Product Safety: It is Not Just Toys…
November 11th, 2007
This week saw another massive recall of toys. In the USA 4.7 million units of the game Aquadots were recalled, after children in Australia got sick, including several going into a coma after eating the beads included in the product.
Colorful beads that look like candy. For those of us with kids, you know they are going in the mouth.
They were made in China. Initial reports indicate that a subcontractor intentionally use a cheaper chemical to make the beads. Unfortunately, it was toxic.
In America, that would be criminal negligence, and someone would not only be libel, but go to jail. Unfortunately, it is just another day in many countries.
Companies are fully aware of this issue when they push production of their products to these countries. They probably get assurances from contract manufacturers about the quality and make a few daylight visits to see the site where they assume the product is actually being made. Trouble is that cost is the only advantage these contract manufacturers have, and to win that bid they probably needed to cut corners. Subcontractors will be used that have even less issue with using cheaper components, like for the chemical dyes or paints.
The issue is not limited to toys, but is also common in the food and clothing produced in these nations. Do you think they are checking for toxins when they source the cheapest supply?
What percent is actually checked at the border? 10% or 1%? Try almost none. Problems are only caught when folks start getting sick. How do we catch the toxic products that cause issues 20 years down the road? Keep in mind this issue is not limited to toys. It can come through exposure in items we eat, touch, or wear.
Toys have got a lot of press lately, but it is the tip of the iceberg. Once imports are really put under the microscope, we will find heavy amounts of toxins in many, many imported food and clothing products. The one way to be certain now is to only buy products from countries that actually abide by normal product safety laws.
Is that cheap product really worth it in the end?
Sunday, November 11th, 2007 at 11:15 pmand is filed under Uncategorized, Foreign Product Safety.
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I recently purchased the wood airplane from your website. It is so comforting to purchase a product for my toddler that I know is made with safe products. Also, I was concerned that the airplane may be a bit heavy - but it is quite light. My daughter is really enjoying the plane and playing airport.
Thank you for providing an avenue to purchase safe toys.