Tainted toothpaste in luxury hotels

A chemical that thickens antifreeze has turned up again in a Chinese-made toothpaste, this time under a brand found in luxury hotels around the world.

Gilchrist & Soames said Monday it is recalling its 18-milliliter, or 0.65-ounce, tubes of complementary toothpaste with the company name on it. The company said some samples showed the toothpaste contained diethylene glycol, a chemical that can lead to liver and kidney damage.

It was the latest in a series of recalls of Chinese-made goods – toothpaste, children’s toys, tires and pet food – because of manufacturing methods that many say are shoddy or dangerous.

In June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to avoid several brands of toothpaste made in China because the products may contain diethylene glycol.

HOUSTON

ExpressJet adding flights in California

Starting Sept. 9, ExpressJet Airlines will add flights connecting Bakersfield and Sacramento, giving regional air travelers one more destination in California, the Houston-based carrier announced Monday.

Earlier this summer, ExpressJet launched nonstop flights from Spokane to San Diego, Los Angeles and Sacramento. The new service means the Spokane-to-Sacramento aircraft will continue on to Bakersfield, arriving at 7:37 p.m. daily. Those flights leave at 4:15 p.m.

Passengers leaving Bakersfield can fly nonstop to Sacramento and remain onboard for the continuing flight to Spokane, arriving at 10:30 a.m. Those flights leave Bakersfield at 7 a.m.

The added flights are a response to the need for more flights from Bakersfield to popular destinations in California and Washington state, ExpressJet CEO Jim Ream said in a news release.

“This market responded favorably to the introduction of convenient nonstop flights to San Diego, and we are happy to give Bakersfield more time-saving service to Sacramento and Spokane.”

From staff and wire reports