BEIJING, May 23 (Reuters) - China's handling of the tainted pet food scare in the United States was "shameful", but other countries should not use that as an excuse to discriminate against Chinese products, a state newspaper said on Wednesday.

"Our quality watchdogs' contradictory statements regarding responsibility for the sensational pet food scandal was a shameful example of lack of professionalism," the government-run China Daily said in an editorial.

"They first denied, then soon admitted, that the contaminated pet food originated in China," added the English-language newspaper, which is often used by Beijing to get its message to the outside world.

"To restore and maintain consumer confidence, our quality watchdogs have an obligation to demonstrate that Chinese exports are safe," it added.

U.S. consumers have been alarmed by a spate of pet deaths blamed on tainted wheat gluten and rice protein exported from China, as well as reports of toxins and disease in other Chinese exports.

In the latest cases, the Dominican Republic has banned the sale of two brands of Chinese toothpaste because they may contain a lethal chemical responsible for mass poisoning deaths in Panama last year.

Nearly 90,000 units of the toothpaste, imported from Panama and sold under the brand names Excel and Mr. Cool, have been confiscated by authorities in the Caribbean country since late last week, the Dominican health secretary said.

Panama pulled thousands of tubes of the toothpaste from stores last week after tests showed they contained high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in engine coolants.

But the newspaper said it hoped the recent incidents would not be used as a reason to target all Chinese products -- which it added were "very reasonably priced" and "generally well-made and safe" -- for political reasons.

"While calling on our own manufacturers and quality inspectors to place more emphasis on safety, we urge all beneficiaries of Chinese exports to maintain cool heads amid possibly unfair allegations against Chinese exports," it said.

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