CHINA-FREE PRODUCTS: Chinese Candles Recall Announced

CHINA-FREE

DEFINITION chi-na-free adj. A term proposed for use on food labels to show that products are not made in China.

CONTEXT In light of recent health and safety scares regarding Chinese-made food and products, a U.S.-based company called Food for Health International has announced plans to put "China-free" stickers on its goods. The subtext: These products won't make you sick or have harmful contaminants like melamine.

USAGE Given recent recalls of items from toys to toothpaste, China-free labeling could catch on, though consumers would do well to remember that not all products from China are tainted and not all tainted products are from China.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Chinese Candles Recall Announced

About 1,200 birch bark wrapped candles, made in China and imported by Gate Five Group LLC doing business as Roost, because the bark wrapping of the candle can ignite when the candle burns down, posing a fire hazard. The company has received three reports of the birch bark wrapping igniting as the candle burned down but no reports of injuries or property damage. The candles were sold at specialty retailers nationwide from September through October. Details: by phone at 415-339-9500, ext. 212; by Web at http://www.roostco.com or http://www.cpsc.gov.