Chinese toothpaste recalled in Japan

Millions of tubes of toothpaste made in China have been recalled in Japan after a chemical used in antifreeze was discovered in them, the Financial Times reported. Three companies, Nihon Grande Champagne, Soshin and Korai have recalled nearly 5 million tubes of the toothpaste, which contains diethylene glycol. The chemical is used to substitute the sweetener glycerin in drugs and food and as a thickening agent in antifreeze. The recalled toothpaste was mainly distributed in Japanese hotels. The Japanese government issued a warning on the product Thursday. The commerce ministry denied that the toothpaste was dangerous. "It can be said that the quality of China's exports are all guaranteed," Wang Xinpei, a commerce ministry official, said. Chinese toothpaste was also recalled in South America in May.