It was the Usry family that volunteered for the ABC series and in the clip below, they explore their home checking the country of origin on products they own.
Made in America: What's In Your Home?
I realize that many shoppers don't consider or check the country of origin prior to purchase. There are though, many shoppers like myself who always check the country of origin before we reach into our wallets.
This series is focused on the importance of job creation but as a manufacturer watching this family explore their home checking products, I thought to myself - fire hazard... risk of formaldehyde... risk of cadmium... lack of durability... risk of lead, etc.
This is an intriguing series and there is another video with my comments in the following post.
Mary - web person for FindUSMade.com
Showing posts with label products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label products. Show all posts
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Product of China - "Organic" Foods
Consumers who carefully check the origin of foods in their local markets, including organic foods, are more often discovering "Product of China" on the packages.
Permit me to tell you a bit about food production in China so you can better determine if there is reason for concern.
Farms operate under the strictest guidelines. Foods may not be genetically modified and must meet international food standards.
Organic tea comes from the foothills of Tibet and is fresh, tender and flavorful. On the grasslands of Inner Mongolia hormone-free beef is produced. Rice is grown from specially cultivated seeds by experts from the Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences and is watered by the melted mountain snow of Mt. Changbai.
These food products, which meet the highest standards are certified and stamped with a “Nation A” label.
That sounds fine, doesn’t it? Is that the organic food that's exported to the U.S.?
No, silly.
Is that the food that is available to the Chinese people?
No silly, I’ve been describing the special food supply, reserved for high level Chinese officials.
Are you now wondering why important officials in China might want and need their own secure and restricted food supply?
Are you wondering that if the absolute best, safest and finest food products are reserved for the Chinese elite, then what grade food is exported to the U.S.?
I'll address those questions.
Let me tell you about one basic food product that is made in China – cooking oil. (You may find the following information somewhat indelicate.)
Restaurants in China have waste tanks and cooking oil is siphoned from the raw sewage in those waste tanks. That tainted oil is then refined and resold.
As you would expect such an oil product contains toxins namely carcinogenic Aflatoxins. Since tainted and toxic recycled sewage oil sells for one half the price of untainted oil, oil producers in China blend the toxic oil with uncontaminated oil to increase their profit margins.
China consumes about 22.5 million tons of cooking oil per year which includes about 2 to 3 million tons of waste oil.
If this is what is produced in China for the consumption of the Chinese people, how much care do you suppose is taken with products that are exported to the U.S.?
In 2008 China experienced a problem with melamine in dairy products. (Melamine mimics protein when tested.) A few children died and hundreds of thousands suffered from kidney disorders. Recently, the problem arose again and Chinese authorities seized about 64 tons of raw dairy materials.
Farmers in China feed their dairy cows low quality feed. That inferior feed leads to low levels of protein in the milk, hence the introduction of melamine so the milk will meet the required minimum protein level.
Despite prohibitions of melamine in dairy products, dairy producers still use melamine. You can see that the authorities in China have a problem.
So, how might the authorities in China address the problem?
Hmmm…
Since it occurs to no one in China that perhaps dairy cows need better feed so their milk will contain more protein, the Chinese government has instead lowered the minimum protein level for dairy products to discourage the use of melamine.
See, the problem is all fixed.
At this point I have to admit, that as an American manufacturer I would never have conceived such a remedy for this problem, never.
The U.S. and China both produce chicken, yet China imports chicken from the U.S. and we import chicken from China. At a glance that seems ridiculous until you consider that there must be a material difference in the products from both countries.
Do you suppose that the U.S. produced chicken qualifies for a "Nation A" label?
When you shop your local market and you stumble upon food products, including organics, that are a product of China, you are also likely to notice the familiar USDA logo as well as other logos on the packaging.
Shouldn’t you, the consumer be able to find certainty and peace of mind in the certifications you find on packaging?
That would be nice but it’s not exactly possible and I’ll explain.
The USDA inspects food that is produced in the U.S. but it does not inspect imported foods. Unfortunately, the USDA certifies private inspection companies which may not be located in the U.S. Those companies may or may not certify food products from China. If they don’t inspect food in China which is possible and likely, then they rely on the certification from an inspector – wait for it – located on the farms themselves in China.
And those inspectors are paid by whom?
That inspector certifies the supposedly organic products to the middleman who certifies the supposedly organic products to the USDA and everyone’s logo and certification goes onto the packaging.
This is the process which enables everyone in the chain from the farmer in China to your grocer to pretend that a food product from China is safe and possibly organic.
This brings me to a recent email I received from a visitor to our site. From time to time I receive emails from folks who wish to share with me, their displeasure of foreign made products.
I read the emails, nod in agreement and reply.
The writer shared with me information about a fine fresh food product, found in my own refrigerator but the producer unfortunately licensed their brand name to another company who exports the U.S. product to China.
Goodness knows I most certainly support U.S. exports, so this isn't necessarily unwise, except in this situation. The food product is then supposedly made into candy and shipped back to the U.S. packaged with a familiar and trusted brand name.
The person who wrote to me had sound concerns about what possible contaminants could be introduced in China during the candy making process while I wondered if U.S. product ever actually made it into the candy.
A food product suitable for my own refrigerator is one I consider “Nation A” grade.
Mary - web person for FindUSMade.com
Permit me to tell you a bit about food production in China so you can better determine if there is reason for concern.
Farms operate under the strictest guidelines. Foods may not be genetically modified and must meet international food standards.
Organic tea comes from the foothills of Tibet and is fresh, tender and flavorful. On the grasslands of Inner Mongolia hormone-free beef is produced. Rice is grown from specially cultivated seeds by experts from the Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences and is watered by the melted mountain snow of Mt. Changbai.
These food products, which meet the highest standards are certified and stamped with a “Nation A” label.
That sounds fine, doesn’t it? Is that the organic food that's exported to the U.S.?
No, silly.
Is that the food that is available to the Chinese people?
No silly, I’ve been describing the special food supply, reserved for high level Chinese officials.
Are you now wondering why important officials in China might want and need their own secure and restricted food supply?
Are you wondering that if the absolute best, safest and finest food products are reserved for the Chinese elite, then what grade food is exported to the U.S.?
I'll address those questions.
Let me tell you about one basic food product that is made in China – cooking oil. (You may find the following information somewhat indelicate.)
Restaurants in China have waste tanks and cooking oil is siphoned from the raw sewage in those waste tanks. That tainted oil is then refined and resold.
As you would expect such an oil product contains toxins namely carcinogenic Aflatoxins. Since tainted and toxic recycled sewage oil sells for one half the price of untainted oil, oil producers in China blend the toxic oil with uncontaminated oil to increase their profit margins.
China consumes about 22.5 million tons of cooking oil per year which includes about 2 to 3 million tons of waste oil.
If this is what is produced in China for the consumption of the Chinese people, how much care do you suppose is taken with products that are exported to the U.S.?
In 2008 China experienced a problem with melamine in dairy products. (Melamine mimics protein when tested.) A few children died and hundreds of thousands suffered from kidney disorders. Recently, the problem arose again and Chinese authorities seized about 64 tons of raw dairy materials.
Farmers in China feed their dairy cows low quality feed. That inferior feed leads to low levels of protein in the milk, hence the introduction of melamine so the milk will meet the required minimum protein level.
Despite prohibitions of melamine in dairy products, dairy producers still use melamine. You can see that the authorities in China have a problem.
So, how might the authorities in China address the problem?
Hmmm…
Since it occurs to no one in China that perhaps dairy cows need better feed so their milk will contain more protein, the Chinese government has instead lowered the minimum protein level for dairy products to discourage the use of melamine.
See, the problem is all fixed.
At this point I have to admit, that as an American manufacturer I would never have conceived such a remedy for this problem, never.
The U.S. and China both produce chicken, yet China imports chicken from the U.S. and we import chicken from China. At a glance that seems ridiculous until you consider that there must be a material difference in the products from both countries.
Do you suppose that the U.S. produced chicken qualifies for a "Nation A" label?
When you shop your local market and you stumble upon food products, including organics, that are a product of China, you are also likely to notice the familiar USDA logo as well as other logos on the packaging.
That would be nice but it’s not exactly possible and I’ll explain.
The USDA inspects food that is produced in the U.S. but it does not inspect imported foods. Unfortunately, the USDA certifies private inspection companies which may not be located in the U.S. Those companies may or may not certify food products from China. If they don’t inspect food in China which is possible and likely, then they rely on the certification from an inspector – wait for it – located on the farms themselves in China.
And those inspectors are paid by whom?
That inspector certifies the supposedly organic products to the middleman who certifies the supposedly organic products to the USDA and everyone’s logo and certification goes onto the packaging.
This is the process which enables everyone in the chain from the farmer in China to your grocer to pretend that a food product from China is safe and possibly organic.
This brings me to a recent email I received from a visitor to our site. From time to time I receive emails from folks who wish to share with me, their displeasure of foreign made products.
I read the emails, nod in agreement and reply.
The writer shared with me information about a fine fresh food product, found in my own refrigerator but the producer unfortunately licensed their brand name to another company who exports the U.S. product to China.
Goodness knows I most certainly support U.S. exports, so this isn't necessarily unwise, except in this situation. The food product is then supposedly made into candy and shipped back to the U.S. packaged with a familiar and trusted brand name.
The person who wrote to me had sound concerns about what possible contaminants could be introduced in China during the candy making process while I wondered if U.S. product ever actually made it into the candy.
A food product suitable for my own refrigerator is one I consider “Nation A” grade.
Mary - web person for FindUSMade.com
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Observations of Growth in U.S. Manufacturing & Consumer Power
Detailed multi colored reports with graphs are nice, but they don't compare to what my own eyes witness.
We've been conducting a full review of each department on our site. This presented the opportunity for me to visit some businesses I hadn't personally browsed in several months. I am the one who is most familiar with the inventory of all the companies we list.
I'm very pleased to share my observations and conclusions. Keep in mind this involves domestic consumer products and this is happening in a down economy at a time when banks aren't lending.
My observations:
We removed only one link to a site that appears to be offline. It's possible that one company ceased operations but we'll return in the future to see if a new site appears.
Many smaller companies have invested in their web sites and have redesigned them or added e-commerce. Some companies with attractive and well designed sites have further improved their web sites.
The updates of a number of web sites now permit them to search in our Marketplace search. Those sites have since been added and their products can now more easily be found via that feature on our site.
Many American manufacturers have expanded their lines. Some have even expanded their lines into other types of products suitable for listing in additional departments. My own company contributed a new product to the marketplace this year so we too are part of this trend.
There are several manufacturers who are having difficulty meeting demand. They are noting for their customers the expected future date when they can fill orders. (I'm wondering if those companies will soon hire.)
Many retail sites where a keyword such as "USA" was necessary is now unnecessary because those retailers have since added Made in USA departments to their sites.
We've recently added to our site two new online malls that are filled with U.S. made consumer goods.
We also came across several retailers suggesting to their visitors that purchases of Made in USA products be made early, prior to need because of increased demand for such goods. One retailer even described the increased demand as "extreme."
We check many things related to the sites we list, including their traffic. The trend is up for nearly all sites, including other directories, Blogs & resources. This indicates to us that there is definitely an increased interest & demand for U.S. made product.
There is willingness, even in a down economy, to manufacture in the U.S. and enter the marketplace. This is demonstrated to us by a growing number of new companies that we set aside for research & review prior to appearing on our site.
Overall I see progress, growth and expansion with the American manufacturers & selected retailers we list and I am heartened. I'm looking forward to a full review of the remaining departments.
My conclusions:
I conclude that when you, the consumer, take the time and make the effort to purchase an American made product, you do much more than just snag a great product and a good value for yourself. That reason alone is really all the motivation a consumer needs.
Given what I'm witnessing, the dollars that consumers traded for U.S. made goods supported American workers & American manufacturers and enabled them to prosper. When able to expand, such companies will expand and deliver additional U.S. made goods to the marketplace providing consumers with greater variety and selection of Made in USA products.
Those consumers who shop for U.S. made product have actually invested in U.S. manufacturing. It appears that prudent and motivated consumers are a fine substitute for a negligent Wall Street.
Now consider Mr. Griggs, a motivated consumer who invested differently in the marketplace.
Mr. Griggs was a consumer with a need for a set of matching stainless flatware. He searched numerous big box stores and of course noticed the lack of a Made in USA option for flatware.
Mr. Griggs understands the same as I, that consumers can not be expected to find the value in the marketplace if a Made in USA option is not present.
The choice of one shoddy product from Country A and some other shoddy product from Country B is not a real choice. Where was the option for the consumer who is looking for quality and a fair trade for their money?
Mr. Griggs faced a lack of choice. He knew though what he wanted, what the marketplace needed and what consumers deserved. He spent about a year working on a solution to his problem and he now has his set of matching flatware. It is manufactured in Sherrill, New York. He's now in business selling Made in USA 18/10 & 18/8 stainless steel flatware in 9 tasteful patterns. I have no doubt this flatware will make it from one generation to the next.
Well done Mr. Griggs.
While the review continues I will of course be shopping. Epicurean is now manufacturing kitchen utensils & coasters, Okabashi is now manufacturing children's footwear and The Three Weavers are back in business.
American manufacturers seem intent on keeping me busy with updates to our site while tempting me with desirable product.
Good on 'em.
Mary - web person for FindUSMade.com
We've been conducting a full review of each department on our site. This presented the opportunity for me to visit some businesses I hadn't personally browsed in several months. I am the one who is most familiar with the inventory of all the companies we list.
I'm very pleased to share my observations and conclusions. Keep in mind this involves domestic consumer products and this is happening in a down economy at a time when banks aren't lending.
My observations:
We removed only one link to a site that appears to be offline. It's possible that one company ceased operations but we'll return in the future to see if a new site appears.
Many smaller companies have invested in their web sites and have redesigned them or added e-commerce. Some companies with attractive and well designed sites have further improved their web sites.
The updates of a number of web sites now permit them to search in our Marketplace search. Those sites have since been added and their products can now more easily be found via that feature on our site.
Many American manufacturers have expanded their lines. Some have even expanded their lines into other types of products suitable for listing in additional departments. My own company contributed a new product to the marketplace this year so we too are part of this trend.
There are several manufacturers who are having difficulty meeting demand. They are noting for their customers the expected future date when they can fill orders. (I'm wondering if those companies will soon hire.)
Many retail sites where a keyword such as "USA" was necessary is now unnecessary because those retailers have since added Made in USA departments to their sites.
We've recently added to our site two new online malls that are filled with U.S. made consumer goods.
We also came across several retailers suggesting to their visitors that purchases of Made in USA products be made early, prior to need because of increased demand for such goods. One retailer even described the increased demand as "extreme."
We check many things related to the sites we list, including their traffic. The trend is up for nearly all sites, including other directories, Blogs & resources. This indicates to us that there is definitely an increased interest & demand for U.S. made product.
There is willingness, even in a down economy, to manufacture in the U.S. and enter the marketplace. This is demonstrated to us by a growing number of new companies that we set aside for research & review prior to appearing on our site.
Overall I see progress, growth and expansion with the American manufacturers & selected retailers we list and I am heartened. I'm looking forward to a full review of the remaining departments.
My conclusions:
I conclude that when you, the consumer, take the time and make the effort to purchase an American made product, you do much more than just snag a great product and a good value for yourself. That reason alone is really all the motivation a consumer needs.
Given what I'm witnessing, the dollars that consumers traded for U.S. made goods supported American workers & American manufacturers and enabled them to prosper. When able to expand, such companies will expand and deliver additional U.S. made goods to the marketplace providing consumers with greater variety and selection of Made in USA products.
Those consumers who shop for U.S. made product have actually invested in U.S. manufacturing. It appears that prudent and motivated consumers are a fine substitute for a negligent Wall Street.
Now consider Mr. Griggs, a motivated consumer who invested differently in the marketplace.
Mr. Griggs was a consumer with a need for a set of matching stainless flatware. He searched numerous big box stores and of course noticed the lack of a Made in USA option for flatware.
Mr. Griggs understands the same as I, that consumers can not be expected to find the value in the marketplace if a Made in USA option is not present.
The choice of one shoddy product from Country A and some other shoddy product from Country B is not a real choice. Where was the option for the consumer who is looking for quality and a fair trade for their money?
Mr. Griggs faced a lack of choice. He knew though what he wanted, what the marketplace needed and what consumers deserved. He spent about a year working on a solution to his problem and he now has his set of matching flatware. It is manufactured in Sherrill, New York. He's now in business selling Made in USA 18/10 & 18/8 stainless steel flatware in 9 tasteful patterns. I have no doubt this flatware will make it from one generation to the next.
Well done Mr. Griggs.
While the review continues I will of course be shopping. Epicurean is now manufacturing kitchen utensils & coasters, Okabashi is now manufacturing children's footwear and The Three Weavers are back in business.
American manufacturers seem intent on keeping me busy with updates to our site while tempting me with desirable product.
Good on 'em.
Mary - web person for FindUSMade.com
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Country of Origin Labeling on Meat Products
New labeling requirements for meat products are now in effect which should hopefully better inform consumers about the origin of meat offered to them in stores.
One contributor to our site lives in a state that shares a border with Mexico. He phoned today with concerns about labeling he saw on a package of ground beef he found at a Walmart store. It might be helpful then to review the guidelines for this new labeling. If you shop for meat products of US origin, you need to check for this particular labeling:
Muscle Cut Labels
United States Origin - only meat from livestock that are born, raised and processed in the US may say "Product of the US."
Ground Meat Product Labels
United States Origin - only meat from livestock that are born, raised and processed into ground meat in the US may say "Product of the US."
What that contributor discovered of concern to him was a package of ground beef that was labeled, "Product of USA, Canada, Mexico" He asked if he should believe that the beef in the package came from all three countries.
One contributor to our site lives in a state that shares a border with Mexico. He phoned today with concerns about labeling he saw on a package of ground beef he found at a Walmart store. It might be helpful then to review the guidelines for this new labeling. If you shop for meat products of US origin, you need to check for this particular labeling:
Muscle Cut Labels
United States Origin - only meat from livestock that are born, raised and processed in the US may say "Product of the US."
Ground Meat Product Labels
United States Origin - only meat from livestock that are born, raised and processed into ground meat in the US may say "Product of the US."
What that contributor discovered of concern to him was a package of ground beef that was labeled, "Product of USA, Canada, Mexico" He asked if he should believe that the beef in the package came from all three countries.
I explained to him the problem I saw with the new regulations as they pertain to ground meat. It's possible that this package actually contains beef from all three countries, and it might also contain beef from just two countries; perhaps Mexico and Canada. It's also possible that this package actually contains beef sourced only from Mexico but was produced in a US plant that typically also sources raw materials from Canada and the US for other products.
Unfortunately, the consumer still won't know the country of origin from such a label. Ground beef may be sourced from different countries to be processed in one US plant and the label need only reflect the countries from which the company typically sourced its raw materials for products over the past few months.
In the US we also typically source leaner beef from grass fed livestock from New Zealand & Australia, countries that may be listed on some labels of ground beef.
We also import young cattle from Mexico & Canada to be fed & fattened in the US. Meat products from such cattle will carry multiple countries of origin on their labels.
If the consumer desires a truly domestic meat product, they will need to seek the "Product of the US" label.
The phone conversation I had with this contributor was overheard by shoppers in the Walmart store. At the end of our conversation he told me that nearby shoppers had removed packages of meat from their carts and returned them to the meat case. He, and perhaps the nearby shoppers, had concerns that the ground beef offered at this Walmart store was likely sourced from Mexico and produced in a plant that also processes meat from the US and Canada.
Unfortunately, the new label does nothing to designate the actual country of origin of ground beef for consumers.
After shoppers decided against their meat purchases, our contributor was asked to leave the store by Walmart personnel. While I've proudly never set foot in a Walmart store, he is quite accustomed to such treatment. He's learned repeatedly that Walmart does not like information sharing with their customers, even accidental sharing from overheard cell phone conversations.
It could be the new country of origin labeling is an improvement but not yet satisfactory for consumers, at least with ground meat products.
Sources for domestic meat & seafood products can be found in our Gourmet Food/Drink department.
Mary - Web person for FindUSMade.com
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Discover American Manufacturing
Find US Made.com can be a learning experience for visitors. Not everyone is aware that we produce potato vodka, caviar & extra virgin olive oil in the US.
Our oldest rice mill is still in operation as well as Indiana’s oldest commercial water-powered flour mill. Since 1888, Charles H. Baldwin has produced possibly the absolute best vanilla extract. The Frye Co. is our oldest continuously operated shoe company and for the past 166 years, Johnson Woolen Mills has been producing wool apparel.
Consumers are wise. When they find a value, they return to it time and again which explains our 8th generation companies.
Recycling and technology has brought new businesses and new products to the American marketplace. The growing demand for organic products is being met by many of them. Environmental concerns are spawning eco-friendly products and I believe technology will one day fulfill consumers wildest dreams.
What is common to both long established companies & the new companies listed on our site, are their values and their dedication to domestic manufacturing. They chose to employ Americans. They chose to be subject to our laws, codes & regulations. They also chose to compete in the American marketplace, even against unfair subsidized foreign competition. American manufacturers have moxie, don't they?
Even the merchants that we list, carefully selected the lines they would offer to consumers, and they wisely chose to include American made goods.
Your local large retailer has no doubt selfishly chosen to limit your options by filling their stores with imported products. Unfortunately, you, the consumer is not well served by limited options. You can't be expected to find the value in the marketplace if US made products are absent.
Permit us then to introduce you to the choices you've been missing.
Consumers deserve their choice of US made large stainless steel utensils from Kwik Kut, 6 pieces for $11.25. Casual shorts from Duck Scrubs are $10.00. An organic cotton nightshirt from SOS From Texas is $12.50. A 17 piece recycled plastic tea set from Green Toys is $24.99. The consumer also has the choice of colored glass tree ornaments from Bronner's, 8 for $4.99.
Consumers should be aware of all available options, and we're working hard to spotlight the US made products so often absent from your local store.
The most recent generation of American manufacturers - you know, the ones with moxie, are anxious to meet you. They've worked hard in the American marketplace while playing by the rules and they deserve the opportunity to meet and hopefully impress you. I've visited each and every one of the thousands of locations listed on our site and goodness knows they've impressed me.
Now I'm wondering which of these new companies will be in their 8th generation years from now.
The wise consumer will explore their options and discover value in the marketplace. They'll be rewarded with products they'd purchase again from the manufacturers who earn their business.
What might you discover?
Mary - web person for Find US Made.com
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Shopping One's Own Site
It was I, primarily who gathered everyone's folders to review and verify sites and links for Find US Made.com. The first round of links was only about 1,500. I visited each of those sites, reviewed & verified them and took an appropriate inventory for the descriptions.
There are several types of shopper and I'm basically a need based shopper. Grocers' would call me a "cherry picker" which I find complimentary. As a discerning shopper I don't shop casually or for recreation. On occasion I'll window shop but I'm basically on a straightforward mission. Impress me quickly or I'm out the door.
I was not in need of anything when I started to work on our site, nor did I expect to shop. I was surprised then to find myself reaching for my wallet several times as the departments took shape. I spent a few hundred dollars and I was thrilled with my purchases. In fact, I returned to the pages to re-order some items. That quickly, we were shopping via our own site generating domestic commerce. That experience demonstrated to me that American manufacturers, merchants and their goods were appealing enough to tempt someone who wasn't even shopping. We smiled and wondered how well then our site could help a shopper on a mission.
My wallet had a rest for successive rounds of links mostly due to the nature of the departments. I have additional folders to review though but at least I know now the likelihood of spotting merchandise that I would like to purchase. My wallet is nearby...
Mary - web person for Find US Made.com
There are several types of shopper and I'm basically a need based shopper. Grocers' would call me a "cherry picker" which I find complimentary. As a discerning shopper I don't shop casually or for recreation. On occasion I'll window shop but I'm basically on a straightforward mission. Impress me quickly or I'm out the door.
I was not in need of anything when I started to work on our site, nor did I expect to shop. I was surprised then to find myself reaching for my wallet several times as the departments took shape. I spent a few hundred dollars and I was thrilled with my purchases. In fact, I returned to the pages to re-order some items. That quickly, we were shopping via our own site generating domestic commerce. That experience demonstrated to me that American manufacturers, merchants and their goods were appealing enough to tempt someone who wasn't even shopping. We smiled and wondered how well then our site could help a shopper on a mission.
My wallet had a rest for successive rounds of links mostly due to the nature of the departments. I have additional folders to review though but at least I know now the likelihood of spotting merchandise that I would like to purchase. My wallet is nearby...
Mary - web person for Find US Made.com
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