Made in China: Should You Worry?
That suggests that brand-name products made in China by big companies are fine, but other products might not be?
The risks are probably greater with small companies. And more and more small Chinese companies are exporting. The small-company effect is exacerbated by the chen bao system—the contracting system—where Company A contracts with Company B that contracts with Company C that in turn contracts with Company D, leaving no one accountable.
So are there clear take-aways for American consumers? Things they should feel comfortable buying? And things they might want to stay away from?
It's hard to know what advice to give consumers. They should probably do what consumers do in China. One study showed that Chinese consumers are willing to spend more to buy goods from the local supermarket rather than the vendor on the corner. Buy brands you trust from retailers you trust.
There's always a concern about what's in a product. How do you know what the ingredients are? Are there small parts a kid could put in his mouth? This is one of the risks of the global economy. Consumers can't always chase these products back to their sources. It's really the responsibility of manufacturers and distributors to check up on their suppliers. They need to go there and see what they're doing.
You travel a lot in China. Do you worry about the food there?
I love the small, hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the neighborhoods of Beijing and Shanghai. I guess I take my chances.
Have questions about products and services in the global economy? E-mail us at flowchart@usnews.com.
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