Posted on 08/15/2007 7:53:38 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
(OTTAWA) - Fears of shoddy and dangerous toys pouring into Canada from China are prompting parents across the country to seek safer alternatives following a large-scale recall announced by Mattel this week. But many are finding it's a nearly impossible task because the majority of the world's toys come from China.
"It's really difficult to find anything," said Keely Dennis, mother of a one-year-old boy in Vancouver. "It's really hard to find toys that aren't made in China that are age-appropriate, and are just cool, that your kid will play with."
For the second time in two weeks, the toy giant began recalling millions of Chinese-made toys over concerns that small parts could pose choking hazards and that excessive amounts of lead may be present. This is the latest in a string of problems that are raising doubts over the safety and quality of Chinese products, including toothpaste and pet food.
But parents trying to avoid potentially risky imports are having a hard time keeping Chinese-made products out of their children's toy boxes. An estimated 80 per cent of the world's toys are made in China, and even many European or North American companies that appear to offer safer alternatives produce many of their toys in China.
Now even all-natural and organic toy retailers that tout their products as safe are finding out how hard it is to escape the ubiquitous made-in-China label.
"A lot of my toys do say that they're designed in a certain country but made in China," said Dana Johnson, who runs Florida-based Three Sisters Toys, which describes itself as an all-natural toy retailer. "Quite frankly, I'm still in the process of trying to get in touch with some of the manufacturers."
It was only after the recent spate of toy recalls that Baby Naturopathics, a Hamilton, Ont.-based online retailer specializing in natural and organic baby products, realized it's also selling products made in China.
"The manufacturers do not advertise this. They present themselves as being entirely made in Europe," said Cindy Cho, part-owner of the business. "Then, only when you look at the box do you realize that maybe that's not the case or if you do research online."
The company is now struggling to figure out what to do and is considering no longer buying products from any manufacturer that produces goods in China.
"Unfortunately, we found out that quite a few European toys are made in China as well," Cho said. "A few years ago that wasn't the case. Increasingly, more companies are making their products in China. We're going to have to re-evaluate."
Mattel's most recent toy recall is serving to fuel a larger backlash against products made in China, which could have a lasting impact on the economy if the situation doesn't improve, according to Paul Beamish, director of the Asian Management Institute at the University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of Business in London, Ont.
"If this problem persists, if we see a whole lot of ongoing product recalls from China, then it has much greater implications for consumers because they will stop, at the extreme, or reduce their purchasing, or start looking for alternative sources," he said. "The big thing that has to change is more rigorous and vigorous enforcement of the quality standards that already exist."
For parents like Dennis, the recent safety scares involving Chinese-made products are both disheartening and frightening.
"The first thing it makes me think is these companies are only thinking about money. They want to make money, they're outsourcing their manufacturing and basically contributing to exploitation," Dennis said.
It's also frustrating that China is producing nearly all of the toys on store shelves in today's marketplace, even if they aren't meeting North American quality and safety standards. It's a reality she hopes will change soon.
"I think that if we can force these companies to change the way they manufacture and market their toys, other companies will follow suit as well," she said. "Unless you make the toys yourself, what are your kids going to play with?"
Yes. I was appalled when I discovered it, but yes. And Lincoln Logs are now made out of some kind of odd light wood.
Thanks for the link. Every bit of information on how to avoid Chinese products helps.
This toy craze is a recent phenomenon. A lot of it is demand created by marketers, and is possible only since the age of children's TV.
I have something that might be useful to the group for Toys Not Made in China at http://www.toysnotmadeinchina.org/
Hey...those are great....already added one to my amazon wish list....thanks.
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