Firm apologizes for toxic bead toys_财经新闻

Firm apologizes for toxic bead toys

文章来源：文章作者：发布时间：2007-11-29 08:04 字体： [大中小]　进入论坛

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Nov. 29 - The Chinese producer of the bead¹ toys that caused massive recalls in the United States and Australia apologized Wednesday for using a toxic² chemical and damaging the reputation of the made-in-China label.

The apology from Hong Kong-based JSSY Limited Company came 20 days after the US recalled 4.2 million pieces of the toys for containing 1,4-butanediol, a chemical that can turn toxic and cause unconsciousness, earning it notoriety as a "date rape³" drug. Similar recalls were made in Australia.

In the written apology, JSSY admitted that it had used the toxic chemical as a softener⁴.

It said Australia-based Moose Enterprises sent the company some bead samples in September 2005, and asked it to develop products with similar outlook and function.

The company said it decided⁵ to use 1,4-butanediol as a softener for its expansibility and viscidity - or adhesive⁶ nature - in a contract toy factory in Shenzhen, and then exported the products to Moose. The toys were then sold as Moose products in the US and Australia.

The Associated Press reported that the toys were supposed to be made with the nontoxic 1,5-pentanediol, a chemical commonly used in computer printer ink. However, this costs three or four times more.

At least five children in the two countries have been reported to be ill after swallowing the beads⁷.

JSSY said: "We apologize to the children who have fallen ill after swallowing the beads, and their families. We also apologize to other Chinese toymakers who have been affected⁸ by the damage to the made-in-China label.

"We'll tighten⁹ risk analysis and management of chemicals to ensure product safety in future production."

The General Administration of Quality Supervision¹⁰, Inspection¹¹ and Quarantine (AQSIQ), the country's top quality watchdog, said in a statement Wednesday that it would punish the enterprises involved according to law.

Exports of the bead toys were suspended as soon as the recalls were reported, and the export license¹² of the toy factory in Shenzhen has also been revoked¹³.

However, Customs figures in Guangdong Province, which produces 70 percent of the toys for export, show that export demand has rebounded¹⁵ despite a spate¹⁶ of recalls this year.

The value of toys exported by Guangdong slipped by 5.4 percent in September compared to the same period last year, but bounced back to register a year-on-year increase of 27.6 percent last month, the Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday.

Customs analysts¹⁷ said the rebound¹⁴ was spurred by rising demand in the Christmas retail¹⁸ season, and it also shows that toy recalls abroad proved to have had limited impact on the province's toy exports.

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收听单词发音

1 bead
n.念珠；(pl.)珠子项链；水珠
参考例句：
She accidentally swallowed a glass bead.她不小心吞下了一颗玻璃珠。 She has a beautiful glass bead and a bracelet in the box.盒子里有一颗美丽的玻璃珠和手镯。

2 toxic
adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的
参考例句：
The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。 There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。

3 rape
n.抢夺，掠夺，强奸；vt.掠夺，抢夺，强奸
参考例句：
The rape of the countryside had a profound ravage on them.对乡村的掠夺给他们造成严重创伤。 He was brought to court and charged with rape.他被带到法庭并被指控犯有强奸罪。

4 softener
n.起软化作用的东西，软化剂，柔软剂
参考例句：
This is a good fabric softener for woolens. 这是一种很好的羊毛织物柔软剂。 Ion exchange softening Series: If Mobile-bed tower, Combined softener and Automatic softener. 离子交换软化系列：如三塔流动床、组合式软水器和全自动软水器。

5 decided
adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
参考例句：
This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。 There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 adhesive
n.粘合剂；adj.可粘着的，粘性的
参考例句：
You'll need a strong adhesive to mend that chair. 你需要一种粘性很强的东西来修理那把椅子。 Would you give me an adhesive stamp?请给我一枚带胶邮票好吗？

7 beads
n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链
参考例句：
a necklace of wooden beads 一条木珠项链 Beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. 他的前额上挂着汗珠。

8 affected
adj.不自然的，假装的
参考例句：
She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。 His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

9 tighten
v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧
参考例句：
Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。 Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。

10 supervision
n.监督，管理
参考例句：
The work was done under my supervision.这项工作是在我的监督之下完成的。 The old man's will was executed under the personal supervision of the lawyer.老人的遗嘱是在律师的亲自监督下执行的。

11 inspection
n.检查，审查，检阅
参考例句：
On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。 The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。

12 license
n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许
参考例句：
The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。 The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

13 revoked
adj.[法]取消的v.撤销，取消，废除( revoke的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
It may be revoked if the check is later dishonoured. 以后如支票被拒绝支付，结算可以撤销。来自辞典例句 A will is revoked expressly. 遗嘱可以通过明示推翻。来自辞典例句

14 rebound
v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回
参考例句：
The vibrations accompanying the rebound are the earth quake.伴随这种回弹的振动就是地震。 Our evil example will rebound upon ourselves.我们的坏榜样会回到我们自己头上的。

15 rebounded
弹回( rebound的过去式和过去分词 )；反弹；产生反作用；未能奏效
参考例句：
The ball rebounded from the goalpost and Owen headed it in. 球从门柱弹回，欧文头球将球攻进。 The ball rebounded from his racket into the net. 球从他的球拍上弹回网中。

16 spate
n.泛滥，洪水，突然的一阵
参考例句：
Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the area.警察正在调查这一地区发生的大量盗窃案。 Refugees crossed the border in full spate.难民大量地越过了边境。

17 analysts
分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )
参考例句：
City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。 I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

18 retail
v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格
参考例句：
In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。 These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

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