New Zealand has issued a warning not to use certain brands of Chinese toothpaste because they may contain a toxic substance

The New Zealand director-general of health has issued a warning not to use certain brands of toothpaste because they may contain the toxic substance diethylene glycol.

Diethylene glycol may cause harm in some people, in particular, young children or those with liver or kidney disease.

The Ministry of Health said: The products—sold through specialty stores and discount chain stores—should no longer be on sale as retailers and distributors were requested to stop selling them whilst the investigation was carried out.

The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) tested a total of 52 toothpaste products believed to have been manufactured in China - 16 of these have been found to contain unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol.