Barcodes & EAN country codes

Have you had in your inbox a forwarded message with a subject
How to differentiate products that are made in CHINA?

Below is an excerpt from the said email:

The whole world is scared of China made 'black hearted goods'.
Can you differentiate which one is made in the USA, Philippines,
Taiwan or China? Let me tell you how...  the first 3 digits of
the barcode is the country code wherein the product was made.
Sample all barcodes that start with 690.691.692 until 695 are
all MADE IN CHINA.
Hubby and I searched for the said topic on barcodes for your
reading so that you too will be enlightened on the issue:

Barcodes not guide to product origin

EAN Country codes