Tweet
Updated Fri. Jul. 6 2007 11:09 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
The counterfeit Colgate toothpaste that has been found being sold in Canada may contain even more harmful bacteria than first suspected, Health Canada officials said Friday.
The federal agency first issued a warning on June 29, warning consumers that counterfeit toothpaste products labelled as Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Herbal and Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Maximum Cavity Protection contained high levels of harmful bacteria.
They said they would notify Canadians of any health risks once tests had been completed.
On Friday, they released a notice that reads: "Ongoing testing has resulted in preliminary evidence of a further, potentially harmful bacterial contamination. If confirmed, the presence of this bacterium could pose a serious health risk."
Health Canada is advising consumers to discontinue use of the counterfeit product.
"Consumers should seal the tube and put the tube in a sealed bag. They should also wash their hands after handling the tube."
"The product should be kept out of the reach of children," they add.
The counterfeit toothpaste was found in the discount chain "Everything for a Dollar Store." Canadian distributors are cooperating in the investigation and have removed the product from their shelves.
Genuine Colgate toothpaste approved for sale in Canada is safe and is labelled in English and French. The counterfeit product is labelled "Manufactured in South Africa." Misspellings on the packaging include "isclinically" "SOUTH AFRLCA" and "South African Dental Assoxiation."
Fluoride-containing toothpaste that has been approved for sale in Canada will contain either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) or a Natural Product Number (NPN).
Canadian consumers with further questions on how to identify genuine Colgate toothpaste can contact Colgate Canada's consumer line at (1-800-268-6757) or visit the Colgate website.
http://www.colgate.ca/app/Colgate/CA/EN/HomePage.cvsp
CTV.ca News Staff
The counterfeit Colgate toothpaste that has been found being sold in Canada may contain even more harmful bacteria than first suspected, Health Canada officials said Friday.
The federal agency first issued a warning on June 29, warning consumers that counterfeit toothpaste products labelled as Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Herbal and Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Maximum Cavity Protection contained high levels of harmful bacteria.
They said they would notify Canadians of any health risks once tests had been completed.
On Friday, they released a notice that reads: "Ongoing testing has resulted in preliminary evidence of a further, potentially harmful bacterial contamination. If confirmed, the presence of this bacterium could pose a serious health risk."
Health Canada is advising consumers to discontinue use of the counterfeit product.
"Consumers should seal the tube and put the tube in a sealed bag. They should also wash their hands after handling the tube."
"The product should be kept out of the reach of children," they add.
The counterfeit toothpaste was found in the discount chain "Everything for a Dollar Store." Canadian distributors are cooperating in the investigation and have removed the product from their shelves.
Genuine Colgate toothpaste approved for sale in Canada is safe and is labelled in English and French. The counterfeit product is labelled "Manufactured in South Africa." Misspellings on the packaging include "isclinically" "SOUTH AFRLCA" and "South African Dental Assoxiation."
Fluoride-containing toothpaste that has been approved for sale in Canada will contain either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) or a Natural Product Number (NPN).
Canadian consumers with further questions on how to identify genuine Colgate toothpaste can contact Colgate Canada's consumer line at (1-800-268-6757) or visit the Colgate website.
http://www.colgate.ca/app/Colgate/CA/EN/HomePage.cvsp