Chinese goods come under suspicion, scrutiny after recalls
Last Edited: Thursday, 14 Jun 2007, 11:20 PM EDT
Created: Thursday, 14 Jun 2007, 11:18 PM EDT
myfoxtampabay.com
Many consumers are eyeing products from China with
suspicion after a series of recalls
TAMPA - Is it buyer beware for American consumers these days?
It seems like there are daily reports about unsafe products imported from China that could endanger your health.
“Made in China” often means discount goods, but these days it’s come under suspicion. The scare began with deadly pet food made with toxic wheat gluten. Then counterfeit toothpaste made with antifreeze landed on some discount store shelves around the world. And drugs laced with a harmful Chinese-made ingredient reportedly killed at least 100 people in Panama.
Now, a popular childrens toy, “Thomas the Tank and Friends,” has been pulled off store shelves due to concerns about lead paint produced in a Chinese factory.
“We should have strict regulation on whatever product that is imported,” says USF Associate Professor of International Studies Dajin Peng. Peng just returned from a trade trip to China, where he says the Chinese have a different view.
“The import of Chinese goods is one reason the U.S. has been able to keep low inflation for a long, long time,” Peng points out.
“Without those imports, U.S. consumers would be hurt.”
Peng admits the problem of tainted imports is serious, but says China imports billions of dollars worth of goods a year, and the feeling in that country is that the U.S. is overreacting.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s from China or other country,” Peng says.
“We can’t just say, ‘everything from China is bad’. We should be careful. That’s not a very helpful solution.”
But at Nature’s Market in South Tampa, some shoppers say they are overcautious about what they’re purchasing, looking out for additives and origin.
“I watch anything I buy from any imported,” says Norma Muhlbaier.
“Even in the U.S. because I think you need to be generally aware of what you eat and what you purchase.”
China has been eager to alleviate consumer concerns, claiming it’s cracking down on rogue manufacturers. They’ve sentenced the former head of the Chinese FDA to death for allowing sub-standard products to pass inspection, in exchange for bribes. It’s a dramatic gesture to show the world they mean business. But some say there needs to be more oversight.
“I don’t think we can blame China,” says Gavin Donoho.
“The World Trade Organization should be watching over these things -- it’s hard to say who’s to blame for that. I think as far as imports and exports from different countries, they should be regulated and we should know where things are coming from, that would make me feel safer,” Donoho said.
The FDA says it’s been cracking down on Chinese shipments in the last couple of months, sending tainted products back. But of course, they are just catching a tiny fraction of what enters the U.S.
The big problem is American companies are so dependent on Chinese imports that tighter restrictions could impact our economy as well. |
