Caution – Made in China

China’s much-reported industrial rise will have many impacts in this country, many positive, but some troublesome. By now, most of us are aware of the tainted pet food ingredients, originating in China, and responsible for the deaths of a number of pets in this country. Recently, a warning was given to avoid toothpastes made in China. Now, toys made in China are under the gun. The New York Times reports that all 24 toys that the U.S. government has recalled this year for safety reasons, have been made in China. Twenty-four out of twenty-four recalled dangerous toys, made in one country, tells us something is seriously wrong.

Child deaths and injuries from defective toys devastate families every year. China’s problems shouldn’t surprise us. We need only recall our own industrial revolution in the 1800s, when safety always gave way to growth, innovation, and profits. Concern and legal rights for workers harmed in dangerous workplaces and consumers injured by dangerous products, is a relatively modern American phenomenon. China may one day come around as well. For now, giant retailers who sell in this country, need to be held to the fire to put in place the safety measures that do not exist in China, so that Americans are protected.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.