Hot Topic: Imports from China

Editor:
Recently, we have been informed of disturbing news regarding imports from China that affects our health and welfare.

The first was melamine in our pet food. Then, poison contaminates in vitamin C. I checked on the labels of several multivitamins at a local drugstore and found the name and contact information on most brands listed the distributor, but not the manufacturer.

The manager answered my question regarding the manufacturer on several brands as China being the most likely source. I could only find one brand that was made in the USA.

I could not find a can of water chestnuts in the grocery store that was NOT made in China.

Now the news of fish and shrimp that were fed fungicides are being recalled, as they might be unsafe.

In my quest to find country of origin, I was dumbfounded by how many products are imported from China!

Two people in the Philadelphia area were killed in a crash because of faulty tire construction on tires imported from China. Brand names are Telluride, Compass, YKS and Nestlake. They make tires for trucks and SUVs. It is reported 450,000 have been recalled.

It has been discovered that lead based paints have been used on toys. Toothpaste containing 6.2 diethylene, a chemical found in antifreeze has been imported from China. The tube does not show the country of origin, only the distributor. Beware of soy products from China.

I guess the whole point is, our country does not do a satisfactory job of inspecting imports. It has been reported only around 1 percent of food products are inspected, and I find that outrageous.

I feel they must be doing a fair job lately with these newest discoveries, but is “made in the USA” going to be our only safeguard for our families?

It seems action is taken after the fact too often. It also seems hindsight in Washington has become the answer to everything. The almighty buck is the primary concern.

Perhaps the American people should boycott Chinese imports all together. It would certainly safeguard our welfare, and, possibly reduce the trade deficit as a bonus.
Trish Rodemeyer, Green Valley