There seems to be a string of scandals to do with Chinese imports. After the story of imported pet food, we are now fully into toy recalls. Apparently, 24 kinds of toys have been recalled sofar in 2007 for reasons of lead paint, kerosene or because they present a choking hazard. If you missed the different stories, here is a recap article from the New York Times. Of course consumer behaviour is schizophrenic. We want good quality, but at the cheapest price. So sometimes price comes first. You can't get hand crafted or organic food at the same price as that which is produced industrially. Quality, and quality control, and may I add bio and fair trade goods, cost more. Consuming should be a decision and not instant gratification. Sometimes less is better, and knowing a bit more about the products, where and how they were produced, and how they got to the shop next door makes a difference. We should start buying smart, where smart does not necessarily mean the best price, but also responsible consumption.
Comments