Stay Informed!

Josephs resolution that urges oversight, awareness of Chinese products approved in House, sent to Senate for consideration

HARRISBURG, March 18 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., announced that the House has adopted her resolution that requests greater oversight and review of the safety of products made in China.

"We are one of several countries to find tainted Chinese toothpaste in our medicine cabinets and toys painted with lead paint in our children's toy chests, not to mention our pets eating food imported from China that contained illegal pesticides," Josephs said. "Based on these facts, it would be irresponsible not to review our country's safety protocols regarding products imported from China, or to ignore the potential danger these products pose to Pennsylvanians and the rest of the country."

Josephs' resolution, which received unanimous approval in the House, would formally express Pennsylvania's concern to the federal government about safety issues on products coming out of China.

The public has become more aware of the issue since hearing news reports about tainted dog and cat food, and the recall of Chinese-made toothpaste and certain toys. According to Josephs, it is not a new issue. Some items found to be contaminated before being let into the United States include dried apples preserved with a cancer-causing chemical, mushrooms covered in illegal pesticides and frozen catfish loaded with banned antibiotics, as well as scallops and sardines in putrefying bacteria.

"Action on this resolution sends a strong message about how much the Pennsylvania General Assembly is concerned about this issue and strongly urges the federal government to review import-export control systems for food, medicine and other products from China," Josephs said.

Last week's House vote is the first step to the resolution's adoption. It is now before the Senate, which also must approve it before the resolution can be adopted.

###ejw/2008/mjh
l:\print\releases\res_china.182