FDA stops Chinese toothpaste imports
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last week it is stopping all imports of toothpaste from China after reports of samples imported to other countries were found to contain a toxic chemical.
The FDA is citing recent reports showing that Chinese toothpaste imported into the Dominican Republic, Panama and Australia contained diethylene glycol — a poison used in antifreeze and brake fluid.
U.S. authorities say they have no evidence that tainted toothpaste has reached the United States, which imported about $3.3 million worth of Chinese toothpaste last year, but the FDA is taking what it calls a 'precautionary measure' is stopping and testing the imports.
U.S. officials' requests last week for China to increase safety of its food exports come after several recent high-profile safety incidents, from pet food to fish products, involving Chinese products.