Author and former business reporter
Author of A Year without 'Made in China’; former business reporter
PROFILE
Sara Bongiorni
Guest
FROM Sara Bongiorni
To the Point
Chinese Imports and Product Safety Confidence in the label "Made in China" is crucial to that nation's economic expansion. Back in August, the international safety scare had caught the attention of Chinese officials. After medicines turned out to be fakes, the former regulator of food and drugs was executed. After Mattel recalled millions of his products, a toy maker hanged himself. The safety of products made in China has been raising serious questions. Unsafe tires are one thing, but at the start of the holiday season, what about millions of toys with lead paint and tiny magnets little kids can swallow? Are American companies as much at fault as their Chinese suppliers? Will consumers pay more for greater safety? What about Chinese consumers and the workers who deal with toxic substances? We look for answers and talk with a woman who tried to stop buying Chinese products.
To the Point
Chinese Imports and Product Safety Unsafe tires. Tainted food and toothpaste. Millions of toys with lead paint and tiny magnets. The safety of those products is raising serious questions in the US and, with confidence in the label "Made in China" crucial to that nation's economic expansion, the international safety scare has caught the attention of Chinese officials. After medicines turned out to be fakes, the former regulator of food and drugs was executed. After Mattel recalled millions of his products, a toy maker hanged himself. Factories have been closed amid pledges that safety standards will be tightened. Are American companies as much at fault as their Chinese suppliers? Will consumers pay more for greater safety? What about Chinese consumers and the workers who deal with toxic substances? Is it possible to stop buying products made in China? We talk with a woman who tried it.
Recommended
Zócalo's Connecting California
The roofs above our heads What do our houses reveal about us – and what do they say about living in California?
KCRW Features
Two Camp Fire survivors share their stories KCRW speaks with two residents of Paradise, Calif., where the Camp Fire destroyed thousands of homes and killed dozens of people. Susan Fort’s home still stands. Natalie Carmichael was able to escape with her dogs but lost everything else.