U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 1,440 counterfeit Oral-B electric toothbrush heads, which were shipped from Turkey and headed for an Illinois property. If they had been authentic heads made by Procter & Gamble, they would have a value of $12,274.
This marks the second time border agents in Philadelphia seized a large shipment of fake Oral-B toothbrush heads. In November 2019, they seized about 20,000 of the brand's toothbrush heads that were shipped from China and headed to a New Jersey property, according to the customs agency. If they had been authentic, they would have been valued at about $96,000.
The most recent seizure occurred on February 24 after examining an express delivery shipment from Turkey that consisted of 260 four-packs and 200 two-packs of toothbrush heads.
Like all fake healthcare products, counterfeit toothbrush heads pose a serious health threat to consumers. They are often manufactured in unsanitary facilities with substandard materials. Using brush heads that were made under those conditions puts people at risk for sickness and mouth and gum injuries. Also, structural defects may cause the brush head to detach, creating a potential choking hazard, the agency noted.
"Customs and Border Protection will continue to work with our trade and consumer safety partners to identify and seize counterfeit consumer goods that threaten American shoppers, such as these potentially dangerous toothbrush heads," said Anne Maricich, acting director of field operations for the agency's Baltimore office.
The agency encourages consumers to protect themselves by only buying genuine health and hygiene products from reputable sources.
