Issuing a warning Monday, Heath Canada cautioned consumers and retailers that after other counterfeit brand name products, toothbrushes falsely labeled as Colgate Massager, Colgate Navigator, Oral B Classic 40, Oral B Contura and Colgate 360, have also been found on the Canadian market.

According to Health Canada's advisory: 'If an imitation is suspected, consumers should stop using them immediately, as the quality, safety and effectiveness of counterfeit products cannot be assured.' All retailers carrying stocks from Canadian importer AG Liquidation have been advised to check the authenticity of their products and remove all those found to be cheap imitations.

Last July, a sham Oral B Classic 40 toothbrush was sold, causing toothbrush bristles to dislodge and catch in the throat of a consumer.

You can identify genuine Colgate toothbrushes by the packaging which is labeled in English and French only i. e. 'Distr. by/par: Colgate-Palmolive Canada Inc.', including a lot code moulded into the brush handle just under the brush head.

While, Proctor and Gamble's Oral B toothbrushes, can be identified by the Oral B logo manufactured as part of the handle mould. Fake Oral B brushes are known to have the logo printed in silver on peel-away labels.

There is a voluntary recall on the part of AG Liquidation for Oral B Classic 40, Oral B Contura, Colgate 360, Colgate Navigator and Colgate Massager sold throughout Canada.

You can report any problems involving the toothbrushes to the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate toll-free hotline,
1-800-267-9675. Consumers requiring more information can contact Health Canada's public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.