Another scandal in China, this time with tainted milk. So much of our food comes from China, yet we aren't allowed to decide for ourselves whether or not we want to eat it because it's not labeled. For example, half of the apple juice we consume is from China. But the consumer doesn't know that. Consumer goods other than food all have country of origin labels, but not food. Seems to me that it's far more important to know that something I may potentially feed my children is coming from a country with no food safety rules than it is to know if a toy is made there.
Infant formula. Children's multivitamins. Made in China. Is it worth the risk to save a few pennies? Just tell me where it's from and let me decide.
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I am semi interested in this baby milk and other sundry food poisoning scandals originating in China as I have been doing business and spending time in China over the past 2 years or more. My interest though is not about how terrible this is, but rather how this sort of thing is so unsurprising to anyone who has spent any time there. Cutting corners and producing fake goods is woven into the fabric of the Chinese culture and economy. It is also driven by entrepreneurs who are taking advantage of a weak (almost non-existent) legal system, lax regulations and a business culture where bribery and corruption are rampant.
The scope and nature of this is something that I believe is uniquely Chinese. If they don’t personally know the person they are harming, then it is ok. There’s no concept of sin there, or fear of negative consequences for doing something evil. The whole idea of “feeling guilty” is lost on the Chinese. They do seem to feel shame if they are caught doing wrong, but they don’t feel guilt as they are doing it.
You can see examples of this 1,000 times a day if you look around. The Chinese concept of guilt and shame applies only to those within the sphere of importance to them (people who can directly and beneficially affect them). Otherwise, they are completely indifferent to the fate of those outside this sphere.
I realize this is a broad generalization, something I am usually loathe to do, but my experiences there lead me to believe sincerely that they are largely accurate.
Nevertheless, China is also a land of milk and honey for us rapacious capitalists and serial opportunists!
Trader Joe's is assiduous in telling you where their food comes from. Milk and dairy contain no rBST the wine and fish are sourced, ingredients are prominent. When they say natural it really is natural. Do you have TJs where you live?
Sociologists that study Confuscianism in Korea, where it is even worse, call it the Korean Unperson Phenomonea. The lack of remorse or sense of responsibility is truly scary to witness in person.
Country of Origin Labeling
(Went into effect September 30, 2008)
WHAT DOES THE LAW REQUIRE?
That retailers notify customers of the country of origin – including the U.S. – of raw beef, veal, lamb, pork, chicken, goat, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, peanuts, pecans, macadamia nuts and whole ginseng.
WHERE IS THE INFORMATION?
Anywhere it fits. The rubber band around asparagus; the plastic wrap on ground beef; the little sticker that says "Gala" on an apple. If a food isn't normally sold in any packaging, then the store must post a sign.
THE BIGGEST EXCEPTION?
Processed foods, meaning no label if the food is cooked, or an ingredient in a bigger dish or otherwise substantially changed. So plain raw chicken must be labeled but not breaded chicken tenders. Raw pork chops are labeled, but not ham or bacon. Raw shelled pecans, but not a trail mix.
WHAT ABOUT MIXED FOODS?
They're exempt, too. So cantaloupe slices from Guatemala get labeled. Mix in some Florida watermelon chunks, and no label. Frozen peas, labeled. Frozen peas and carrots, no label.
MUST ALL STORES COMPLY?
No. Meat and seafood sold in butcher shops and fish markets are exempt.
The Chinese culture, economy, government, and lack of legal system - combined with their high skills and low ethics - creates a virtual certainty of future major problems.
A major issue right now is stopping fake electronics ending up in the likes of train signalling systems, aircraft flight control systems and the like. The Chinese are expert at taking reject commercial temperature components and relabelling them as full high temperature spec.
http://tinyurl.com/4k8r2s
On the other hand I would not be surprised if China is the world's largest auto manufacturer in 15 years, selling low cost rolling stock through Walmart.
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