Chasing the source of the counterfeit toothpaste, we end up at FHT Enterprises:

[Wahid Choksi, who owns a chain of discount stores called Everything for a Dollar Store,] said he also alerted his supplier, Toronto-based FHT Enterprises Inc. He had ordered the toothpaste from the company on March 26 and was shown a sample with a Canadian label, he said.

Athar Tayyabi, of FHT, said he was also shown a Canadian sample before importing 1,440 tubes from a company in New York. He said Mr. Choksi's chain was the only client he had sold them to.

"I'm going to throw it in the garbage," he said of the remaining inventory. Mr. Tayyabi would not disclose the name of his American supplier.

Now here's the odd thing. FHT Enterprises describes itself as a supplier to dollar stores, specializing in electronic components like cables and headphones and such:

Located in the heart of toronto's warehousing/wholesale district, we specialize in distributing to discount, convenience, and dollar stores all accross ontario. This includes, but not limited to, electronics, toys, dvd/cdr media, movies, games, and much more.

Industry Focus: Computer Cables & Connectors , Joysticks & Game Controllers , Earphone & Headphone , Keyboards

Contact Person: Mr. Tyler Asif
Job Title: Director/CEO/General Manager
Address: Gordon Baker Rd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Other directories list FHT Enterprises solely as an electronics concern:

F H T Enterprises Inc

582 Gordon Baker Rd, Toronto, ON, Canada (Add Company Info)
Phone: (416) 497-9444
SIC:Electronic Parts and Equipment, NEC
Line of Business:Electronic Parts And Equipment, Nec, Nsk

I used to work just off Gordon Baker Road, and I can tell you the whole area is dominated by electronics retailers and wholesalers.

Am I looking at the wrong FHT Enterprises? I can't find another company with the same name. Or is this an interesting view into just how free-wheeling this import business is? We buy anything from anyone and sell it anywhere, regardless of what it says on our business card.

I'd love to know what was listed on the import paperwork for the shipping container that brought this toothpaste into Canada.

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