By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Health said a snack labeled Bizcocho Norteño contains false information on its pack which could cause health problems for people with celiac disease.

According to the ministry, the snack pack is labeled as gluten-free, which is false because laboratory tests have confirmed "this product could contain gluten values higher than allowed for human consumption, representing a risk to the health of the people with celiac disease."

The ministry is in the process of seizing products in supermarkets and stores. In addition, authorities requested snack distributors to recall the product.

Authorities called on the population to report any suspicion of sales of this product in their community. Complaints can be made to line 506-2223-0333.


Another recent alert was issued in October about two types of Colgate brand toothpaste. Counterfeit copies of the real product have entered the market.

According to the ministry, the first alerts about Colgate Triple Action and Colgate Double Freshness were issued by the health authorities of Panamá in September.

"The detection of counterfeit toothpaste units in that country was in Chiriqui and Herrera provinces," said the ministry in its statement.

However, after the publication of the alert, the ministry reported that complaints were received from citizens about the presence of fake products in Costa Rica, mostly in small grocery stores.

The agents of the ministry made the seizures of the fake Colgate products at the places where the complaints had been reported. Then tests at the Laboratory of Analysis and Pharmaceutical Counseling confirmed that the product contains an ingredient known as diethylene glycol or SDR, which is not declared on the product labeling and that may be harmful to health, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the SDR is a compound that is used as an antifreeze and sometimes as a glycerin replacement thickener. It is rapidly absorbed through the digestive and respiratory tract and by prolonged skin contact.

"Central American health regulations prohibit the use of SDRs in cosmetic products," said the ministry in its statement.

Also, the company Colgate Costa Rica confirmed that counterfeit products were found and said the fakes display the following two characteristics:

- The production lot number is L9099GT1025.

- The expiration date on the box is 04/22, which means April 2022.

According to Colgate-Palmolive, all original toothpaste is valid for two years from the date of manufacture. "This allows us to recognize fake products because they indicate expiration in 2022," said the company in its statement.

Other features associated with the counterfeit product, according to Colgate are:

- The mentholated taste is a little noticeable.

- The taste and smell are strange and do not match the smell of the original products.

- The consistency of toothpaste is very viscous.

- The tube is more inflexible and the lot code is on the front part of the product. The original version displays the lot code in the back part.

- It is more difficult to open the case because it was sealed with silicone.

- The colors of the box are more blurred and not as bright as in the original box.

Due to the risk to the health of consumers, ministry specialists recommend:

- Do not sell, buy or use the products with the characteristics indicated above.

- In case of suspicion of a false toothpaste, deliver the product to the Ministry of Health.




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