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Toy Trouble: Local consumers say recalls are changing shopping habits.
  By Jocelyn Berkhahn ~ Wausau Daily Herald
  10-07-2007

Of the 20 most recent toy recalls announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission since mid-July, five were recalled because of choking or swallowing hazards and 12 because of violations of lead paint standards. All 20 were made in China.

In part, this illustrates the dominance of China in manufacturing these products. Labor is cheap in China, where detailed products including small toys can be mass produced for sale to consumers in the United States who demand the lowest prices for what they buy.

But the publicity that has surrounded multiple recalls of toys and other consumer products in recent months - on Thursday, new recalls were issued for 544,000 Chinese-produced toys, including Baby Einstein blocks and Pirates of the Caribbean flashlights - is changing the attitudes of some shoppers in central Wisconsin.

"I have a 10-month-old and a 3-year-old," said Janelle Ungethum, 37, of Antigo. "I want to know who's making the toys and where they're coming from."

Other parents echoed Ungethum's sentiment, and said they have paid more attention to who makes toys and where they're made in the months since Mattel and other manufacturers announced major recalls. They are more likely to check product labels and consider country of origin when making their purchases, they said.

Even some consumers who do not have young children feel the effect of recent toy recalls.

"I've always been a careful consumer, but I think I'm becoming even more aware of what I buy," said Nancy Kittel, 59, of Wausau, who also said she believes the public has a responsibility to make informed choices about the products they buy.

And some consumers are asking questions they had not asked before. Nina Ricciardi, 29, is the co-owner at Sweets on 3rd in Wausau, which carries some children's toys that are made in Vermont.

"People ask questions," Ricciardi said. "As consumers, they want to know more about it. OK, it's made in Vermont, but where are they getting their materials from? We have to be ready with the answers and assure them that we're selling (safe products)."

As the parent of a young daughter, Ricciardi said she is also more conscious of products she purchases in stores.

Earlier this year, state Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, introduced a bill that would give the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection the power to fine any store that failed to pull recalled items from its shelves. The bill also would create an online list of recalled products to be maintained by the department. The measure was passed in committee but has not yet been voted into law.

If consumers lose confidence in cheaply produced foreign goods, will they turn to American-made products even if they are more expensive?

"I would rather pay more for a quality product that I know is going to be safe," Ungethum said, rather than save money on a product but have to ask, "is the nose going to fall off and my daughter's going to choke to death on it?"