Alert on counterfeit Colgate Triple Action Toothpaste

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Wednesday, the Ministry of Health alerted the general population about the detection of a counterfeit version of Colgate Triple Action Toothpaste in Panama.

According to the Ministry, the counterfeit product was detected on September 13th in the provinces of Chiriquí and Herrera in Panama.

The Ministry of Health of Panama reported the counterfeit product is a 75-milliliter tube, has a lot seal number L9099CT1034, with an expiration date of 04/22, and made in Guatemala. Therefore, a prohibition order for the sale of this toothpaste brand was issued in that country.

In Costa Rica, the Ministry also gave the order "under the precautionary principle, the population is requested not to use this product."

The Ministry ordered all supermarkets, pharmacies or stores of any kind to suspend the sale of this product.

Related to recent alert on counterfeit products, as A.M. Costa Rica reported on Sept 12th, the Ministry of Economy issued a health alert for the voluntary withdrawal of hummus products, from the Lantana and Pital Pal brands.

These products sold at PriceSmart supermarkets were identified as a risk of having the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium.

The products subject to this recall, are Roasted Garlic Hummus Lantana brand, Pital Pal Hummus, Classic Hummus Sabra brand, and Lantana brand Black Bean Hummus.

According to U.S. Medline, Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria found in soil and water.

It can be in a variety of raw foods as well as in processed foods and foods made from unpasteurized milk.

Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the colder temperature of the refrigerator.

Symptoms include fever and chills, headache, upset stomach, and vomiting. Treatment is with antibiotics.

Anyone can get the illness. But it is most likely to affect pregnant women and unborn babies, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.

According to the Ministry, the bacteria were found inside the facilities of the production plant in the U.S., during an inspection carried out by the Food and Drug Administration.

"The recall is made as a precautionary measure and to avoid any possible consumption since this bacterium has not been identified in the final hummus products, nor has it been reported in cases that have affected any person," said the Ministry in its statement.

The distribution company PriceSmart received notification about the bacteria on July 17th, then proceeded to withdraw the products from supermarkets, said the Ministry.

"In total, 2,240 units of these products were sold," the Ministry said in its statement.

PriceSmart reported that it adopted the following precautionary measures:

- The existence of affected products was identified by the quantity imported by PriceSmart, a product acquired by partners, and the remaining product.

- As of July 17, the product was removed from the sales floor far from the reach of customers.

- From July 19th, notices or product warnings were placed in each supermarket.

- Customers were contacted.

- Current product stock will be destroyed in the presence of a notary public.

Complaints about the sale of these products can be made at Ministry call center (506) 2223-0333.

The A.M. Costa Rica team asks readers to share these alerts among their contacts.

---------------------------------
Have you seen these products in any of the supermarkets in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com