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Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and Target are just some of the stores that carry Chinese-manufactured merchandise. When consumers see an item labeled “Made in China,” they can usually expect a bargain. The question nowadays is are they bargains or just products that are hazardous to consumer health?

Numerous Product Recalls

The United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC) said that 40 percent of all consumer products brought into the U.S. in last year come from China and totaled $250 million worth of goods. The CPSC also stated that more than 60 percent of all product recalls involve imports—primarily imports from China.

Food products exemplify the extent of the problem. According to an article in the Washington Post, Canada exports about $10 billion worth of food and agricultural products to the U.S. compared to the $2 billion coming from China.

In the first 4 months of this year, FDA regulators refused shipment on 298 inspector products from China and on 56 shipments from Canada. This means that food coming from China is rejected 25 times more than food from Canada.

Recently Recalled Imports

It is estimated that the CPSC recalled 152 products since January of this year and 104 were from China. Some of the more recently recalled Chinese imports include:

• Portable baby swings—some 60 reports of harm done to babies who were trapped
• Plastic toys—contain lead paint or easy-to-swallow magnets
• Defective swimming pool ladders—127 reports of injury
• Faulty baby carriers—babies fall out and are hurt
• Easy-Bake Ovens—burns from the openings of the oven
• Tower Fans with faulty wiring cause fires, burns
• Exploding air pumps—resulting in13 injuries, some with cuts to the face and eye areas
• Bargain priced oil and electric heaters—less then $50 to buy, but some have caused homes to burn down
• Notebook computers—batteries burn up
• Defective circular saws—faulty blade guards cause user injury
• Table lamps—faulty plugs which can cause electrical shock and fire hazards

Heating massaging recliners, pine cone candles, toothpaste, dietary supplements, electrical products, toys, tires, and pet food are among some of the other Chinese-made products that have been recalled in the U.S. in recent times.

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal in July 2007, lawsuits are being filed against the U.S. companies that distribute these products. One such lawsuit was filed against a New Jersey tire distributor when regulators asked the company to recall nearly half a million tires by made by Chinese manufacturer Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber. The tires caused a fatal car accident and both companies denied liability.

Regulatory Issues

In the United States, the CPSC and the FDA approval process on imported products lends our system some safety, but these agencies have limited funding as well as lack of personnel to handle the amount of goods entering the U.S each year.

The CPSC is working with the Chinese government to reduce the number of faulty or counterfeit products coming into the United States. Laws have been established in the U.S. to ensure some quality of imports from China, but will there ever be an end to the faulty Chinese goods?

Lawyers and economists suggest that corporations take a more proactive interest in the products they buy from China by visiting suppliers, choosing better suppliers, inspecting the product line before it enters the U.S., providing seminars on quality assurance, monitoring overseas vendors and educating the manufacturer on U.S. policies.

“Many counterfeit products are made in China and CPSC is actively working with the Chinese government to reduce the number of unsafe products that are exported to the United States,” a CPSC statement said.

Consumer Choices

The fact, however, is that we are consciously conducting business transactions all the time with China and bringing in products that are harmful. As consumers, we could buy only made in the U.S. products, go to our local farm stands, and be aware of the issue at hand.

“Consumers shouldn’t be scared of Chinese products. They should have a reputation of being good quality, cheap and safe,” commented Qin Gang, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry.

Statistics show otherwise so be careful when purchasing products imported from China and make sure your consumer rights are protected.

Injured by a product made in China?

If you are a victim of a faulty Chinese manufactured product, report it to the authorities, the company distributing it and if the product caused bodily or emotional harm— retain a lawyer to exercise your rights.