***Update:Â The toy beads have now sickened 7 more children in the U.S. ***
   I think I’ve had enough of Chinese-made toys to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, there’s almost no escaping Chinese-made anything these days.  All I can say is I’m fed up! Why? Quite simply, the lastest recall involving the highly popular Aqua Dots. Like so many other things in life, it’s usually “the other guy” that is dealing with some problem, and we observe it from a distance, usually with empathy, thinking, “Poor schmuck, glad that’s not me….” Â
   This time it is me, or rather our family. Nothing serious mind you, but it could have been. Our son loves Aqua Dots… it’s hugely popular here in the U.S. and it’s even the Australian Toy of the Year.  My wife bought him several different packages, and he has spent many fun-filled hours making cool little designs with these mulit-color beads that stick together. As it turns out, my usual admonishment about keeping things out of his mouth, not chewing on toys, and other neurotic parental aphorisms was a pretty good thing. Fortunately he managed to listen (this time). These little multi-color beads have already killed a couple kids (first news reports were incorrect) sickened and hospitalized five little kids who swallowed them, and made several more very sick.
   Apparently they were manufactured in some Chinese toy plant (lacking quality control as usual…) and some chemical was mixed into whatever makes these little beads stick together. When swallowed it turns into a GHB-like chemical, similar to the ”date-rape drug” type of chemical, and becomes toxic for children.   I don’t know if it’s just some of these beads, all of them or what… Our son is seven years old now, but a couple years ago we couldn’t keep stuff out of his mouth!Â
   And what the heck does it do to pets?  I’ve spent the last year training a wonderful Labrador Retriever… of course he wanders into our son’s room at times and has “retrieved” several of these Aqua Dot designs.  Glad he didn’t swallow them… it’s amazing what I fish out of his mouth.
   But more importantly, as popular as Aqua Dots are around the world… many other children could have been hurt and sickened over time. Who knows how may kids have swallowed these things that we haven’t heard about? It really makes me very angry… and I’m a pretty sedate guy for the most part. But when unethical, or ignorant people are trying to hurt or sicken our kids, then it’s time to do something.
So this is it. As of today, I am on a Chinese manufactured product boycott.  I don’t know how difficult it will be to avoid Chinese-made products, but starting today we’re going to find out. Â
     I’ve spent a lot of time in Asia over the years, especially in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore. I have great admiration and respect for the peoples of Asia and many other cultures and nations around the world.  I’m certainly not going to stereotype any nation or people for the mistakes of a greedy manufacturer that lacks ethical behavior and proper quality control.  But the Chinese government better realize that they are going to lose enormous sums of money based on lack of accountability of manufacturers.  Other governments better beef-up their product safety guidelines and inspections.  Maybe some will think I’m over-reacting. I feel pretty strongly about this, but I’d love to hear your opinion.Â
  There’s a huge difference between being shrewd in business, and making an unsafe product at the expense of the health and well-being of other people.    Whoever makes toys with the “Made in China” label better figure that out.
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There’s a book about this, it’s called “A Year Without ‘Made in China.’” Check it out before you go on this boycott. I imagine it will likely be far more complicated than you think it will be.
Also, keep in mind that (especially this product) was probably not designed in China, and, with this product at least, it was the design that was flawed, not the manufacturing. (It’s the glue itself that can turn into GHB, not some other uncalled-for additive.)
With other products, it is important to consider the sheer volume of products that are produced in China every year. That we are hearing about four or six or even eight recalls every few months, is probably not as much cause for concern as everyone thinks. As a percent, the number of Chinese products that are cause for concern is probably much smaller than imagined.
Hi Erin- Thanks for your thoughtful post. You’re right, the practical reality of boycotting Chinese products is far more difficult than the economic or emotional reality.
I think I wrote that more as a declaration… if given the choice, I will try and choose an American product, or some other alternative until I believe the Chinese government and manufacturing industry have embraced standards of quality and concern for the health and well-being of other people. It will come with time.
Realistically, you’re right though- the vast majority of products are probably fine. But wow… when you read of a product that can hurt or kill children, and realize it’s sitting on the nightstand next to your child’s bed… it really serves as a wake-up call. Thanks for the book reference too!