Colgate finds fake toothpaste in 4 states

Company says counterfeit products may contain poisonous chemical; fake products can be identified by misspellings on label.

June 14 2007: 7:27 AM EDT

LONDON (CNNMoney.com) -- Fake "Colgate" toothpaste that may contain a poisonous chemical has been found in four states, Colgate-Palmolive said Thursday.

Colgate said the fake toothpaste may contain diethylene glycol, which the company never uses in its toothpaste. The company said it is working with the FDA to locate the source of the counterfeiting.

The fake toothpaste has been found in discount stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, the company said.

The fake products aren't manufactured or distributed by Colgate-Palmolive and can be identified because they say they are manufactured in South Africa or have misspellings on the label.

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