CBC Marketplace is a Canadian news program series which has been airing since 1972 that uncovers the wrongdoings of businesses in the marketplace. Their efforts have exposed the unethical and unfair trade practices of many companies which also includes ‘Shein’, a very popular online fast fashion retailer. In this blog, I will review and reflect on one of the articles published by CBC Marketplace which uncovers the truth behind the fast fashion.

Health Canada ordered the whole country to destroy or stop using a toddler jacket being sold by Shein due to the presence of excess amount of lead which was 20 times higher than the limit allowed and the Health Canada advisory also stated Shein will automatically issue a full refund to anyone who purchased the product. Exposure to lead can cause serious health issues to brain, heart, kidneys and reproductive system, especially to children. “People should be shocked,” said Miriam Diamond, an environmental chemist and professor at the University of Toronto. People who tend to purchase cheap fast fashion clothes and accessories from online retailers are exposing themselves to toxic chemicals. (Stephanie Matteis, 2021).

Health Canada’s interference is indeed a good step but toxicity in fashion is a serious concern as fast fashion has spread its roots among younger generation and the companies involved in this are exploiting their most important right, ‘right to safety’ in exchange for catering their needs of fashion at cheap prices. Diamond said rather than leaving testing to others, the fashion industry needs “to clean up their act — they need to be doing the product testing in a full and transparent way. The fashion industry needs to take full responsibility for the health and safety of their products to protect workers in the industry and consumers.” (Stephanie Matteis, 2021)

To conclude, it can be stated that in this relatively brief fashion cycle, we buy what seems cute and stylish. We’re looking for extremely short-term pleasure from some pieces of clothes that cost so much in terms of our future health and that price is not worth it.

References

Stephanie Matteis, J. C. (2021, December 09). Health Canada recalls toxic Shein kids’ jacket following CBC investigation. CBC Marketplace. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from

Health Canada recalls toxic Shein kids’ jacket following CBC investigation | CBC News