The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers in America to avoid using toothpaste made in China, and has issued an import alert to prevent toothpaste containing the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG) from entering the United States. DEG is used in antifreeze and as a solvent. Out of caution, FDA suggests that consumers throw away such toothpastes due to concern that these products may contain diethylene glycol, also known as diglycol or diglycol stearate.