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Q&As since 1989


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Chinese canister set isn't food-safe

2007

Hello,

My daughter purchased a tin looking canister set for me in the Housewares dept. of a "country store," a couple of months ago. I immediatly filled it with flour, sugar, coffee and tea, as the lables read.
The other day, I happened to look at the bottom of one of these canisters...it read, along with the bright red price tag, small stickers saying keep away from children, and for decorative use only.
It also had the name of Ohio Wholesale...made in China--I did a web search, sent an email, and asked about using it as a canister set.
A gal wrote back stating, for decorative use only, however some of her customers put ziplock bags in them to use..
I am upset...and have had a metallic taste in my mouth for days.
I complained to the store, all I got was, can't refund, if no receipt, --I said could I return for a "food grade" canister set...
she in turn sent me two links from their store website listing "food grade" canister sets--the ones I have are also listed on their website--showing food in them.
What are your thoughts...em

Em Macdonald
- Long Beach, Washington, USA

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Sorry for your troubles, Em. For me life is too short to consider using plastic bags inside of cannisters, so I would not use them at all. If they are illustrated with food in them, the advertising was certainly misleading.

Despite the small stickers, I think it is fair to say you were tricked. If you paid by credit card, don't honor it; send the credit card company your letter. Or try the "troubleshooter" in your local newspaper or TV station. Life is also too short to worry about the "metallic taste" as long as you've stopped using them -- clinical tests are always done against placebos because it is impossible to ascertain the physical vs. psychological components in this kind of situation. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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2007

Thanks...did take back...think it was the coffee and galvenized metal making bad taste...it is real, haha--not the first time I have purchased stuff made in China, and little sticker on the bottom...once a teapot at Ross--in housewares, but not for TEA--but, well, that was ROSS...don't usually shop there...this was a good store...
and they did take it back...exchanged for some glass canning jars that I am using for cannister items--MADE IN FRANCE....
Just, sorta makes one wonder...dog food...etc...lets stick to the good ol USA when possible......hard cookie--I grew up in Detroit--another story--thanks for being there...and will sure watch what I buy...did get an echo whistling teakettle, as the morning I was taking cannister set back, the weld on my expensive sorta teakettle handle broke off in my hand...lucky for me, no hot water in it....and this teakettle...made in China...crappy smell to it, and water tastes funny-- but didn't read the small print--ekco made in China--the plot thickens, sincerely, metal poisoned in Long Beach...

Em Macdonald
- Long Beach, Washington, USA

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To say nothing of contributing to the estimated 750,000 annual deaths (according to a New York Times article) that have been attributed to the horrendous pollution there.

Dave Wichern
Consultant - The Bronx, New York
2007

how awful...love the people...lets just import them...hmmm

Em Macdonald
- Long Beach, Washington, USA
2007