Going American

Thursday, May 20, 2010

GE Coffee Makers Made in China Recalled Today

Yesterday Walmart had to recall made in China jewelry, now today they are recalling GE coffee makers, also made in China. These coffee makers have been known to overheat and cause fires. If you own this coffee maker, return it immediately for a refund. It is the General Electric 12-cup digital coffee makers sold in white or black. The model numbers are 169164 Black and 169165 White. The coffee makers were were sold between March 2008 and January 2010 at a price of $30.

Story link:
Wal-Mart Recalls GE Coffee Makers Due to Fire Hazard

Previously recalled in 2009, the Black & Decker brand Spacemaker Coffee makers model numbers ODC440, ODC440B, ODC450 and ODC460. The model number can be located on the back of the coffee maker.
Sold at: Major retailers nationwide, including K-Mart, Kohl’s, Target, Wal-Mart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Amazon.com, from March 2006 through March 2009 for between $60 and $70. Manufactured in China.
Story link:
Recall: Black & Decker Spacemaker Coffeemakers Due to Burn Hazard

Warning! Miley Cyrus Jewelry Recalled May 19th

More bad news again about jewelry made in China. Walmart has pulled Miley Cyrus jewelry from it's shelves for high levels of cadmium. Long-term exposure to cadmium can lead to bone softening and kidney failure. It is also a known carcinogen, and research suggests that it can, like lead, hinder brain development in the very young.
Data from a major national study found that girls of that age absorb more cadmium than other children or adults, according to Bruce A. Fowler, a toxicologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The increased absorption could be because those girls typically have iron deficiency and their bodies grab onto cadmium as a substitute, Fowler said, or it could be because they encounter more of the metal in objects such as jewelry

Dangerous jewelry from China has already been recalled from Claire's and dollar stores.

Here are links to the stories:
Miley Cyrus Jewelry Recall
Children's Necklaces Sold Exclusively at Claire's Stores Recalled Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard
Boy Dies After Swallowing Lead-Filled Charm

Please, please stop buying any jewelry that is made in China! If you have any of this jewelry take it away from your kids and return it for a refund.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Bakeware made in the USA

I headed out today to get a new pizza pan. I was determined to only buy one made in the US or buy none at all. I decided to check out Ross. I easily found 3 different brands of pizza pans. One brand made in Indonesia, another made in China and the third made in the USA. Yeah! That was quick. Only one store and I had what I wanted. It was the E-Z Baker Pizza Crisper by G&S Metal Products Company of Cleveland, OH.

They have a website at gsmetal.com which shows all of their available products. They have lots of different cooking and bakeware products available. Look for them at a store near you. Their products are also available online at amazon.com.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Do you know where your food is coming from?

Are you eating food from China and giving your kids juice from China without even knowing it? I was outraged when I found out that the juice and foods that I eat and feed to my children are from China. There have already been many instances of tainted seafood, poisoned baby formula, poisoned toothpaste and poisoned dog food from China. Yet, American companies still sell us food products from China.

Del Monte really makes me angry. I thought they were an American company I could trust. Especially after they were one of the companies that had to recall dog food and dog treats for being tainted. You would think they cleaned up their act but you would be wrong. Now I find that my jars of Del Monte Sun Fresh Mandarin oranges are all from China! What are they thinking? It's all about making money, no matter what the risk to people. Beware of their fruit cups too, the Mandarin oranges and peaches are from China. I also found my cans of Madam Mandarin oranges (purchased at Walgreens) are also from China. Word to the wise, avoid Mandarin oranges period.

Think juice drinks are healthy for your kids? Did you know that most apple juice is from China? Have a look at Capri Sun. You'll have to look really hard to find the tiny imprint that tells you that their apple juice is from China. Juicy Juice's label says it's juice is from Argentina. Mott's apple juice, you'll need to get your magnifying glass out to find the tiny China on the label. These companies deliberately try to hide the fact that their juice is from China. Talk about a snake in the grass, I just bought two large apple juices from BJ's Wholesale Club of their store brand Berkley & Jensen. I looked all over the bottles to see where the juice was from and on the back is says "Made in the USA". I was really excited thinking I had found a brand of juice I could feel safe about giving my children. It wasn't until I went to pour my daughter a glass that I noticed carefully hidden in between the design of the bottles shape was stamped "Concentrate from Argentina/China". You can bet I will be returning it for a refund and they are going to get an earful from me both in person and by email. I do not appreciate a store trying to deceive me like this and I will not be renewing my BJ's membership if this is the sort of dirty pool they play.

Beware!! BJ's Berkley & Jensen brand apple juice leads you to believe you are getting juice made in the US with this tricky label!

Here are just a few of the reports about foods from China.

Vietnam Receives Contaminated Fruit from China
Apple Juice: As American As Anything From China
FDA Detains Contaminated Seafood from China
Contaminated Green Tea from China
Imported Foods Rarely Inspected
Greenpeace Finds Highly Toxic Fruits & Vegetables
Tainted Pork, Chicken and Fish

Solution? Try to find local orchards that make their own apple juice. Buy locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Brands to look for:

For apple juice try Martinelli's brand apple juice. So far they are the only brand of apple juice I have been able to find that is grown in the US.

For orange juice look for Florida's Naturals which is 100% percent Florida orange juice.

Also visit US Grown Foods website.

Always CHECK the labels of everything before buying. Companies do make production changes so please check before buying.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Show Your Pride with an American Made Flag

I have heard many complaints from people who buy an American flag only to discover it was made in China.

Today I purchased this 3x5 flag made by Valley Forge at The Home Depot for $19.92. It is 100% made in the USA. If you don't have a Home Depot near you, you can order Valley Forge flags online in a variety of sizes. Get ready for the 4th of July and show your pride with a US flag that is actually made in America.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

What products are in your home?

I compiled a list of products I have in my home to see where they were made. I did find several brands that do not list a country of manufacture on the labels. I a contacting each of those companies to find out where they were made. I will update my post as I get responses.

HOUSEHOLD/CLEANING PRODUCTS
MADE IN THE USA

Ajax Liquid Dish Soap
Clorox Bleach Pen Gel
Clorox Ultimate Care Bleach
Dawn Direct Dishwashing Foam Soap
Glad ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Bags
Libman mops, brooms and cleaning tools
Libman Long Handle Scrub Brush
Lysol Brand Concentrate - all purpose cleaner
Lysol disinfecting wipes
Marcel Small Steps paper products
Method Best in Glass cleaner
Method Multi-Surface Cleaner
Method Daily Shower Cleaner
Method Best in Glass Cleaner
Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaner
Seventh Generation, Shower Cleaner
Seventh Generation, Bathroom Cleaner
Snuggle Fabric Softener
Snuggle dryer sheets
Soft Scrub bleach cleaner
Tide Simple Pleasures laundry detergent
Tide Stain Release
Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover
Walgreens brand laundry stain remover pre-treat spray
Walgreens brand facial tissues
Weiman Granite Wipes

HEALTH/BEAUTY
MADE IN THE USA

Aussie Shampoo
Aussie Sydney Smooth Treatment 3 Minute Miracle Treatment
Aussie Aussome Volume Spray Gel
Aussie Instant Freeze Hairspray Aerosol
Aquafresh Fluoride Toothpaste
Axe Shower Gel
Borghese Nail Lacquer
Bioinfusion shampoos & conditioners
Clearasil Ultra Deep Pore Cleansing Pads
Dove Shampoos & Conditioners
Herbal Essences hair products (made in US of imported materials)
OPI Nail Polish
Oral B Manual Toothbrushes
Orly nail polish
Oxy Maximum Daily Cleansing Pads(no info on Oxy package, as per phone call to company they assured me that Oxy products are made in Orchard Park, NY)
Walgreens brand textured cotton rounds
Softsoap Elements Liquid Hand Soap
Sally Hansen nail polish
Schick Hydro Shave Gel
Studio Tools (Target store brand) nail polish remover
Suave for Kids Detangling Spray
Suave Naturals Body Wash
Suave Naturals Shampoo
ThermaCare Heat Wraps
Thermasilk Shampoos & Conditioners
Village Naturals Bath Shoppe products

OTHER PRODUCTS
MADE IN THE USA

Office Depot jumbo paper clips
Huggies Baby Wipes

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS NOT MADE IN THE US

AT&T calculator (China)
Ben Gay (Canada)
Conair Nano Silver hair dryer (China)
CVS brand portable toothbrush with flosser (China)
Dyson vacuums (China)
Fruitopia hair products (Canada)
GE General Electric portable radio (China)
Glade candles (Canada)
Gillette Fusion razors (Poland)
GUM toothbrush (China)
Homedics clock radio (China)
HP printer ink (Maylasia)
Listerine Smart Rinse (Canada)
Lubriderm lotion (Canada)
Panasonic cordless phones (Maylasia)
Playtex Handsaver gloves (Maylasia)
Reach toothbrush (China)
Salon Series curling iron (China)
Quickie Home-Pro cleaning tools (China)
U by Kotex feminine products (China)
Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion (Mexico)
Viologe hair products (Canada)
Walgreens Corner Office envelopes (Indonesia)