Following bans in Panama, United States and Singapore for Chinese toothpaste, Hong Kong Customs is now asking local residents to stop using toothpaste under the three brands of Maxam, Sanqi and Tianqi.

According to local media, these three toothpastes reportedly contain bad ingredients, and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China has now initiated an investigation on the three toothpastes after hearing about the Hong Kong ban. Retail outlets are being asked to recall the products.

Hong Kong's Department of Health advised that under certain circumstances, using the toothpaste with DEG content of 0.21 per cent to 7.5 per cent daily for tooth brushing could lead to DEG absorption above the tolerable daily intake level as allocated by the Scientific Committee of Food of the European Union. Department of Health recommends that the public should stop using the concerned toothpaste to protect their health.

However, Guangxi Aoqili Holding Company, the manufacturer of Tianqi Special Effect TCM Toothpaste, said the ingredients contained in their toothpaste are at the normal level, so they won't stop selling the products in the mainland.

Kunming Toothpaste Company, maker of Sanqi Toothpaste, is reportedly suspicious of the problematic Sanqi brand toothpaste identified by Hong Kong Customs and says they should be counterfeit products. Shanghai White Cat Holding Company the manufacturer of Maxam branded toothpaste, also said that they strictly followed the relevant standards in making the toothpaste and there should not be a problem with their products.

According to the Hong Kong Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, no person shall import, manufacture or supply consumer goods unless the consumer goods comply with the general safety requirement. A person who commits the offense is liable on first conviction to a fine of HK$100,000 and to imprisonment for one year; and on subsequent conviction to a fine of HK$500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

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