Fla. company recalls China-made toothpaste

MIAMI – A Florida company issued a nationwide recall Monday of toothpaste it imported from China and distributed to wholesalers, saying that the product may contain a poisonous chemical.

Gold City Enterprise LLC said the roughly 170,000 recalled Shir toothpaste products may contain diethylene glycol, a thickening agent used in antifreeze and as a cheaper substitute for the sweetener glycerin. No injuries or illnesses have been reported.

The recalled toothpaste brands are Shir Fresh Mint Fluoride, Shir Fresh Ice, Shir Mint Fluoride, Shir Fresh Cool and Shir Mint Fluoride. Consumers were asked to stop using the products and throw them away, or return them to the stores where they bought them.

The Hallandale-based company asked retailers to examine inventories and notify customers about the recall.