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COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974

Consumer Protection Notice No. 4 of 2009

UNSAFE GOODS NOTICE

I, CHRIS BOWEN, Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, pursuant to sub-section 65C(7) of the Trade Practices Act 1974, hereby DECLARE that goods of the kind specified below are unsafe goods, in that it appears to me the goods will or may cause injury to a person.

Particulars of Goods:

Toothpaste containing more than 0.25% by weight of diethylene glycol (DEG).

Summary of reasons:

DEG is a toxic substance.

There have been reports of patient deaths and injuries in other countries over the past several years from ingesting diethylene glycol contaminated pharmaceutical preparations such as cough syrups.

Prior to the introduction of an interim ban under section 65C(5) of the Trade Practices Act, test reports indicated that toothpaste containing DEG was still appearing in the global market, including Australia.

Medium to long term exposure to DEG at significant levels in toothpaste may create unacceptable health risks, particularly to children and individuals with kidney or liver disease.

Dated this 4th day of March 2009

CHRIS BOWEN
Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs