Hallandale importer issues voluntary toothpaste recall

A Hallandale Beach, Fla., importer issued a voluntary recall of toothpaste it imported from China and distributed to wholesalers, saying the product may contain a poisonous chemical. Gold City Enterprise said the roughly 700,000 recalled tubes of toothpaste may contain diethylene glycol (DEG), a thickening agent used in antifreeze and as a cheaper substitute for the sweetener glycerin. No injuries or illnesses have been reported. Consumers were asked to stop using the products and throw them away, or return them to the stores where they bought them. The company distributed the toothpaste in the South Florida area. The brands include ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride, ShiR Fresh Ice ShiR Mint Fluoride, and ShiR Fresh Cool ShiR Mint Fluoride. The FDA previously said it was concerned about potential risks of chronic exposure to DEG to children and people with kidney or liver disease. For more information and to find out the lot numbers, go to