Fake Paste

If you're a Colgate toothpaste user, be aware - some counterfeit tubes containing a chemical used in antifreeze and brake fluid have been found in Guelph and Halifax.

You may not really look at the box of toothpaste you pick off the shelves, but with the potentially dangerous phonies on the market, Paul Duchesne of Health Canada says there are some things to look for.

"Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eight-digit drug identification number, a natural product number or a homeopathic medicine number on the label."

The fake tubes have several spelling mistakes - including the name - "Coigate", have no french and are labelled as being made in South Africa.

Duchesne says the phonies have been found in dollar stores in Guelph and in Halifax.

"We haven't received any complaints at all.  We are monitoring on that.  If we do become aware of (any health problems stemming from the phonies), we'll follow up and find out where the product was purchased, and then follow the trail from there."

The counterfeit Colgate has also been found in the US - and two people in New york were taken to hospital for nausea and stomach pain after using the fake paste.