Concerns are mounting over tainted products from China. Last month the media highlighted reports of toothpaste containing diethylene glycol, a chemical used in antifreeze. Earlier this year, pet food from China that contained melamine was blamed for the deaths of dogs and cats across North America. Regulatory authorities worldwide — including in Japan — have seized or rejected Chinese products for fear that they endanger consumers.

While China has been the focus of these scares, the problem is far more widespread. The global supply chain is not prepared for the constantly rising demand for food and many other products. Some producers are indifferent to the impact of their cutting corners in the pursuit of profits. In other cases, problems result from inexperience, poor regulatory programs and guidance, or a lack of resources to ensure safe production. There are no simple ways to stem the growing number of tainted products in the global market, but rising attention to the problem is a key step — as long as it leads to serious responses rather than scapegoating and finger-pointing.

Since the discovery of melamine-tainted pet food, various countries have rejected Chinese exports of fish, shrimp, prunes, juice with unsafe color additives, baby bibs, jewelry and even the popular Thomas toy trains due to traces of lead paint. Late last month three Japanese importers recalled millions of small-toothpaste sets made in China and sold to inns and hotels after they were found to contain diethylene glycol. For its part, China has impounded shipments of orange pulp and apricots from the United States because they contained "excessive amounts of bacteria and mold" as well as Evian water from France because of bacteria levels that exceeded national standards.