HONG KONG: 90% of children's toothpaste contaminated with arsenic and/or lead

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HONG KONG: 90% of children's toothpaste contaminated with arsenic and/or lead

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NOTE: A few years ago, children's toothpaste was found to also contain excessive amounts of fluoride.

Children's toothpaste found safety issues including allergenic fragrance

The Standard - October 17, 2022

Thirty percent of children's toothpaste failed to comply with the mainland standard on pH Value and/or fluoride Content, and 90 percent tested with trace amounts of heavy metals that might lead to health risks.

The results came from a research report conducted by the Consumer Council which tested 30 kinds of toothpaste with retail prices ranging from HK$10 to HK$100 from March to May this year.

Among the 13 kinds of toothpaste labelled for children, three models were found with a pH level that was too low, failing to comply with the mainland standard and might lead to damage to the tooth enamel.

Besides, two children's toothpaste models that claim to contain fluoride, including Baby Coccole Baby Toothpaste (Apple) and Elmex KinderZahnpasta, the fluoride contents were too low and might not be able to strengthen the teeth.

Sixteen models of all 30 kinds were detected with allergenic fragrance, of which four had a detected amount that exceeded the upper limit required labelling set by the European Union regulation, yet did not display the name of the allergens in the list of ingredients.

Colgate Bubble Fruit Flavour tested the high amount of 0.013 percent of allergenic fragrance eugenol.

Furthermore, 27 models out of 30 were detected with trace amounts of heavy metals (arsenic and/or lead). Though the levels did not exceed the relevant standards, the Council reminds consumers to be mindful of the risks of ingesting these substances over a prolonged period.

"Although all the brands of tested toothpaste have not been detected with prohibited substances set by the European Union directive," said the Consumer Council, "only 23 of 30 were labelled with detailed information of the ingredients in Chinese and English on the tube or outer packaging."

SOURCE:
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking ... -fragrance
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