BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq's health ministry on Tuesday issued a warning that a popular brand of toothpaste made by consumer products giant Unilever contains diethylene glycol, a chemical used in car anti-freeze.
"After the standards and quality control department of the health ministry tested the French-made Signal 2 toothpaste brand, it showed that it contains diethylene glycol which is highly toxic if swallowed," the government said.
The health ministry has urged the government to ban the brand.
Unilever France spokeswoman Sophie Jayet in Paris, contacted by AFP, said Unilever products do not contain diethylene glycol.
"Unilever does not utilise this product, diethylene glycol. And our standards are the same all over the world," said Jayet, suggesting the product was likely a counterfeit.
Signal 2 is sold in Europe and other markets in the Middle East but not sold or produced in France.
Diethylene glycol was found in toothpaste and cough syrup two years ago in Latin America, resulting in the death of dozens of people. The tainted products were traced to China.
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