Colgate also said on its web page that the product in question does not appear to contain fluoride but may have Diethylene Glycol in it. Diethylene Glycol is not an ingredient in Colgate toothpaste.
The counterfeit contains a label with misspellings and states that its made in South Africa. However, Colgate does not bring in toothpaste from the country into the U.S.
Colgate is working with the Food and Drug and Administration to determine the maker of the false product. The company said it has no connection with the fake item and that its neither manufactured nor distributed by Colgate.
"We are aware that toothpaste is something that's been counterfeited in the past," Food and Drug Administration official, Doug Arbesfeld said. "We don't want to alarm people unnecessarily."
According to an AP report, MS USA Trading Inc. in North Bergen, New Jersey said the problem was ascertained by the FDA during standard testing procedures. However, no illnesses have been reported so far.
The company also confirmed that the toothpaste was imported from South Africa and sold to discount stores in four states. The packaging contains the wording, "Made in South Africa," and comes in Regular, Gel, Triple, and Herbal versions.
The disturbing news comes two weeks after the FDA issued a warning regarding toothpaste made in China, which was found to have DEG in them. The agency has also issued an import alert to deny import of Chinese toothpaste from entering the U.S.
The FDA said in an updated Import Alert in June that DEG has been "improperly use in low-cost substitute for glycerin and propylene glycol in pharmaceutical preparations," poisoning and killing people world-wide.
In related news, Colgate announced that its products made locally in South Africa are "100 percent" safe to use in that country.
Colgate shares fell nearly a percent to $67.01 in Thursday's trading.
Consumers who may have gotten hold of the counterfeit item can call Colgate at 1 800 468 6502.
