RIYADH, 24 August 2007 — Saudi Arabia has removed from shelves seven brands of toothpaste produced in Chinese found to have a poisonous chemical in them, a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement clarified on Wednesday. According to the statement of the ministry reported by Saudi Press Agency its laboratory tests had shown traces of diethylene glycol, used in coolants and solvents but too toxic for food and medicine, in the banned toothpastes.
The banned brands are Best, Smile2, Shine, Acura2, Special2, Shine, Moon Light and Zain. The ministry ordered its officials to remove the toothpastes from shops and destroy the samples.
It added that the tests that uncovered the toothpaste were part of routine checks on food and medicine in order to guarantee that all the food and other consumer items offered in the market are safe for human use and fulfill Saudi specifications.
The ministry also ordered its laboratories not to allow any Chinese toothpaste to be marketed before checking for diethylene glycol. The consumers have been advised not to use the above-mentioned brands. The ministry urged the consumers to call 8001241616 or fax 4093047 if they come across any of these brands in the markets.
