Fake brand-name toothpaste containing a toxic substance has been found in one outlet in Ireland and withdrawn from sale, the Department of Health said today.
The fake product, which is illegal, is falsely packaged and labelled as 'Sensodyne' and has now been withdrawn, the Department said in a statement.
"It is identical to product which had previously been identified on sale in the UK and is contained in cartons labelled in both English and Arabic script."
The fake product contains diethylene glycol which is toxic if ingested. However, the Department said that as toothpaste would only be ingested in small quantities - if at all - there is "no significant risk to public health".
"There is no evidence that significant quantities of the fake product are on sale here but the Irish Medicines Board and Environmental Health Officers of the Health Service Executive (HSE) are keeping the matter under review to ensure that public health is safeguarded," the statement added.
"Anyone who has purchased the fake product should discard it. Toothpaste purchased in Ireland which is labelled in English only is genuine. The public need only be concerned if the labelling is both in English and Arabic."