Counterfeit toothpaste suspected in Canadian dollar stores

Health Canada is investigating reports of counterfeit toothpaste purchased at dollar stores in southern Ontario and Halifax.

They look like regular tubes of Colgate toothpaste, but a closer look at the packaging gives some definite clues the product was not made by Colgate-Palmolive.

Similar tubes found in the United States last week contain a chemical found in anti-freeze.

The U.S. FDA says the chemical, diethylene glycol, poses a low health risk, but at least one family claims the substance made them sick.

They say after brushing with the paste, their son experienced vomiting and severe abdominal pain.

Here’s how to spot the fake Colgate: if 2008 appears on the perforated edge, if
it reads 100 milliliters, if it says it came from Africa and if any words on the packaging
are misspelled.

Health Canada won’t confirm if the Canadian cases are truly counterfeits, and has not issued any kind of recall.

They were purchased at Everything For A Dollar stores, but may be in any low-end or discount store.

For more information, you can contact the company at 1-800-468-6502 or visit www.colgate.ca