Health Inspectorate Warns of Counterfeit “GC Tooth Mousse” Dental Product
Latvia's Health Inspectorate has received a Belgian authority's alert about a counterfeit medical device, “GC Tooth Mousse”, in which analysis found likely ingredients of industrial cleaning products. The fake has not been detected on the Latvian market so far.
Latvia's Health Inspectorate, which supervises the medical device market in the country, has received information from Belgium's competent authority about the distribution of a counterfeit medical device, “GC Tooth Mousse”, on the European Union market. The original product is made by GC America Inc. of the United States. According to the inspectorate, the counterfeit has not been found in Latvia at present, but original products are sold here, so consumers and industry professionals are urged to be careful.
What the analysis showed
The fake product was offered on the Polish market through the online trading platform Allegro. Laboratory analysis found, with more than 90% confidence, the likely presence of ingredients from industrial cleaning products. The product's spectrophotometric profile matches the characteristic features of two detergents: “Ajax Cleaner Powder — Oxygen Bleach” and “Comet Disinfecting Cleaner with Bleach”.
Possible health risk
Based on the safety data sheets of these detergents, the inspectorate says using the counterfeit may irritate or chemically damage the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract, and cause nausea, vomiting and other signs of acute poisoning.
What to do if in doubt
If a product is suspected to be fake, the inspectorate advises to:
- stop using it immediately;
- keep the packaging and proof of purchase;
- contact the product's distributor;
- inform the Health Inspectorate.
Although “GC Tooth Mousse” is intended for professional use, the inspectorate calls on consumers and dental professionals alike to check where products come from and to buy only from reliable, authorised suppliers. When buying a device in another country or on a foreign online platform, buyers should note that the oversight powers of Latvian authorities apply to devices placed on the Latvian market.
The responsible authorities continue to assess the information and monitor the situation on the EU market. Suspicious products can be reported to the inspectorate's Medical Devices Supervision Division by phone at 67081611.
