Blog #2

This is a News Feature Follow-Up because it is following up on the many articles about toy recalls, mainly from Mattel. It’s a feature story because of its format and it follows up by adding a new angle on the previous articles. It talks about the testing labs that are booming with business since the recalls have been made.

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Toy testers working overtime amid recalls

With the holidays nearing, manufacturers are keeping labs busy to ensure product safety and soothe consumers.
From the Associated Press
September 25, 2007

ENFIELD, CONN. -- Gone is the 40-hour workweek at Specialized Technology Resources Inc. Boxes of toys are piling up in the middle of its testing lab, workers are coming in on weekends, and product testers who normally would check tools or candles are working on chess sets and plastic cars.Business is bustling since the recent recalls of millions of toys. Management at the international product testing company is considering adding to its staff of 1,600."Right now, we're using everybody in toy land," said Linda Root, manager of the company's toy-testing lab here.The recalls have toy companies from the largest producer Mattel Inc. to small importers clamoring to hire companies to test and retest their toys as a way to allay consumer fears ahead of the key holiday shopping season.