Brands of toothpaste that do not contain fluoride will be removed from supermarket shelves by health inspectors. It is the result of the First Toothpaste Standard for Fiji endorsed by Cabinet last year and which came into effect on January 1. The removal of the toothpaste brands is part of the Trade Standards and Quality Control Decree of 1992.
One of the major reasons why health authorities want only fluoridated toothpaste is the high cases of dental carries in children below six years old. According to the 2004 oral health survey, 86 per cent of children below six years of age were found to have dental carries.
Considering that fluoride is an anti-dental carries active agent, the authorities want all toothpaste sold in supermarkets to contain fluoride. Health Ministry spokesman Peni Namotu yesterday confirmed toothpaste without fluoride would be removed from supermarket shelves.
“The First Toothpaste Standard for Fiji implies that all toothpaste sold in Fiji must have fluoride,” he said. “It includes all imported and locally-manufactured toothpaste. Toothpaste without fluoride will be removed from the shelves by health inspectors. Some companies have already removed the products but our inspectors are carrying out checks at supermarkets and shops.”
Mr Namotu said the First Toothpaste Standard was the result of extensive talks between the ministry, Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Fiji Dental Association, Consumer Council, Fiji National University and Fiji Pharmaceutical Society.
He said a paper by the FNU and FDA found scientific evidence that there was a need for toothpaste in Fiji to be fluoridated.
“We will monitor all new toothpaste products that will be coming into the country. The toothpaste must have proper and clear labelling in English, proper packaging, storage condition and expiry date should be stated. There should be no exaggeration or unsubstantial claims on the package and the container or dispensing system should be such that it does not get damaged.”
Mr Namotu said the toothpaste should have clear demarcation to state if it is for children only and the age range.
“If anyone does not comply with the legislation, then there are legal actions to be taken but I can’t specify the penalty now.”
Source: Fiji Times
This is f*****g insane! Fluoride is a highly neurotoxic and carcinogenic industrial waste product added to water (in some countries) and to toothpaste under the pretext that it prevents tooth decay. The fluoride ingested, along with the high vaccination rate and the Fijian education system will ensure that Fijian children will become neurologically and immunologically damaged adults.
I support Bainarama because he is cleaning up some of the endemic corruption in Fiji, but he obvioulsy doesn’t realise that like vaccination, fluoridation is an organised criminal enterprise dressed up as a public health measure by means of junk science.
When US dentist Weston Price investigated the dental and general health of native people all over the world including Fiji in the 1930s, he found that wherever people were eating their traditional diet, they had superb teeth and excellent health. It was only when they started to eat refined European foods such as sugar and white flour that they started to suffer from tooth decay, poor health and crowded teeth due to degenerating bone structure. Tooth decay is caused by wron diet, NOT a lack of fluoride or tooth brushing! Consequently, this silly law has been foisted on the Fijian people by idiots and criminals.