PARIS – A popular clothing chain in France has been forced to remove Chinese-made boots and shoes. Etam has also cut all commercial ties with the Chinese supplier and has forbid its other suppliers from using the suspected chemical antagonist.

The footwear was treated with an anti-fungal agent called dimethylfumarate, which is supposed to fight both humidity and mold growth. This compound appears to have been responsible for dermatitis among consumers who purchased the footwear.

This isn’t the first time that dimethylfumarate has been linked to rashes. A similar case in France had the furniture retailer, Conforama, withdrawing chairs from the market after consumers complained. Conforama warned clients in the summer that Chinese-made recliners posed a a potential risk to the allergic. Conforma also pointed to the dimethylfumarate used in the chair’s production.

A statement from Etam indicated that a customer had developed a rash after wearing a new pair of boots. Her dermatologist pointed the finger directly at dimethylfumarate. While a link between the allergic reactions and the sachets of dimethylfumarate is not confirmed, an independent laboratory in France is conducting tests that will be released later in November.

As most people know, this is not the first time that Chinese products have come under fire. There have been a series of high-profile recalls, including the 2007 tainted pet food scandal, which was followed up this year by the tainted dairy scandal. In both cases, the contaminant was melamine, a toxic chemical that can cause fatal kidney failure. It was reported that 54, 000 Chinese babies were sick due to tainted baby formula, when news reportage on the sick and ill inside China stopped.

China has a poor safety record, with contaminated seafood, toothpaste, candy, pet food all making it to market.

In most cases, it makes sense to buy products from countries that have excellent safety records as well as strong consumer protection protocols.

Source: Associated Press and Be Allergy Wise