as follows: "Tembec thought it was making a "compliant product" because it was made for export, not for the U.S. market." So it's OK to use unapproved ingredients in products meant for export when they cannot be used for the U.S. market? That sure says something about Tempec - nothing good, imo. It really makes this US manufacturer no better than the Chinese manufacturers.
Here's the article: Tempec
"I stick to name brand products but I am sure that most of them are cutting corners at our expense.."
I don't think anything is 100% safe. If they can figure out a way to cut corners they aren't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. So they are a little less concerned with the way things come about if it means getting them the all mighty dollar. Use to be that companies took pride in their products, now they take pride in their profits.
But that doesn't mean that those products are only sold in seedy little Dollar Stores. The dog foods were on recall at WalMart and the local Grocery Stores too... Places you assume are safe..
I go into the dollar store for odd stuff now and again, but I would never purchase anything that was to be consumed or put in the mouth. Why, crest is crest right? Well no actually, items that are sold in the us are manafactured for other places, which means they don't have to pass the same standards. I would like to think they are harmless, but like with toothpaste, they contain different amounts of flouride and can use colorings that aren't allowed here in the US (mostly for gross factor).
First of all, I didn't mean to offend anyone when I said what I said. If anyone took offense, my sincere apologies. It's just that, frequently you will see Dollar Stores in really seedy parts of town, though certainly not always. And, the people I see that shop there, many times look like they are just scraping by, i.e., buying really small sizes of things, etc., and buying clothing there. And, many times, they are the ONLY variety stores in small towns.
I think we all shop at the Dollar Stores, but as Bobbie said, for needed items that are just not worth a trip to Walmart because of the hassle. I am not convinced, however, that ALL of the name brand items are the same, regardless of where you buy them. I have noticed brand laundry detergent, or Dixie paper plates, etc., with a Family Dollar logo and price printed right on the packaging. They obviously can't sell those in any other store. I've often wondered if it were factory "seconds", or worse, a different formulation that enables them to sell that item, albeit a brand name, cheaper.
As I said, I will buy a plastic lawn chair, doilies for the house, or seasonal decorations there, but I will not buy consumables or toiletries.
The "segment" of the population that I was referring to are the folks who have to put little plastic $2.00 sneakers on their kids because they cannot afford better ones.
Again, please forgive me if I came accross insensitively.
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