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Toxic Toothpaste Turns Up in Costa Rica
The Ministerio de Salud (Health officials) said
Friday they have seized more than 350 tubes of
Chinese-made toothpaste tainted with a deadly
chemical reportedly found in tubes sold
elsewhere in the world.
Health minister, Dr. Avila, also said her
department issued a nationwide alert although
there have been no reports of anyone falling
ill.
Diethylene glycol, or DEG, is a thickening agent
used as a low-cost - but frequently deadly -
substitute for glycerin, a sweetener commonly
used in drugs.
DEG was blamed for the deaths of at least 51
people in Panama last year after it was mixed
into cough syrup, another case with possible
ties to China.
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