I'LL HAVE TWO EGG ROLLS -- PLEASE HOLD THE KEROSENE!
I am one of many Americans who feel that we have become too dependent upon China. Virtually everything we see these days has “Made in China” stamped on it. Computers, phones, clothing and almost all plastic products. My concerns have ranged from economics (with each dollar that goes to China, they own another piece of the U.S. – our balance of trade is dangerously bad) to security issues (do we really want to be that dependent on a nation which is building rockets that are pointed at us).
Nearly 80% of the toys sold in the U.S. each year come from Chinese manufacturers. One of these is a fake eyeball whose appeal is a mystery to me. One thing about it is not very cute, though. It is filled with kerosene! Other toxic toys include trains, bears and drums coated in lead paint.
Yesterday, the list of contaminated and questionable products from China grew longer when our federal authorities slapped an unusual hold on farm-raised shrimp, catfish, eel and some other fish imports because of a concern that they contain potentially harmful drugs. (They don’t put a “Made in China” stamp on your scampi, or Shrimp with Lobster Sauce.)
That disturbing announcement came just days after federal transportation officials ordered the recall of up to 450,000 tires made in China. They showed a tendency to lose their treads on the highway.
Be careful when you buy a tube of toothpaste because some discount brands, imported from China, have been found to contain an antifreeze chemical that in significant amounts can be poisonous.
And don’t forget to check that long list of pet foods, made in China, which have been recalled because they contained toxic chemicals which were killing our dogs and cats.
All in all, Chinese manufacturers account for 60% of all product recalls in the United States – up from 36% in 2000.
In our greed to take advantage of China’s cheap labor, we have helped build it into a gigantic economic power and, perhaps, a monster. We have bestowed “most favored nation” trading status on the Chinese – something else that we might want to “recall.”
When you see “Made in China”, it could just be a warning label.
Nearly 80% of the toys sold in the U.S. each year come from Chinese manufacturers. One of these is a fake eyeball whose appeal is a mystery to me. One thing about it is not very cute, though. It is filled with kerosene! Other toxic toys include trains, bears and drums coated in lead paint.
Yesterday, the list of contaminated and questionable products from China grew longer when our federal authorities slapped an unusual hold on farm-raised shrimp, catfish, eel and some other fish imports because of a concern that they contain potentially harmful drugs. (They don’t put a “Made in China” stamp on your scampi, or Shrimp with Lobster Sauce.)
That disturbing announcement came just days after federal transportation officials ordered the recall of up to 450,000 tires made in China. They showed a tendency to lose their treads on the highway.
Be careful when you buy a tube of toothpaste because some discount brands, imported from China, have been found to contain an antifreeze chemical that in significant amounts can be poisonous.
And don’t forget to check that long list of pet foods, made in China, which have been recalled because they contained toxic chemicals which were killing our dogs and cats.
All in all, Chinese manufacturers account for 60% of all product recalls in the United States – up from 36% in 2000.
In our greed to take advantage of China’s cheap labor, we have helped build it into a gigantic economic power and, perhaps, a monster. We have bestowed “most favored nation” trading status on the Chinese – something else that we might want to “recall.”
When you see “Made in China”, it could just be a warning label.
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