Counterfeit Colgate toothpaste found in Hawaii stores | The Honolulu Advertiser

Comment, blog & share photos

Counterfeit Colgate toothpaste found in Hawaii stores | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Updated at 11:08 a.m., Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Counterfeit Colgate toothpaste found in Hawaii stores

Advertiser Staff

This is a legitimate Colgate toothpaste. Colgate does not import toothpaste into the U.S. from South Africa, and does not use Diethylene Glycol in any of its toothpaste products. Look for the New York distribution location near the bar code.

Colgate-Palmolive Web site

Here is a sample of a fake Colgate toothpaste. A few indicators identify a counterfeit product, including a 5 oz. tube not made by Colgate and several misspellings.

Colgate-Palmolive Web site

The state Department of Heath is warning consumers and retailers about counterfeit Colgate toothpaste, which may contain harmful bacteria and may also contain a poisonous chemical, Diethylene Glycol (DEG).

The public is advised not to use the counterfeit product and to discard it or return it to the place of purchase.

While there have been no reported cases of illness associated with the use of this product, the state DOH is currently locating and removing from sale the counterfeit toothpaste based on its false labeling, according to a news release issued this morning.

The DOH has found counterfeit Colgate toothpaste mainly in dollar-type discount stores in Hawai'i, and is requiring these stores to remove the product or discard it.

All consumers using Colgate toothpaste or in possession of the unused product should look for the following indicators that identify a counterfeit product:

The counterfeit toothpaste comes labeled a 5-ounce (100 ml tube) — a size not made by Colgate in the United States.

There are words on the package: Manufactured by: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE (PVT) LTD., SOUTH AFRICA — 52 Commissioner Street, Boksburg, 1460.

There may be several misspelled word on the product carton including: ""isclinically," "SOUTH AFRLCA," and "South African Dental Assoxiation."

Colgate does not import toothpaste into the U.S. from South Africa, and does not use Diethlene Glycol in any of its toothpaste products. The Colgate-Palmolive Company in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently investigating the source of the counterfeit Colgate toothpaste.

If you suspect that you have a counterfeit product, do not use it and discard the unused product.

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos