Flip Flops From China Skin Reaction Warning – Hawaiian Sandals Rash Images – Hoax-Slayer

Outline:
Email and social media messages featuring several photographs of a severe foot rash claims that the rash was caused by chemicals used in the manufacture of flip flops (Hawaiian sandals) made in China and sold at Wal-Mart.

Brief Analysis:
It is true that several years ago, some customers experienced a severe skin reaction due to chemicals in a brand of Chinese-made flip flops sold at Wal-Mart. The images featured in the circulating messages were taken in 2007 and depict a rash suffered by a Florida woman who bought and wore the flip flops. However, Wal-Mart removed the rash-inducing Chinese made flip-flops back in 2007. Certainly, consumers have raised valid concerns about the health and safety aspects of many Chinese made products in recent years and caution is warranted. But, the latest social-media version of this old warning is overblown and uses very outdated images to support its claims.