Imported Indian toothpaste a cause for concern again in Canada

The latest food scare to hit North America emanates this time over products imported from India rather than China.

This time the concern is over toothpaste from India which contains diethylene glycol a chemical used in antifreeze and follows a warning a month ago when it was revealed Neem Active Toothpaste with Calcium contained harmful bacteria.

Health Canada has issued a consumer warning regarding a batch of Neem Active toothpaste products manufactured by Calcutta Chemical Co. which contain dangerously high levels of the poison used in antifreeze.

Neem Active toothpaste does not have approval for sale in Canada, and Health Canada say the bacteria pose "additional significant health risks, especially to children and individuals with compromised immune systems."

Health Canada says ingesting the toothpaste could result in fever, urinary tract infection, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Despite the lack of official approval, the products are clearly on sale in Indian grocers in Canada and some retailers appear to be unaware of the warnings.

The spring and summer in the Americas has been dogged by repeated scares over counterfeit or poisonous products many of them imported from China.

Many Canadians are now questioning just how safe products from overseas are and how effective custom and health measures really are.