Hotel toiletries supplier recalls toxic toothpaste

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A leading supplier of toiletries for luxury hotels recalled complimentary tubes of Chinese-made toothpaste worldwide Monday after tests showed some contain a potentially toxic chemical.

It was the latest in a series of recalls of Chinese-made goods — toothpaste, children's toys, tires and pet food — because of shoddy and perhaps dangerous manufacturing methods.

Gilchrist & Soames said it is recalling its 18-milliliter or 0.65-ounce tubes with the name Gilchrist & Soames on it. The company said Monday some samples showed the tubes contained diethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze that can be toxic to the kidneys and liver.

"They're just kind of the little complimentary size you get in the hotels, and it's branded Gilchrist & Soames," said Cindy Duran, a spokeswoman for the company, which is based in Indianapolis.
West Virginia's Greenbrier resort uses Gilchrist & Soames lotion, shampoo, conditioner and bath gel, but not the brand's toothpaste, said spokeswoman Lynn Swann. The White Sulphur Springs resort uses Colgate toothpaste.