China toys recalled because of date rape drug given to kids.
We have heard some crazy stories before but have you ever heard of a
company using date rape drugs in their toys? Chances are you haven’t
because the use of such drugs would be considered horrendous by nature
and the company who would do such a thing might possibly find
themselves out of business.U.S. safety officials recalled
approximately 4.2 million toys marketed as Aqua Dots and Aqua Beads due
to the toys possibly containing the “date rape” drug. The chemical used
in the toys metabolizes when ingested by kids and turns into gamma
hydroxy butyrate which is used by date rapists. This drug is known as
“fantasy” on the street and causes breathing problems, loss of
consciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and even death.The
problem was first discovered in Australia and New Zealand when children
who ingested the toys were rushed to the hospital after getting sick.
Even an 18-month old boy who went into the hospital drowsy was a victim
of the toys. A total of 9 children in the U.S. have been affected.The
toys were going to be a hot item this year and both Wal-Mart and Toys
“R” Us were selling these items throughout out the country. It is
difficult to blame the companies as they didn’t manufacture the toys
and don’t do any studies after purchasing them. However, it may seem
very unnerving to the many people who purchase items from these stores.After
a number of the toys were sent back to China the General Administration
of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine confirmed that the
toys did contain the date rape drug. The Chinese Government admits that
Wangqi Product Factory in the Southern City of Shenzhen produced the
toys.China, in an attempt to counter the damage, barred the
company from further exports and suspended the toy maker’s export
license. Many other countries also received these toys and began to
raise concerns of China’s quality after government inspectors to start
exporting initially confirmed the toys.The Lesson for Businesses: The
quality versus price debate has taken a new round of discussion. Many
public officials, companies and the public members have promoted the
concept that simply because a product is cheap doesn’t make it good.
American manufacturers focus on quality while the Chinese are focusing
on price. In recent years price has been wining as people become
addicted to cheap imports.The recent Chinese scandals may
become a selling point for many American manufacturers who tout their
quality above everything else. Their products are better built, last
longer and are just a little higher cost then the Chinese ones. As the
dollar declines the American high-quality products become more in
demand.If American manufacturers can keep lowering the cost of
their products without hurting their quality their products will become
more desirable to people overseas. People want quality but when the
American product is 20% over the cost of imports most uninformed
consumers take the cheaper alternative. Likewise it is difficult to
determine who actually manufacturers these products. The government
should consider requiring the country of origin be placed in a highly
visible spot on the front of the product.
