Gilchrist & Soames Initiates Urgent Worldwide Toothpaste Voluntary Recall
Indianapolis, Indiana, August 13, 2007: Gilchrist & Soames, an Indianapolis-based provider of toiletry products for the hotel
industry, has initiated a worldwide voluntary recall of its Gilchrist & Soames 0.65oz/18ml
toothpaste manufactured in China for the company by Ming Fai Enterprises International Co., LTD,
after independent tests showed some samples of the toothpaste contained diethylene glycol, or DEG.
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The United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") is not aware of any U.S. reports of
poisonings from toothpaste containing DEG. However, the agency is concerned about potential risks
from chronic exposure to DEG and exposure to DEG in certain populations, such as children and
individuals with kidney or liver disease. DEG in toothpaste has a low but meaningful risk of
toxicity and injury to these populations. Toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed, but FDA is
concerned about unintentional swallowing or ingestion of toothpaste containing DEG. This voluntary
recall is being conducted in cooperation with the FDA. The Company also has notified the Department
for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in the UK to enable it to notify the European
Commission to launch a RAPEX notification in the European Union.
Hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Barbados, Dominican Republic or Turks & Caicos
that received the recalled toothpaste from the company’s United States distribution center, and
those located in the U.K., Ireland, Spain, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the UAE
serviced by the company’s U.K. distribution center, are being asked to destroy any remaining
inventory.
Hotel guests, who may have received the recalled toothpaste from hotels in any of these countries,
should safely dispose of it.
“After receiving the FDA alert June 1 about tainted toothpaste manufactured in China, we immediately
contacted our two Chinese toothpaste suppliers and initiated a series of independent lab tests in
both Hong Kong and the United States to determine the possible presence of DEG,” said Kathie De Voe,
president of Gilchrist & Soames.
At the same time, Gilchrist & Soames stopped all outgoing shipments and quarantined all of its “Made
in China” toothpaste. The Company also communicated with all of its hotel clients and suggested that
they stop offering Chinese-made Gilchrist & Soames toothpaste to their guests until further
investigation and independent testing by Gilchrist & Soames and the FDA. The June 1 FDA Consumer
Alert was attached. The Company took these steps even though its toothpaste was not among those
cited in the FDA warning.
De Voe said, “The fifth round of our independent lab tests showed the presence of DEG in some
samples at levels exceeding FDA guidelines from one of our China suppliers. We immediately began the
process of initiating a voluntary recall of our complimentary-sized (.65oz/18ml) Gilchrist & Soames
toothpaste. We want to ensure that any contaminated toothpaste is safely disposed of and/or
destroyed.”
Gilchrist & Soames is notifying its hotel clients in those countries where the toothpaste was
distributed to discard their inventories. The Company is working with each hotel on a guest
notification program. Materials will inform guests about this voluntary recall, including the FDA
Web address for current toothpaste recalls (http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/toothpaste.html),
as well as a toll-free telephone number at Gilchrist & Soames U.S. headquarters (1-866-587-6542)
that hotel guests may call if they desire more information about the recall. The European Union Web
address for further information about toothpaste manufactured in China is http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/dyna/rapex/rapex_archives_en.cfm. Local contact numbers in Europe for
Gilchrist & Soames are as follows: Germany – 004908000004988, Ireland – 00353 1800932251, France –
0033 0805114958, Spain – 0034800098797, Switzerland - 0041 0800 001285, Hungary – 0036 0680018077,
Italy – 0039 800986779, UK – 08003112139, Belgium – 0032 080048630.
De Voe said, “We are thankful that the small size of our tubes (.65oz/18ml) may help reduce the
risk. However, we strongly encourage consumers to dispose of any of the recalled toothpaste they may
still have.”
Gilchrist & Soames is working with its global supply chain partners to be certain they meet the
standards and specifications outlined in its new testing criteria. New testing to confirm the
absence of DEG will be part of that process. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of
the FDA, and the European Authorities.
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Editor’s Note: Electronic photos of the FDA-recalled toothpaste product are available upon request
or at the Gilchrist & Soames Web site: gilchristsoames.com.
Gilchrist & Soames is a leading provider of toiletry products for the hotel industry. Gilchrist &
Soames is based in Indianapolis, Ind.
FOR INTERVIEWS WITH GILCHRIST & SOAMES, CONTACT:
Cindy Duran or Erik Johnson
Borshoff Johnson Matthews
(317) 631-6400
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