Killer toothpaste? Now it's cheap ingredients in toothpaste killing people?

[havocmom]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-05-15-panama-toothpaste_N.htm?csp=15

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Health experts confirmed Tuesday that two brands of toothpaste pulled from shelves contain the same chemical that killed at least 51 people in the Central American country last year.

Authorities seized about 50 tubes of toothpaste labeled "Excel" and "Mr. Cool" from a Panama City store last week after a customer noticed their labels said they contained the chemical diethylene glycol. Experts at the University of Panama confirmed through tests that the toothpastes contained about a 2.5% level of the chemical.

Health Ministry General Secretary Francisco Sucre said that the levels, "as far we know, don't cause damage," but the ministry urged consumers not to use the products.

"This toxic substance should not be in the contents ... of a dental product," the ministry said in a statement. It noted the substance, which is apparently used as a substitute for a more expensive sweetener and thickener, "is prohibited for use in cosmetics, foods and pharmaceuticals.*"

No wonder my dog refuses to brush his teeth now.

* bold mine to highlight the money statement - and there always is a money statement

[acmavm]

1. Man, big business just doesn't care, they think they have

permission to kill as many people as possible as long as it save a buck.

Isn't this criminal?

[valerief]

2. As with freedom, the definition of crime will change to suit the needs of the ruling class. nt

[havocmom]

3. Wonder how many pennies (or penny-like substances) they save per tube

by putting in a cheap, poisonous substitute for the regular sweetener/thickener.

[rurallib]

4. diethylene glycol is anti-freeze isn't it?

Really bad stuff. Eats away the stomach if I remember right.

[havocmom]

7. Thinkin that is what give anti-freeze a sweet taste cats can't resist

until it kills them.

Cheap motherfuckers. Anything/anybody to make a tiny bit more profit.

[rasputin1952]

10. Yep, sure is, and ingestion can cause not just death, but

blindness as well as a host of other neurological situations that may wish you were dead.

I wonder if this toothpaste came from China? There was an article about a Chinese trader that was looking for a cheap substitute to put in some medications as a preservative, and used the stuff as well.

Meanwhile, the adinministration is taling about cutting the FDA budget again...just leave safety/quality up to manufacturers...:grr:

[derby378]

5. Reminds me of evil black-market distillers who put methanol in liquor bottles

This has been going on for some time as well. Check this link:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1273030

:mad:

[Gold Metal Flake]

6. Free market.

If you don't like poison in your toothpaste, don't buy it.

The media has reported about it, therefore you may make an informed decision.

The system works. This is proof.

A message brought to you by a giggling sociopath at the American Enterprise Institute and a psychotic fool at the Club For Growth.

[Javaman]

8. I use Tom's of Maine.

great stuff. does the trick and it's made here.

[SoCalDem]

9. Plain old baking soda does the trick.. I LOATHE artificial sweetener

and it seems as if ALL the toothpaste I have bought recently has it in them. The aftertaste gags me :(

so I have a dish and a box of soda.. Works just fine :)

[supernova]

11. Runs to the bathroom to check

my Colgate tube is clean.

You don't know anymore, what's in this stuff. All the different options and flavors are nice, but eechh.

[kysrsoze]

12. Ultra-Brite was rated highest in keeping teeth clean and costs about $1 per tube

We switched from Colgate. Haven't used Crest in years.