Colgate-Palmolive Issues Warning About Counterfeit Products

Shoppers all over the world have made dollar stores a phenomenon, but it's definitely buyer beware as The Colgate-Palmolive Company announced today that toothpaste labeled as "Colgate" was not the real thing. The counterfeit toothpaste has been found in several discount stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The toothpaste is not believed to contain fluoride, and may contain Diethylene Glycol, a chemical that is not used in any Colgate toothpaste. Diethylene Glycol is frequently used in anti-freeze.

The counterfeit toothpaste can be distinguished from authentic Colgate by examining the label for "Manufactured in South Africa." Colgate does not import toothpaste into the U.S. from South Africa. Additionally, the labels contain spelling and typographical errors, such as "isclinically," "SOUTH AFRLCA" and South African Dental Assoxiation."

Colgate is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help identify the source of the counterfeit products. If you believe you have purchased the counterfeit toothpaste, you can contact Colgate's customer service department at 1-800-468-6502.

This is the second dollar store toothpaste scare in recent weeks. On June 2, the U.S. FDA warned consumers to discard toothpaste illegally imported from China. The products also contained Diethylene Glycol. The toothpaste was found in dollar stores in three U.S. cities, as well as Puerto Rico. None of the toothpaste was major label, but were marketed as ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste, DentaPro, DentaKleen and Oral Bright Fresh. The FDA said there was a low risk of toxicity, but children and people with liveror kidney disease could be in danger.

Dollar stores remain one of the fastest growing retail segments, behind supercenters, in the U.S, but have been criticized for selling counterfeit items, imported healthcare items and out of date medications. In August 2006, Dollar Tree recalled 600,000 counterfeit extension cords due to overheating and shock hazard. Consumers are advised to only buy health and beauty products that are recognized name brands, and to check the labels for unfamiliar ingredients, faded packaging, old expiration dates and misspelled or grammatically incorrect labels. Consumers should also look for product warnings, directions, a list of inactive ingredients and a toll-free number for questions and complaints.

According to Retail Forward's ShopperScape, 35 percent of U.S. households regularly shop at a dollar store. In the U.S., Dollar Tree is the market leader in single price point stores, with over 3000 unites in 48 states. Other leading dollar discount stores include Dollar General and Family Dollar.

Source: Press Release: Counterfeit Colgate Toothpaste Found
FDA Warning: Toothpaste From China