Abu Dhabi, Oct. 8th, 2007 (WAM)---The UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE) and the Secretariat General of Municipalities have banned Monday Chinese-made toothpastes that may contain DEG (diethylene glycol), a a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze.

The potentially poisonous Chinese toothpastes are sold on the UAE markets under the following brands: Best, Smile, Acura, Special 2, Shine, Moon Light, Clean Up and Zane.

The Ministry of Economy said it issued warnings to all suppliers and departments in the UAE to ban the said brands which are hazardous to consumers' health.

The move was taken upon receiving information from the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the presence of the hazardous chemical in toothpastes imported from China, said the Head of Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy Dr. Hashim Al Nuaimi.

He called upon all consumers to stop using these toothpastes and to use the Ministry's hotline to inform the Consumer Protection Department upon seeing any of them on the market.

Diethylene glycol (DEG) is an organic compound, described by the structural formula : HO-CH2-CH2-O-CH2-CH2-OH. It is a clear, hygroscopic odorless liquid. It is miscible with water and polar organic solvents such as alcohols and ethers.