China Tries Unsafe Product Crackdown

[Omaha Steve]

http://money.excite.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt_top.jsp?news_id=ap-d8u0i5ho0&

Sunday January 6, 1:47 PM EST

BEIJING (AP) — Last August, the Chinese government unleashed its most extensive campaign since the 2002-03 outbreak of SARS, the mysterious killer disease. The goal: to shore up China's battered reputation as a manufacturer of quality goods.

As the four-month initiative — part crackdown, part public relations drive — ended in December, experts say China has taken significant steps toward addressing product quality and safety problems. But they also note the risk of backsliding in a country with a convoluted bureaucracy and a well-documented history of local leaders ignoring edicts from the top.

"The events of the past six or so months do represent a watershed," said Robert Kapp, a business consultant who headed the U.S. China Business Council from 1994 to 2004. "But watersheds are not always forever."

"The problem may be very systematic by now, and I don't know if the Chinese will overcome it," he added.

While the high-profile campaign is over, the government is continuing work on several fronts, including developing China's first-ever food safety law.

The country's reputation as an export power took a beating last year. In March, dog and cat deaths in North America were linked to a Chinese-made pet food ingredient. Then came reports of potentially dangerous frozen fish, juice, tires and toothpaste. Millions of toys were recalled in several countries over lead paint and other fears.

FULL story at link.

[fenriswolf]

1. heh

i short "we got problems, i don't know if their ever gonna be fixed but we definatly have problems."

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. One product that we could certainly purchase safely from China

that hasn't been mentioned. Lead.