Well friends, it's been too long. I've been busy at work, but I finally have internet access at my apartment, so it's time to start bothering you with my endless rantings. However, I've decided to change the focus of my blog. Since most of my readers are in the US, I'm not going to focus on US politics and culture. While I will talk about my homeland, I'm going to write mostly about Taiwan and Asia. That's where I live and I think most of you don't hear much about Asia. So, I'll be giving you the lowdown.
Well, let's get started. It's possible that in between the Presidential sound bites and the fear mongering over the economy, you may have heard about the tainted milk products coming from China. The long and short of it is that a Chinese/New Zealand company that makes milk powder products in China was putting a chemical called melamine into its products. You may remember this as THE SAME chemical that was found in the deadly pet food that was imported from China. Melamine is added because simple tests identify it as protein. It takes more intensive tests to determine that it's actually a deadly chemical that causes bladder and kidney stones, and even cancer.
The New Zealand owners begged the Chinese government and company to order a recall, but guess what, the Olympics were going on at the time and we couldn't let anybody know what's really happening in China now could we.
Now, I am all about free trade, but I have just two things to say. One, you cannot trust Chinese companies. Therefore if you have the knowledge, do not buy a product made in China. Whether it's the paint on toys, food for our pets, or now infant formula, they have proven time and time again that they will do anything to squeeze a few more dollars out of a product, whatever the long term consequences. Don't buy Chinese! Second, The US government ought to take a more proactive role in this. Too often only a few ingredients in a finished product come from China. That's the case with this milk powder. Milk powder is used in everything from infant formula, to coffee drinks, to doughnuts and potato chips. Since we as consumers have no option here, I think the Federal government ought to require a small warning label on any product that contains any Chinese made products.
Anyway, be careful.
Well, let's get started. It's possible that in between the Presidential sound bites and the fear mongering over the economy, you may have heard about the tainted milk products coming from China. The long and short of it is that a Chinese/New Zealand company that makes milk powder products in China was putting a chemical called melamine into its products. You may remember this as THE SAME chemical that was found in the deadly pet food that was imported from China. Melamine is added because simple tests identify it as protein. It takes more intensive tests to determine that it's actually a deadly chemical that causes bladder and kidney stones, and even cancer.
The New Zealand owners begged the Chinese government and company to order a recall, but guess what, the Olympics were going on at the time and we couldn't let anybody know what's really happening in China now could we.
Now, I am all about free trade, but I have just two things to say. One, you cannot trust Chinese companies. Therefore if you have the knowledge, do not buy a product made in China. Whether it's the paint on toys, food for our pets, or now infant formula, they have proven time and time again that they will do anything to squeeze a few more dollars out of a product, whatever the long term consequences. Don't buy Chinese! Second, The US government ought to take a more proactive role in this. Too often only a few ingredients in a finished product come from China. That's the case with this milk powder. Milk powder is used in everything from infant formula, to coffee drinks, to doughnuts and potato chips. Since we as consumers have no option here, I think the Federal government ought to require a small warning label on any product that contains any Chinese made products.
Anyway, be careful.
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