Toxic Chinese Imports

         China's lackadaisical approach to the importance of human health is clearly revealed in their policy of putting economic growth ahead of the health of its own citizens. The environmental regulations that are put in place are frequently ignored. Inevitably, this same attitude is going to spill over into what kind of product we are importing from China.

          In fact, China has flooded American markets with food that is simply unfit for human consumption. Incidents include mushrooms contaminated with illegal pesticides, fish coated with smelly bacteria, apples using cancer causing preservatives, toothpaste made with an industrial chemical found in anti-freeze, ginger that contains so much pesticide that it causes flu symptoms, and much more.

          Nearly all mass market toys are made in China, and tests are now showing that nearly 500 different types of toys were discovered to contain lead paint, which harms brain development in children. One of the most well known cases was the popular Thomas & friends train engines and cars.

           Kidney damaging Melamine is now well known to have been intentionally added by Chinese companies to boost the tested levels of protein in products. Over 4,000 Americans reported the death of a dog or cat due to the toxic pet food. In 2008, melamine and formaldehyde was discovered in Chinese made candy. In the same year, milk contaminated with melamine injured 300,000 people and killed six infants.

           During the housing market boom from 2001 to 2006, the U.S could no longer produce enough drywall to meet the demand. America looked to the Chinese to fill the gap. A few years later, homeowners began to complain about the corrosion of certain metals such as copper piping, wiring and glass mirrors in their homes--as well as an unpleasant odor.  It was confirmed in a CPSC study that the Chinese drywall was emitting sulfur gases and contributing to metal corrosion.

           Less than 1% of imported Chinese products are tested, and tests have confirmed that the Chinese are habitually sending contaminated food to the American market. Federal inspection agents would return the products to China only to have them show up at the borders again---sometimes 2 or 3 times. Meat from China is prohibited due to a lack of USDA certification and food safety systems, but federal agents have discovered tons of illegal poultry products slipping into the United States.

            Some Chinese food products are difficult to avoid. For instance, there is only one company in the United States that still produces Absorbic acid (Vitamin C). China controls the vast majority of the world's production. Wheat Gluten is another common ingredient from China. The Chinese can sell it for cheaper than the US manufacturers can produce it.

            With all the reports of toxic fish, food contamination, fake drugs and fake organic products coming from China, one might wonder where this will end. The latest revelation in the Chinese food contamination freak show is a new report from Very Vietnam that the Chinese are blending potatoes, sweet potatoes and a plastic resin to produce imitation rice.

            In light of all these revelations, it appears that the Chinese are playing fast and loose with our health. They are giving a new meaning to the term "Chinese food" and Americans are starting to grow tired of the continuous flow of "junk food" coming into our borders from China.

            It's time to take action by doing all we can to avoid Chinese imports. They are simply not looking out for the best interest of the American people.