The Consumers' Foundation has recently released a survey, indicating that out of the 27 toothpastes, 2 have been found to contain a high level of aluminum hydroxide, which will possibly cause dementia and anemia. In response, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection said that they will discuss limiting the amount of this particular substance in consumer products.

The Consumers Foundation recently tested 27 samples of toothpaste being sold on the market, and discovered that Sunstar's LARK whitening toothpaste and Lion's toothpaste for sensitive teeth contained, respectively, more than 1,000 ppm and 100 ppm of aluminum hydroxide.

The other 25 samples were found to contain less than 100 ppm of aluminum hydroxide. According to the CF, accidentally swallowed toothpaste accumulated over the long term can be detrimental to human health.

Doctors say that ingested aluminum can build up in people with chronic renal conditions or anemia, leading to dementia or acute anemia.

As Taiwan currently has no standards for aluminum content in toothpaste, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection has scheduled meetings for later this month to discuss the issue.

In the meantime, experts say that there is no need for panic as the majority of ingested aluminum is expelled from the body,

and that checking the labels on toothpaste, using a moderate amount of toothpaste when brushing teeth, and rinsing the mouth out well can prevent accidental ingestion.