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    Back to To the Point

    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…

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    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.

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Chinese Imports and Product Safety
    1. 0:00Despite Gloomy Forecasts, Will Shoppers Let Loose Anyway?
    2. 0:00Chinese Imports and Product SafetyYou’re reading this
    3. 0:00Immigrant Labor and Your Christmas Tree
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

    • KCRW placeholder

      Karen Radziner

      Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

    • KCRW placeholder

      Rachel Weintraub

      Director of Product Safety, Consumer Federation of America

    • KCRW placeholder

      Abigail Goldman

      Reporter, Los Angeles Times

    • KCRW placeholder

      Bill Primosch

      Senior Director of International Business Policy, National Association of Manufacturers

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Chinese Imports and Product Safety
    1. 0:00Despite Gloomy Forecasts, Will Shoppers Let Loose Anyway?
    2. 0:00Chinese Imports and Product SafetyYou’re reading this
    3. 0:00Immigrant Labor and Your Christmas Tree
    Back to To the Point