CBP make another counterfeit Oral-B seizure in Philly

US customs has made its second seizure of fake Oral-B electric toothbrush heads in the last five months, intercepting a shipment in Philadelphia.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers uncovered 1,440 counterfeit Oral-B heads at Philadelphia International Airport en route to an address in Joliet, Illinois. If genuine, the products would have had a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $12,274. In November, Philadelphia CBP officers seized 20,400 knock-off Oral-B heads shipped from China to New Jersey.

In the latest action, CBP officers initially examined the express delivery shipment from Turkey on February 14 and discovered 260 four-packs and 200 two-packs of the toothbrush heads, though to have originated in China.

Officers detained the shipment as suspected counterfeit consumer goods due to poor packaging and questionable quality. The agency subsequently verified through Oral-B’s trademark holder – Procter & Gamble – that the products were counterfeit.

“Counterfeit toothbrush heads pose a serious health threat to consumers, as do all counterfeit healthcare products,” said CBP in a statement.

“Counterfeit brush heads are manufactured in unsanitary facilities with substandard materials that may sicken users or cause bleeding to a user’s gums or mouth, and structural defects may cause the brush head to detach and potentially choke users.”