This summer, the European Commission received - via the European rapid alert system for dangerous non-food consumer products (RAPEX) - multiple alerts about Chinese toothpastes, containing diethylene glycol (DEG), a substance used in antifreeze and as a solvent.

All notified Chinese toothpastes are counterfeit goods and are being withdrawn from the market and recalled from consumers as they may pose a serious risk for the health and safety of consumers.

So far, the following toothpastes were notified via RAPEX by Spain:

• "Spearmint" and "Spearmint Tri Leaf", containing respectively 7% an 8.3% of DEG,
• "Morning Baby", containing 6.4% of DEG,
• "Cool Mate", containing 2.9% of DEG,
• "Name in Chinese - see picture", containing 8.4% of DEG,
• "Amalfi-dent classic" and "Amalfi-dent herbal", containing respectively 3.1% and 2.9% of DEG,
• "ZHICHENG-ALOE Super whitening toothpaste" containing 4.3% of DEG.

Chinese toothpastes were also notified via RAPEX by the French, Romanian and British authorities:

• "Toothpaste – New 4 U Cavity Fighter", containing 3.5% of DEG.

• "Maxam Triple Action", containing 9% of DEG.

• "Gilchrist & Soames", containing 1.2% of DEG.

The European Commission asked all Member States to check whether the Chinese toothpastes containing DEG have been placed on their markets and to take appropriate actions if necessary.
The Commission urges consumers not to buy counterfeit products and to contact competent national authorities in case of doubts.