Made in China: The New Moniker for Danger?

From Barbie Doll toy accessories to toothpaste and children's clothing, and possibly even pet food, the "Made in China" label has become more of a warning sign than simply a label.

It's not just Barbie, it's also Elmo, Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora and Diego, that have been affected.

Summary of The Recent Recalls

September 4, 2007: Barbie Accessory toys recalled due to unsafe levels of lead paint.
September 4, 2007: Bongo Band toys recalled due to unsafe levels of lead paint.
September 4, 2007: Geo Trax Locomotive Toys recalled due to unsafe levels of lead paint.
August 28, 2007: Robbie Ducky™ Kids Watering Cans due to unsafe levels of lead paint.
August 2, 2007: Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer and other Fisher-Price Toys recalled due to unsafe levels of lead paint.
May 4, 2007-July 13, 2007: Various recalls and updates of recalls on toothpaste containing Diethylene Glycol (DEG), which is an ingredient used to make anti-freeze.
Possibly: April 2, 2007: Pet deaths from pet food, may contain ingredients that originated in China.

What do these things have in common? All of the products bare the "Made in China" label.

Can American brands and companies really expect products made overseas to conform to the safety regulations implemented in the US by agencies such as the FDA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission?

From the toothpaste, to lead paint on the Thomas the Tank Engine, the "Made in China" is becoming more a warning sign than anything else.

Products sold in the United States, by law, need to conform to specific safety standards set by various government agencies. Why, then, are so many products manufactured outside of the country, and mainly in China, being allowed to be sold first and then recalled?

Where exactly is the missing link in this process?

U.S. companies farm out their manufacturing to other countries, but still need the products to conform to U.S. safety standards set in place to protect consumers. Are the U.S. companies no longer using and quality assurance to test the products? Why are they selling the products and then testing them?