Chinese consumer rights show prompts action on factories turning plastic medical waste into toys
- Used diapers and sanitary pads being shredded and made into new ones also among cases revealed on state broadcaster’s annual programme
- But for the first time in many years, foreign brands were not in the cross hairs
Plastic medical waste recycled and made into toys and bags, and used diapers being shredded and turned into new ones were among the cases exposed on the Chinese state broadcaster’s consumer rights show this year.
But for the first time in many years, foreign brands were not in the cross hairs. The show has previously taken aim at tech giant Apple, carmakers Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Range Rover and Nissan, retailer Muji and food and beverage firm BreadTalk – with accusations ranging from poor after-sales service to using unsuitable materials in their products.
This year, the show’s series of undercover reports focused on Chinese companies. It was aired as Beijing seeks to reassure foreign investors amid a protracted trade war with the United States.
One report accused chicken farmers of using an additive to colour their egg yolks sunset orange. Another said illegal workshops were using dozens of additives in snacks for children. UnionPay’s mobile payment service QuickPass was also in the spotlight, with the claim that users could lose 1,000 yuan (US$150) in just a second because the system was vulnerable to fraud.
