But the question what Mattel, and other companies, have been doing to stop this scandalous export of faulty products is a question that is all too easy ignored. Of course it is awful that millions of American children might be in danger when they bite on their toys, but has anybody already looked after the thousands of Chinese workers who have been painting those toys? They must have been exposed to much higher dangerous levels of lead than any of the children involved.

Quality and quality control ask for a comprehensive approach. When there is no guarantee that the working conditions at the suppliers are not adequate, the end products are also at risk, as we see now. Unfortunately, and it has been argued here and here over and over again, the strategy of policing your Chinese suppliers has been declared bankrupt. It is failing, has been failing for a long time, and might never have worked really well.

In the light of that discussion it is shocking to see that Mattel get almost the role of a victim, in stead of that of at least a fellow conspirator.

I do not want to follow this line and put also a part of the blame with the consumer, who has been more than happy to get nice products for an every cheaper price. It is the task of the producers, Chinese and others, to make sure their workers and their consumers do not get hurt in the process. The Mattel-recall should be an opportunity to get safer products, both for the consumers and the Chinese workers.

That is most likely against a higher price, but that price the consumers should be willing to pay.