Chris Pearce MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, today issued an unsafe goods notice banning the supply of toothpaste containing more than 0.25% by weight of diethylene glycol (DEG).
“I have taken this action on the advice of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to protect consumers from the risk of adverse health effects from ingestion of toothpaste containing DEG,” Mr Pearce said.
Diethylene glycol has a meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to consumers, in particular children and individuals with kidney or liver disease. Although toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed, there is concern about unintentional swallowing or ingestion of toothpaste containing diethylene glycol, particularly if present in significant concentrations.
The ban follows a warning notice on toothpaste containing DEG on 12 June 2007, in which the Parliamentary Secretary advised consumers to discontinue using any toothpaste listing DEG as an ingredient.
Since that time, both the USA and Canada have taken further action to prevent the importation of toothpaste containing DEG. The Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) also announced on 11 July 2007 that it had banned the use of DEG in toothpaste.
The ban takes effect immediately. Suppliers, including retailers, must ensure that toothpaste supplied in Australia from this time forward does not contain greater than 0.25% by weight of DEG. This effectively means that DEG cannot be used as an ingredient in toothpaste sold in Australia.
“I again strongly urge all consumers to check the ingredient labelling on their toothpaste and dispose of any toothpaste previously purchased with diethylene glycol listed as an ingredient,” Mr Pearce said.
3 August 2007
MELBOURNE
Contact: Conor O’Brien 0402 970 515 or 03 9887 3890