Import safety

China's role in a global economy increases every day, and next year's summer Olympic Games will expose the Asian nation to close scrutiny throughout the world. Perhaps it was China's zeal to send a convincing message that its food products are safe that caused the government to execute the man formerly responsible for food and drug safety after he approved some fake medicine.

While that extreme handling of the situation might seem bizarre outside China, it underscores the concern consumers around the globe have about imported products. That concern includes imports coming into the U.S., which has far too few inspectors to safeguard every imported food item we eat and drink.

But there is an overarching premise that gives us some assurance that what we are eating won't kill us, and that is the simple principle that any business that kills off its customers won't stay in business for long.

China wants to be a major player in world commerce. It and other nations surely understand the importance of ensuring the safety of foods sold abroad.