With the arrival of winter, demand for cotton products and quilts has surged, making them popular items in the market. However, some unscrupulous merchants are taking advantage of this trend by selling substandard "black heart cotton" products, often targeting vulnerable groups such as students and migrant workers. In response to these concerns, the Mingwu Road Industrial and Commercial Bureau under the Zhengzhou Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce recently launched a special inspection campaign. A team of 20 officers conducted checks on 15 labor insurance product stores within their jurisdiction to ensure the safety and quality of cotton goods being sold.
During the operation, inspectors focused on verifying whether businesses had valid licenses, proper purchase channels, and complete sales records to prevent "three-no" (no name, no address, no production date) or substandard products from entering the market. One store, located in a temporary building with a steel door, was found to be selling a variety of bedding, including quilt covers. Upon opening one of the quilts, reporters observed black and gray discolored cotton mixed between layers of white fabric—clear signs of poor-quality materials.
Law enforcement officials discovered over 10 "black heart cotton" quilts in this shop, with the owner admitting that around 7 to 8 had already been sold. He claimed he was unaware of the manufacturer and that the quilts were priced very low—around 50 to 60 yuan each. The owner stated that they were mainly sold to migrant workers who couldn't afford more expensive options. “They don’t care about quality, just need something warm,†he said. When asked if it was ethical to sell such unsafe products to those living under bridges, the owner remained silent.
In total, 17 questionable cotton products were found across three stores during the inspection. All of these items have been temporarily confiscated and will be further processed. According to the authorities, "black heart cotton" is a term used to describe banned materials, such as industrial Waste, medical fibrous waste, and recycled clothing. These materials can lead to serious health issues, including diarrhea, lung infections, and skin diseases. Some fillers may even contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, which can cause eye irritation and allergic reactions.
To identify potentially dangerous products, law enforcement advises consumers to check for certification, inspect the filling color, and look for debris or foreign threads. A simple test involves burning a small sample: real cotton burns completely into ash, while "black heart cotton" produces black smoke and a strong, chemical-like odor. By staying informed and vigilant, consumers can protect themselves from these hazardous products and support safer market practices.
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