Investigators are following up reports in Beijing and Jiangsu province that a contaminated toothpaste containing a
deadly chemical has been exported from China
to Central America, according to AP. Factories are being questioned about the presence of small amounts of
diethylene glycol in their products. It is primarily used to keep toothpaste moist but permitted
under Chinese rules as it is deemed not pose a direct health risk. Earlier in May, China's cabinet ordered a
thorough crackdown on unsafe practices in the food industry after pet food
ingredients from China
tainted with the mildly toxic chemical melamine were blamed for the deaths of
dogs and cats in North America. A joint task
force made up of both customs and the State Food and Drug Administration officials has been
formed to investigate the toothpaste contamination reports.
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