Meet Wu Yi. The 68-year old Vice Premier, the highest ranking woman in the Communist Party, has been tasked with one mission: toss the Chinese Poison Train back into the rapidly industrializing nation’s toy-chest.
products
US Sends Substandard Products Overseas
By 9.4.07
Here’s some depressing news: US companies increasingly export products that do not meet our safety standards, says the Washington Post.
It's Easy To Miss News Of Product Recalls
By 8.16.07
It may seem crazy to loyal readers of the Consumerist, but people often important news when it comes to product recalls. NPR introduces us to James Millard Wilson, an art student in Baltimore who missed the news of the American Medical Optic (AMO) Complete MoisturePLUS Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution. He used to solution and got a painful eye infection that could have lead to blindness if he hadn’t gone to the hospital.
Package Redesign Gone Wild
By 8.10.07
The NYT has an article today about the terrifying rate of package redesign, a phenomenon the industry blames on, what else—the internet. Oh, and Tivo.
"Baby Einstein" Videos Probably Don't Work, Might Even Hurt
By 8.8.07
A new study quoted by the LA Times says that the popular “Baby Einstein” videos don’t work—and may even stunt your child’s vocabulary.
Walmart Sells Can Included In Botulism Recall
By 8.3.07
An article from the Hattiesburg American claims a Mississippi women bought a recalled can of hot dog chili sauce (the same product that has sickened 4 people with botulism) at a Walmart after the recall had been announced on July 19th, but before it had been widely publicized in the newspapers.
Disney Exits Winemaking Buisness Before Actually Entering It
By 8.1.07
Plans to market a French Chardonnay under the brand name “Ratatouille,” have been shelved due to a “trickle of inquiries and complaints,” according to Disney spokesperson, Gary Foster.
At Least 450,000 Imported Chinese Tires Missing Important Safety Feature
By 6.26.07
An importer of tires based in New Jersey is asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for help recalling 450,000 imported light truck tires from China, according to CNN Money. The tires are the focus of a lawsuit involving a fatal crash “in which two construction workers were killed and a third was severely injured when a van rolled over,” according to the New York Times. The lawyer representing the lawsuit claims that the company only came forward after being named in the suit. From CNN Money:
The tires, made by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co., have an insufficient or missing gum strip, a safety feature that helps prevent the tires from separating, the lawyers and a consumers’ group said in a statement. The group, Safety Research & Strategies, is urging retailers and wholesalers to stop selling the tires.
The importer says the tires were sold under the names Westlake, Telluride Compass and YKS.
When You Can't Trust Your Eyes, Trust A Test Disc
By 6.9.07
Smart consumers don’t compare the picture quality of floor models when shopping for a new television; crafty salespeople try to subvert your senses with flashy media that highlights the strengths of expensive models. So how can you objectively judge which television has the best picture? Bring along your own test disc.
Evian Water Rejected By China For Containing "Excessive Amounts Of Bacteria"
By 5.30.07
118 tons of Evian mineral water has been seized and impounded by Chinese Health Inspectors because it contained “excessive amounts of bacteria.” China has a different standard for bacteria than the one set by the World Health Organization and Evian does not make the cut.
Map of The World Based On Where Walmart Gets Its Products
By 4.18.07
Kottke has linked a map drawn as if the size and existence of countries was based on how many products Walmart buys from their nation. China is huge, Europe is tiny, and Canada is less than the size of Alaska. —MEGHANN MARCO
Breyer's Ice Cream Has Tara Gum
By 3.15.07
Remember the kid who liked Breyer’s Ice Cream because he could pronounce the ingredients? Milk, sugar… Can he pronounce “tara gum”?
Jack Black's Beard Lube
By 2.16.07
This photo just arrived in our Inbox with little explanation or fanfare.
Consumer Reports Hates Elmo Too
By 11.6.06
“The youngest children’s reactions ranged from disinterest to fear.” “Marc, 14 months, was interested in the toy at first, but lost interest quickly, opting instead to dig in the dirt. One-year-old Julia was scared of Elmo and cried whenever the toy was activated.”
Hipster Swiss Army Knives
By 6.26.06
The glorious Swiss Army Knife. The tool that makes us more human. Could this Could this piece of flawless design be made any more perfect?
