Product Recalls Give Critics a New Reason to Denounce Dollar Stores

Dollarama has pulled two products from their shelves after tests showed unacceptable levels of bacteria in cosmetic and baby wipes, according to the CBC.

Huggies Pure wipes and Merida cleansing wipes are the products involved. One is a Kimberly-Clark product, the other made by a manufacturer in China. These product recalls have given critics a new reason to denounce dollar stores.

The Huggies brand baby wipes would have left the manufacturer, Kimberly-Clark, conforming to quality standards but they were diverted, meaning that the product was purchased by a middle man and then shipped across the ocean. It is likely that the wipes were not stored properly and that would be what caused the growth of bacteria. Parents who have children with skin conditions should not continue to use these wipes as the bacteria can cause infection for those with a compromised immune system.

Merida cleansing wipes are used to remove eye makeup and lipstick. The wipes tested contained Staphylococcus aureus, which is banned for use in cosmetic products by Health Canada. The bacteria can cause impetigo, boils and folliculitis in people with eczema or broken skin. People with healthy skin are not at great risk.

To hear dollar store critics talk, you'd think that Dollarama is the only store in history that has ever had to make such a recall. Recalls are a retail reality. They happen periodically.

What makes this recall such a crime? It's not the first time that unsafe products have been found in dollar stores. You may recall the 2007 tainted toothpaste from China. Also in 2007, melamine was found in pet food from China. But dollar stores were not the only retailers who were selling these products so why was there so much focus on dollar stores?

The answer is simple: The world has become a scary place. Some people think that, if they deposit all of their shopping fears in the dollar store with it's low price point and walk away, that will somehow keep themselves and their families safe.

Just remember, many of the product scares we've had in the last few years are things that were made in China and dollar stores alone couldn't possibly support the billion dollar Chinese import market. Many of the well-known dog food brands are made in or contain ingredients from China.

Wherever we shop, we'd all do well to check to see where our necessities come from and lay off blaming a single retail model for all our troubles.

RELATED LINKS:
Attention Shoppers! Top 5 Product Recalls of 2011
The Recall Report: Ottawa Launches Healthy Canadians Website
Dollar Store Products That are Made in Canada



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Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer. She writes tips and ideas for budget decorating on her website, Dollar Store Style.