The National Committee for Oral Health, which was set up with the approval of China's Ministry of Health, was recently closed and investigated for its 'inappropriate behaviors'.

As a result, some domestic toothpaste makers have been seriously affected as their products have to be sealed up or withdrawn from the market. Reported to be never qualified for anything more than promoting public awareness on tooth health, the Group had given certificates to a variety of brands of toothpaste, toothbrushes and chewing gum.

Among others, the Group was said to have received a donation of RMB10 million from P&G after P&G used its logo in its television ads in 2002. P&G said that the money was donated to the organization with the purpose of improving dental health and it has nothing to do with its toothpaste Crest's certification.

With the shutdown of the organization, toothpaste makers cannot use the logo of the organization any longer, though they still have a huge amount of packages with that logo. Also, some products which have already been put into the market and contain that logo would face a risk of seizure.