China Rejects US Health Warning on Toothpaste

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03 June 2007 -- China is rejecting a U.S. government warning about Chinese-made toothpaste that contains a potentially poisonous chemical commonly used in antifreeze.

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine says the advisory from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is unscientific and irresponsible.

China says low-levels of the chemical, diethylene glycol, have been approved for consumption. It also says the U.S. food regulator has approved all Chinese-made toothpaste exported to the United States.

On Friday, the U.S. government warned consumers to avoid using toothpaste made in China after the FDA found diethylene glycol, or DEG, in a shipment seized at the border and in two U.S. retail stores.

The FDA said it is not aware of any reports of poisoning from the toothpaste, but that it is concerned about sick people and children being exposed to the chemical.

The FDA has been scrutinizing toothpaste imported from China after similar products containing the chemical killed or sickened users in Latin America.

Source: VOA News