Dentapro and Brightmax Toothpaste Recalled from DEG poisened supply in China

Donnamax Inc. of Brooklyn, NY, has initiated a voluntary recall of the following brands of toothpaste made in China for the possibility of DEG contamination:

DentaPro Toothpaste brand CAVITY FIGHTING FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE, FRESH SPEARMINT FLAVOR, NET WT. 6.4 oz. - Item No. 9112, UPC 8 71290 – 00062 5, and

Bright Max Toothpaste, NET WT. 6.4 oz. - Item No. 9111

CONSUMERS WHO HAVE THESE BRANDS OF TOOTHPASTE SHOULD STOP USING THEM IMMEDIATELY, AND RETURN THEM TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE, OR THROW THEM AWAY.

Retailers should immediately examine their inventory for the recalled brands of toothpaste, remove them from sale, destroy any units found, and report the quantity destroyed on the response form to Donnamax Inc. as soon as possible. For more information contact Raymond Zeitouny at (718) 854-0273.

The toothpaste products were sold to retail stores located in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Idaho.

This recall has been initiated because the products may contain diethylene glycol (DEG), also known as "diglycol". According to the FDA "Chronic exposure to DEG in certain populations, such as children and individuals with kidney or liver disease. DEG in toothpaste has a low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to these populations."

The language used by the FDA above is someone played down in this blogger's opinion, especially when you consider that DEG in cough syrup caused 339 children in Bangladesh to develop kidney failure (most of them died) back in 1990, and more than 80 children died from the same thing in Haiti (http://www.news-medical.net/?id=24765) five years later. The concerns about DEG-contaminated toothpaste here in the States follow a recent tragedy in Panama where over 300 deaths were reported as a result of DEG poisoning.

The New York Times paints a disturbing picture of the effects of DEG on children:
"The kidneys fail first. Then the central nervous system begins to misfire. Paralysis spreads, making breathing difficult, then often impossible without assistance. In the end, most victims die."

It is true that no injuries have been reported as a result of DEG-contaminated toothpaste here in the United States, but the dangers are not to be ignored. DEG wasn't put in Chinese toothpaste by accident. It was used as a cheap alternative to triol glycerin (i.e. glycerol) which is non-toxic, naturally occurring and about three times as expensive as diethylene glycol (DEG). Your life and your child's life has been put at risk so some company (whether in China or here in the US - or both) could save money on production costs. Someone knowingly put a toxic chemical used in the manufacture of polyester resins, plasticizers and anti-freeze coolant into toothpaste to save money. We hope this point has been made very clear because it is why US Recall News recently issued this press release, calling for the partial boycott of Chinese products until the US and Chinese governments, as well as American corporations importing from China can get their act together.
Officially reported August 9 07