Unhealthy Imports

MSNBC:

Mexican cantaloupe irrigated with water from sewage-tainted rivers. Candy laced with lead. Chinese toothpaste is not the only concern for U.S. consumers wary of the health risks posed by imported goods.

Yikes.

China, already under suspicion as the source of tainted toothpaste, contaminated fish and toxic medicine, had the largest number of violations in the past 12 months, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejecting 1,901 shipments of food or cosmetics. But India and Mexico weren’t far behind, with inspectors rejecting 1,787 and 1,560 shipments, respectively.

What's even more scary?

FDA inspectors only have the money and resources to check about 1 percent of the 8.9 million imported food shipments a year. Many of those inspections target problem products from problem nations, like Indian relishes or Mexican cantaloupe.

Comments

[Saul Wall]

Do ya get the feeling that countries around the world don't like Western nations that much? Have some lead candy. Enjoy our nice sewage fruit. Care for some makeup that will scare you for life?

[Isaac Schrödinger]

These nations really don't have the wealth available for their own citizens. So, it's tough to match the standards set in the West.

The Western quality today (especially German and Japanese products) is far higher and luxurious. In a decade or so, China and India will have improved products and healthier foods to offer to the West; otherwise, they'll lose billions of dollars. It's the natural evolution of industry.