New test results on counterfeit Colgate toothpaste indicate the phoney products may contain even more harmful bacteria than first suspected, Health Canada officials said Monday.

The federal agency first issued a warning on June 29, telling consumers that counterfeit toothpaste products, labelled as Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Herbal and Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Maximum Cavity Protection, contained high levels of harmful bacteria.

In an updated warning released on Monday, Health Canada revealed it has identified a third bacterium in the bogus Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Maximum Cavity Protection. The identified environmental micro-organism poses a similar threat to other previously identified threats found in the product.

The bacteria involved are especially harmful to children and those with compromised immune systems. If swallowed, the toothpaste could trigger abdominal pains, vomiting and severe diarrhea leading to potentially life-threatening dehydration.

The counterfeit product is marked as being 100 millilitres and is labelled "Manufactured in South Africa." Misspellings on the packaging include "isclinically" "SOUTH AFRLCA" and "South African Dental Assoxiation."

Health Canada officials say the toothpaste product was sold in the discount chain Everything for a Dollar Store. Canadian distributors have removed the product from the marketplace.

Consumers should check products for an eight-digit drug identification number, a natural product number or a homeopathic medicine number. These numbers indicate Health Canada has assessed the products for safety, effectiveness and quality.

Officials said they would notify Canadians of any health risks once tests had been completed, but advised consumers to discontinue use of the counterfeit product and the toothbrush used with the phoney toothpaste.

"The product should be kept out of the reach of children," Health Canada said in a release last week. "Consumers should seal the tube and put the tube in a sealed bag. They should also wash their hands after handling the tube."

3 more brands contain DEG

In a separate announcement on July 5, Health Canada said testing had shown the presence of diethylene glycol — a chemical used to make antifreeze — in three more unapproved Chinese toothpaste products imported into Canada.

Health Canada officials said they have found a total of 24 brands of Chinese toothpaste containing DEG in Canada, none of which had been approved for sale in the country.

Photos of the products tested can be found on Health Canada's website.