“Disturbing reports have popped up in the news recently about unsafe products coming to U.S. shores from other countries.

Toothpaste, tires, pet food and fish are just some of the products from China raising consumer safety concerns in America.

In April, 107 food imports from China to the U.S. were detained by federal authorities at American ports, in addition to more than a thousand shipments of Chinese dietary supplements, cosmetics and counterfeit medicines.

In the past, these products would simply be returned to China.  But given the seriousness of the safety infractions – and their frequency – our policies must be stricter than a simple “return to sender.”  These products could hurt someone. 

Any regular reader of my columns knows that I am highly concerned about the U.S. trade deficit, and the proportion of this deficit which comes from China.  In 2006, the U.S. trade deficit to China totaled a staggering $232 billion.  But even more disturbing than the number of goods coming to the U.S. from China is the danger that these products could be unsafe for us, our children or our pets.

In the wake of these disturbing incidents, China is cracking down on the factories which produce food products and conducting inspections to assure their food is safe.  We must not only take China’s word for the safety of these products, however.  We, too, have an obligation to ensure that the products we import to the U.S. from foreign countries meet stringent standards.

 
If China is going to continue to be a major trading partner of the United States, there must be a U.S. emphasis on quality control.  Given the enormous opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports to China, we should try to make this relationship work.  We should not, however, allow America to become a dumping ground for inferior, even dangerous, Chinese products.

At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration is responsible for assuring the products that enter the U.S. for human consumption are safe to eat.  This is the same entity which is charged with, among other duties, inspecting foreign factories which manufacture prescription drugs licensed for use in the U.S.  The FDA must improve on its inspection and enforcement activities in other countries at a time when consumer safety is extremely important.

I think we in Southern Missouri are so sensitive to these issues because we take such great pride in growing and manufacturing goods that can be safely used and consumed all over the world. 

Our positive attitudes and strong work ethic in Southern Missouri show up in quality products that are the envy of the world.  Our producers and manufacturers make the concept of “Made in the U.S.A.” easy to promote and worthwhile to adopt.

Without that commitment to quality and public safety, it is easy to see how skeptical the world could become.  Just look at China.”