CBP Announces Seizure of Toothpaste Containing Toxic Compound
10/03/2007
Charleston, S.C. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Charleston seaport made a significant seizure of 1,440 tubes of toothpaste adulterated with diethylene glycol, an organic compound commonly founds in antifreeze toxic to humans and animals. Exposure can cause death in humans and animals through kidney failure.
CBP officers performed an initial examination of the shipment in July and sent samples of the toothpaste for laboratory examination where they tested positive for DEG. The toothpaste also has deceptive country of origin markings. Shrink wrap on the outside of the boxes were marked with "Made in China" and the boxes were marked “Made in India.”
CBP requires every article of foreign origin entering the United States must be legibly marked with the English name of the country of origin unless an exception from marking is provided for in the law. This is to inform the ultimate purchaser in the United States of the country in which the imported article was made.
This seizure demonstrates the commitment of CBP to assuring product safety for the American consumer,” said Pam Zaresk, CBP port director for Charleston. “CBP coordinates closely with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that merchandise does not contain harmful substances in the interest of maintaining the publics’ health and safety.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of the nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
