It appears there have been some issues lately dealing with the quality of products that are being produced in China. The Wall Street Journal reported on May 29 that “A Chinese government survey found 23% of locally made toys failed to meet quality standards” and then again in an article dated July 6, 2007 (I guess they write their articles a day in advance so that when the paper is delivered in the morning it has all the articles for that day in it) there is talk of more of these same types of issues.

It seems that this time it is children’s toys that are the focus of the conversation. Another unauthorized quote from the Wall Street Journal states, “So far this year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued dozens of recall notices for children’s jewelry and toys made in China. The main reason for the recall of nearly all of the jewelry and some of the toys is unsafe levels of lead, a toxic metal.” The newest recall appears to be for a magnetic building-block toy, distributed by Kipp Brothers of Indiana called Mag Stix Magnetic Building Sets. The problem with these appears to be that the magnets become dislodged and are harmful if swallowed.

Not to bash on Chinese made products, in fact, the mouse I use at my computer, my computer keyboard, and who knows how many other things I have sitting around here all bear the label “Made in China” and they seem to work pretty good. With the recent concerns, especially over toys, however, it may be time to remember to the ideas that Sam Walton was encouraging when he originally opened the Wal-Mart stores and “buy American.”