It's pretty obvious which is the counterfeit Colgate in this picture. But what if the product were almost identical in every respect? How could the consumer differentiate? Is the consumer really concerned if he/she can get the coiunterfeit product for a knock-down price? What are the risks associated with counterfeit products?Colgate-Palmolive has announced that counterfeit tubes of its Colgate toothpaste containing a poisonous substance have been discovered at stores in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. At present, there are no reports of anyone becoming sick after using the counterfeit products, which appear to have come from China. The poisonous compound diethylene glycol (DEG), which is used in antifreeze, has been discovered in the counterfeit toothpaste. This chemical, if ingested, can lead to kidney failure.
There was very little to differentiate the counterfeit product from the real thing. The suspicions of observant consumers were raised, however, when they noticed package misspellings such as "isclinically," "SOUTH AFRLCA" and "South Arican Dental Assoxiation" on the package.
Colgate-Palmolive has said it does not import toothpaste from South Africa.
IPR and Counterfeiting is one of the many subjects covered on Security Management Stage 3, 24 September – 5 October 2007. For further details and a full syllabus, contact Janet.
