Not just Mattel toys: So much stuff made in China, expect more recalls
We all know that Mattel toys have now issued a huge toy recall, following reports of lead being used on the toys which could lead to lead poisoning. This is a massive blow to the toy industry, but who is at fault for this. The problem is most of the toys today are made in China, 80 percent in fact and we could very well see more recalls happening soon.
Many believe that China is at fault for making below average goods, but many believe that Mattel are at fault for forcing china into lowering prices in order to win the contract for making the toys. The problem there is Chinese companies need to cut corners in order to meet the low prices.
But then again there is a third culprit in all this, and that is us the consumer as we always want to pay the lowest price possible for our products.
The thing is now we could be very well see many more recalls from China, as they make more than just toys, we are in for some very worrying times. Only yesterday I covered a story about a Toothpaste Recall, this was also made in China.
So what could be recalled next then?
Read the Mattel toy recall list
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I must state that there is just too much of American work being “out-sourced” to various places. This is about the worst because it affects children. There are others I will mention….
WAMU (Washington Mutual Bank) is out-sourcing customer calls to the Phillipines….(I was calling to get information on my account)
Ford Motor Credit is out-sourcing to some place in South America……(I was calling to get information on my account)
American Express out-sources to India (I was calling re” my account)
and finally AOL…..I was calling to get info on my account at various times and reached Ireland, India….etc.
It seems to me that the people in the U.S.A. are in need of jobs but these other places do not have to be paid minimum wages nor do they have to pay for health insurance for the “out-sourced” people.
But what really gets my goat is the fact that all of MY PERSONAL INFORMATION is out there in one of these 3rd world countries for anyone to use or steal or sell!!!
A lot of American consumers are threatening to stop buying all Mattel products, but I think that’s missing the proverbial forest for the trees. This is a much larger problem, and all major corps need to have a serious discussion about the true costs of low prices. I’d bet more than 90% of toys come from Asia… and most from China. To boycott Chinese products is to relegate your kids to playing with wooden tops and tin foil (or is that from China, too?)
I agree we’re about to see dozens more of these recalls. This out today… This is just the beginning. There’s another story on a blog about lead in bibs, but the company isn’t recalling them yet:
http://www.unboundedition.com/content/view/1978/50/
Before we all get too excited about all these lead laden toy recalls, let us not forget that many of our public school buildings are in bad shapes. It is a little known fact that too many of our public schools’ plumbing systems are very old and contain lead seals. Many public schools around the nation badly need facility upgrades, but the public consistently vote them down every year. It just baffles me to think that the public is blind to the fact that too many of our children (expecially from the poor school districts) are drinking lead tainted water, while the media is focusing all its energy on toys.