Colgate Recall

Wow. Quite a coincidence commenting on Colgate in my last post just minutes ago! Everyone be careful out there.....

Counterfeit Colgate Toothpaste Is Recalled in Four States
Fake Brand May Contain
A Poisonous Chemical
By ANJALI CORDEIRO and JOSEE ROSE
June 14, 2007 10:26 a.m.

NEW YORK -- Colgate-Palmolive Co. said counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged with a Colgate label is being recalled because it may contain a poisonous chemical.

The consumer-products company said there are indications that the fake products don't contain fluoride and may contain Diethylene Glycol, which Colgate has never used. Diethylene Glycol, or DEG, is a poisonous chemical used antifreeze and as a solvent. The five-ounce tubes of toothpaste are being sold in discount stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

"Colgate does not import toothpaste into the United States from South Africa," said a statement from Colgate-Palmolive Company. "In addition, the counterfeit packages examined so far have several misspellings including: 'isclinically,' 'SOUTH AFRLCA' and 'South African Dental Assoxiation.' " "Counterfeit toothpaste is not manufactured or distributed by Colgate and has no connection with the company whatsoever," the company said.

In recent weeks the Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers to avoid using any toothpaste with a "made in China" label because the agency found 3% to 4% of the same toxic chemical in Chinese toothpaste. The FDA began testing Chinese dental products after reports that contaminated Chinese toothpaste was found in several countries including Panama. The FDA has issued an import alert to prevent Chinese toothpaste containing DEG from being sold in the United States and has said it will continue to stop brands of Chinese toothpaste for testing.

Colgate said is working closely with the FDA to identify those responsible for the counterfeit product. The agency recently issued an import alert to prevent Chinese toothpaste containing the same chemical Diethylene Glycol.

The company said consumers who may have purchased this product can call 1-800-468-6502.

A Smart Idea by the FSA in the UK

UK's FSA backs folic acid in flour, curbs on food
Thu Jun 14, 5:32 PM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Food Standards Agency board on Thursday gave the go-ahead for plans to add folic acid to foods in a bid to cut birth defects and said levels should be controlled in some products to prevent over-consumption.

Wow. Thinking ahead by a government? Prevention? I wonder if our government knows the meaning of that word. Why can't our FDA do the same thing? Flouride comes to mind. Now all our food and water is filled with this metal that can be helpful at moderate levels. Who is monitoring the big picture? No one. And now Tom's of Maine the maker of one flouride-free toothpaste was bought by one of the biggies, Colgate.