The National Consumers Forum has called on health authorities in the Seychelles to take immediate action following an alert raised by international consumer groups that dietylene glycol, which can be deadly poisonous, may be found in certain toothpastes. In a release on Wednesday in Victoria, the organization said dietylene glycol, an industrial solvent and a major ingredient in antifreeze, is also a deadly poison.
The international consumer groups have warned that dietylene glycol as an ingredient in counterfeit toothpaste made in China caused over 300 deaths last year.
It pointed out that several cheap brands of toothpaste have been recalled in Sierra Leone after it was found they contained dietylene glycol.
However, the organization said that it could not yet confirm the presence of the substance in toothpaste being sold in the local market but that the risk exists.
The organization said it has informed the Seychelles Bureau of Standards but unfortunately there is no law in force to regulate the importation of toothpaste.
It said it has sent some toothpaste samples to the Bureau for verification but asked the public to cooperate by verifying the authenticity of toothpaste before buying.
Source African Press Agency
