That free stuff you got from Nissan in Japan last week may be shiny and pretty and bold, but it may also give you serious lead poisoning.
"NEW YORK -- Last month, Japanese car shoppers who test drove a Nissan vehicle were given a free logoed coffee mug for their time as a thank you. At least one consumer probably wished he had said, "No, thank you."
According to reports, after drinking from the China-made freebie, he felt ill. It was later discovered that the mug contained excessive amounts of lead. More than 140,000 mugs were subsequently recalled. Nissan could not be reached for comment.
Here in the U.S., California State Health Officials were forced to recall 300,000 lead-laden lunch boxes late last month that, ironically, promoted healthy living. The State of California had been giving away the canvas lunch coolers at fairs and events for the past three years.
These, arguably the first high-profile lead-related recalls of promotional products, may be cause for concern for decision makers who rely on swag as one of the most basic tools in marketing. Logoed pens, mugs and other items were an $18.6 billion business last year, per the Advertising Specialties Institute, Trevose, Pa. Roughly 80% of these products are sourced from China."
