An elderly woman in Binchuan County, Yunnan mistook a watermelon-flavored bathroom cleaner, packaged like a drink with a fairy bear design, for a beverage and gave it to her grandchildren. As a result, she suffered severe burns to her mouth and esophagus, leading to an emergency hospitalization.
Recently, food-like packaging of household cleaning products is rampant across the country. Many strong cleaning agents and toilet cleaner gels are made to resemble pink cartoon characters, or look like candy, jelly, and yogurt cups. Warning labels are often hidden in small print on the back.
Legal experts state that such misleading packaging does not relieve the legal responsibility of manufacturers. Professionals advise that packaging should not only meet national standards but also have stronger identification functions to prevent such tragedies.
Such incidents have become increasingly common in schools and households, drawing social attention. Experts urge regulators to strengthen supervision over household chemical packaging, demanding that packaging clearly distinguish products from food and other items to avoid similar tragedies.
Industry analysis shows that cleaning product companies often over-emphasize product appeal by mimicking food packaging design without considering the visibility of safety labels. This not only violates industry norms but also poses potential health risks to consumers.
Currently, several cleaning product companies have tried to improve their product packaging designs. Some brands have introduced non-misleading designs, using more prominent labels, colors, and patterns to make them easier to identify for the elderly.
Experts recommend that cleaning products should be stored in locations where they are out of reach for children. At the same time, elderly individuals should be empowered to recognize these products through regular checks, ensuring their safety.