The UK institutes a front of package labeling system, we hope FDA follows – National Consumers League

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By Teresa Green, Linda Golodner Food Safety & Nutrition Fellow Anyone who has ever been to the grocery store knows how overwhelming picking a product can be.  When there are 20 brands of peanut butter it can be difficult to choose which one to purchase.  Should you pick the one with less fat but more sugar?  What about the claims that one brand is “all natural?”  How much sodium is too much?

This understandable confusion has given rise to a proliferation of front of package (FOP) labeling systems which ostensibly present more concise information to consumers.  Unfortunately, because these systems are designed and implemented by the industry, they can often still be confusing. This is why we have, for many years, been urging the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to adopt a mandatory FOP labeling system.  In 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a report on the topic, recommending a system that granted foods stars based on the amounts of fat, sugar and salt they contained.  As of yet, FDA has taken no public action to implement this system.  Chronically underfunded, the agency has been overwhelmed by an expanded food safety mandate in recent years and has had to prioritize those responsibilities over labeling. The UK, on the other hand, is making inroads, having just recently introduced a system.  However, they do not mandate its use and thus estimate the voluntary regime will cover 60 percent of foods.  Still, this is certainly a step in the right direction.  A single uniform, government-issued system provides clarity and consumer demand can pressure non-compliant companies into implementing the system.  Here’s to hoping FDA takes note and moves forward with its own long-delayed regulations.

Is it good or bad that obesity is now classified as a disease? – National Consumers League

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By Zoe Stahl, Food and Labor Policy Intern
Last month, the American Medical Association (AMA) designated obesity a disease.  With this decision, 78 million adults and 12 million children have suddenly been categorized as having a disease.   And with this decision has come much debate: is this in fact a step forward? To provide a better understanding of the implications, here’s a list of pros and cons of AMA’s policy change:

Pros: Many wrongly consider the obese to be lazy and indulgent. Classifying obesity as a disease may help undermine these negative stereotypes by reminding the public that obesity is a chronic disease caused by a number of factors, including one’s genes and the environment.
  • Medical schools, overwhelmed by all the material they need to cover, often neglect teaching obesity prevention. AMA’s decision may spur the addition of nutrition-focused classes to schools’ curriculum, helping to enhance the ability of future doctors to address obesity.
  • This new policy may also encourage doctors to provide much-needed counseling and targeted interventions to those struggling with their weight. Prevention and intervention are especially important given that obesity correlates with certain health issues, such as hypertension, sleep apnea, heart attack, stroke and certain cancers.

Cons:

  • As a society, we often use weight as a proxy for health. However, many studies have shown that being thin does not necessarily mean being healthier. While higher weights can lead to increased risk of type 2 diabetes,  heavier women are all less likely to develop osteoporosis; this is the perfect illustration that thinner is not always better. Classifying obesity as a disease may only further our conflation of weight and health—and all the negatives that come with that falsehood like fat discrimination and an overemphasis on calorie reduction.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI), which is often used to measure and diagnose obesity, is calculated by dividing body mass by the square of height, but is  an imperfect way to measure and diagnose obesity. Though seemingly accurate, BMI fails to accurately detect obesity. An individual who is fit and muscular can have a high BMI, while an individual who is low in weight and high in body fat could be considered normal weight. This inaccurate system can lead to misdiagnosis, causing doctors to overemphasize weight at the expense of overall health.
  • Finally, some fear that this new classification will spur a new round of aggressive anti-obesity measures by the government, such as a “fat tax” on highly saturated foods. Many are concerned that the government will become more paternalistic, limiting and infringing on their personal liberty.

If some of this seems contradictory, it is. The science is, too. Nonetheless, the recent classification of obesity as a disease is an important one. By bringing attention to what many consider a public health issue, the AMA has reminded the general public of the need for continued research, efforts and education.

In defense of Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin — Thank you for your service – National Consumers League

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By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director
Earlier this month, Forbes magazine contributor Henry I. Miller penned a needlessly nasty assessment of Dr. Regina M. Benjamin’s tenure as U.S. Surgeon General. Dr. Benjamin, who on Tuesday stepped down from the office she has held for more than four years, leaves behind a robust record of health advocacy, having tackled some of our country’s most challenging public health issues. In his piece, Miller declaims Dr. Benjamin for being “nowhere to be found since the beginning of President Obama’s first term.”

This could not be further from the truth! In promoting her National Prevention Strategy campaign, Dr. Benjamin regularly traveled to cities across the country, touting the importance of physical activity and wellness in often underserved communities that receive little media attention. Granted, Dr. Benjamin was not a press hound. And unlike her well-known predecessor Dr. C. Everett Koop—famed for flouting the will of politicians who wanted to suppress discussion of the nation’s AIDS epidemic, an extremely controversial and media-grabbing issue in the 1980s—Benjamin preferred to confront some of America’s most pernicious public health challenges without fanfare. Her priority initiatives included: combating the nation’s growing obesity problem (she helped to implement First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign), reducing tobacco use, trumpeting the importance of breastfeeding, and raising awareness of the country’s suicide epidemic, among others.

Dr. Benjamin’s commitment to confronting the greatest public health challenges working-class Americans face may not prompt the kind of controversy that would draw much media attention, but her impact in engaging this community has been unsurpassed. Dr. Jocelyn Elders, Surgeon General under President Clinton, (in)famous for controversial comments regarding sex education, confirmed that Benjamin “hadn’t been out on the firing line getting picked at like some of us in the past.” She added that Benjamin’s efforts have mostly taken place behind the scenes. Indeed, Dr. Benjamin clearly has dedicated herself to serving Americans in those places where she might not elicit a lot of public attention, but where she could make the biggest difference.

As Executive Director of the National Consumers League, I can personally attest to Dr. Benjamin’s commitment to educating Americans. Dr. Benjamin became an early champion for our Script Your Future Campaign to improve medication adherence. Poor adherence – patients not taking their medications as directed – is a $290 billion problem; 3 of 4 patients say they haven’t taken their medication as directed and 125,000 die each year on account of poor adherence. The Surgeon General helped NCL to launch the campaign at the George Washington University School of Public Health.

In early 2011, Dr. Benjamin launched a “Call To Action” in support of breastfeeding aimed at communities of color. If every woman who was able nursed her baby, we would save the health care system billions of dollars. The Surgeon General, who has gotten behind these and many other initiatives (with unprecedented outreach to minority communities), has made all the difference for community organizations dedicated to overcoming America’s most crippling public health challenges. Dr. Benjamin has been everything that Miller portrays her not to be, as the nation’s top public health official HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius suggests. Sebelius said that the Surgeon General has “touched the lives of millions of Americans and has had a positive impact on the health of this Nation.” Dr. Georges Benjamin (no relation), President of the American Public Health Association, said that “Regina Benjamin taught America how to walk again … and has been a remarkable advocate in promoting the value of prevention as a national health priority. Instead of lobbing ad hominem insults at Dr. Benjamin (Miller says she is obese, for example, which she is not) for her work as Surgeon General, we should be thanking her for her four years of distinguished service as the nation’s doctor.

National Consumers League applauds the Senate for confirming Tom Perez to head the U.S. Department of Labor – National Consumers League

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July 18, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League, the nations pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization with deep roots in the labor history of this country, praise the Senate’s confirmation of Tom Perez as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Perez has spent many years advocating for America’s working families. 

As Secretary of Labor, Perez will serve the critically important role of overseeing the health and safety of workers through OSHA, encouraging cooperation between unions and management, promoting higher pay for the nation’s low-wage workers, and ensuring sufficient inspectors to monitor child labor practices. NCL recognizes the importance of having a strong presence at the head of the DOL. Previous labor secretaries, Robert Reich and Hilda Solis, were awarded NCL’s top honor, the Trumpeter Award. We fully expect that Perez will continue his work to protect workers’ rights and strive for greater opportunity in the workplace.

“We are very pleased that Tom Perez has been confirmed as head of the DOL,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director. “Workers around this country can sleep better at night knowing that the Secretary of Labor is in their corner. We look forward to working closely with Mr. Perez to address protecting low-wage workers against wage theft abuses and preventing the exploitation of child labor.”

NCL commends the president for this distinguished appointment and extends our congratulations to Secretary Perez.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL statement on the passing of Jules Pagano – National Consumers League

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July 17, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, benk@nclnet.org, (202) 835-3323

Washington, DC — Jules Pagano is a hero for generations of labor leaders because of his lifetime of championing their cause and his dogged commitment to economic justice.

He was also a longtime supporter of the National Consumers League and the League’s 114th year history of promoting the cause of workers and their families.

Jules Pagano enjoyed an illustrious career, serving as Chief Judge for the New York Unemployment Appeals Board; Director of Training for the Peace Corps; Provost, President and Vice President of numerous Public Universities; Education Director to CWA; and 20 years as Executive Director for the AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board.

Jules will be remembered for his political savvy and devotion to progressive causes and politics. It is worth noting that the League’s offices are located in the same building in Washington, DC as those of American Income Life and we had occasion to see a lot of him. And so we remember Jules for his devotion to family and his pride in his wife Kathy, son Ed, daughter in law Jenny and of course, his beloved grandson Jack. His face would absolutely light up when he talked about Jack.

We never forget your many contributions, Jules, and we will miss you dearly. Thank you for your lifetime of serving for working families. 

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

National Consumers League hails confirmation of Richard Cordray as head of CFPB – National Consumers League

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July 17, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, benk@nclnet.org, (202) 835-3323

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League welcomed the U.S. Senate’s vote to confirm Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “The Senate acted to protect the interests of millions of American consumers by voting 66-34 in favor of Richard Cordray’s confirmation to Director of the CFPB. This vote of support is long overdue. Cordray is an unusually talented and committed public servant who can now lead the charge at the Bureau in protecting the financial interests of consumers and do so with full backing of Congress behind him.”

NCL also praised Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other senate leadership for overcoming partisan obstacles blocking the Cordray confirmation. “Senator Reid deserves enormous credit for strategically moving the Cordray nomination to a successful vote. Consumers owe him a debt of gratitude.”

CFPB regulates financial services and products in the US. Its work includes policing tricks and traps too often found when consumers interact and sign contracts with financial institutions, including debt collection, banking, credit repair, payday lending, and student loans. 

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

Beware of door-to-door magazine sales, it may be a scam – National Consumers League

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Sam Hamer, Public Policy Intern Summer is finally here! Unfortunately, along with cicadas and lazy afternoons by the barbecue, door-to-door magazine sales scams are likely to appear in many consumers’ neighborhoods. These scams typically begin with a knock at the door and a young person on the other side claiming to be raising money for a charity, school trip, or other seemingly worthy cause by selling magazine subscriptions. In fact, consumers who take the bait and sign up for a subscription often report that they receive nothing in return.

Every year, young people fan out across the country, looking to make easy money from unsuspecting consumers. In Medford, Ore. last month, two young adults were arrested after they were discovered depositing into the bank over $4,500 collected from fraudulent door-to-door book and magazine subscription sales.

This couple acted as isolated perpetrators, yet several companies that annually employ young salespeople to peddle suspect magazine subscriptions have drawn hundreds of complaints about their sales tactics and product, earning them a rating of ‘F’ from the Better Business Bureau. Indeed, subscription fraud is not a rare occurrence. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) receives over 10,000 complaints each year from consumers that witness this variety of fraud. Nor is subscription fraud endemic to a particular area of the country. The Better Business Bureau has logged complaints from virtually every state in the union. Tragically, the intentions of magazine sales crews may not stop at subscription fraud. One former sales crew member interviewed by the New York Times testified that he regularly stole from his customers, including such items as “wedding rings, watches, necklaces, money, checks, shoes, clothing, glasses, [and] hats.” Unlicensed peddlers can be especially dangerous. Columbia County (Ga.) law enforcement apprehended 17 members of a sales crew, 5 of whom had criminal records involving violent crimes, in February 2011.

Given the potential for fraud anytime a salesperson rings the doorbell, consumers should take some basic precautions that can improve their safety and security. First of all, as the consumer protection blog Consumerist suggests, “there are better ways of buying magazine subscriptions and of supporting teens, charities, and troops, and there’s no reason the two worlds need to be mashed together on your front porch without warning.” Instead of handing a check to a stranger right then and there, consider asking the salesperson for more information about the charity he or she represents, and commit to making a donation online or over the phone.

Subscribing to a magazine can be achieved just as easily through the Internet or phone. For consumers who have already made a “front-porch” purchase or might consider doing so in the future, the FTC has instituted a “Cooling-off Rule” that gives consumers three business days to cancel purchases of $25 or more made at their home for a full refund. Also, under the Rule, the salesperson must convey the customer’s right to cancel at the time of sale and provide two cancellation forms along with a receipt. Any salesperson that does not explain how to cancel or provide forms to do so should automatically raise a red flag. Moreover, consumers who have made a purchase within the past three days but distrust the legitimacy of their purchase have the right to a full refund from the seller.

Government officials have attempted to stem the subscription fraud epidemic, but since the problem persists, consumers should also exercise vigilance to help root out fraud. Before making a purchase, always ask the salesperson to see a valid solicitation license and, if possible, research the company or charity with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org). If the salesperson pressures you to make a decision immediately, tell him or her to come back tomorrow once you’ve done your homework. Consumers who suspect they’ve been victims of fraud should file a complaint with local law enforcement, as well as with the BBB or FTC. Newspaper and magazine publishers are also on the lookout for fraud (e.g. The Wall Street Journal and The Nation magazine) so make sure to check with them to see whether your subscription has been registered in their system. FIGHT FRAUD: Steps to take when a magazine salesperson approaches you

National advocacy group urges DC Mayor to sign legislation to raise minimum wage for workers at city’s largest retailers – National Consumers League

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July 17, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, benk@nclnet.org, (202) 835-3323

Washington, DC–The National Consumers League (NCL) sent a letter to Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray today asking him to sign the “Large Retailer Accountability Act,” on his desk after a favorable vote of the DC City Council. The legislation will require companies doing business in the District whose parent companies do more than $1 billion in sales to pay their employees the DC living wage rate of $12.50 an hour.

The DC-based NCL has a long history of supporting the interests of workers and consumers since its founding in1899 and its historical support of minimum wage legislation.

“[W]e urge you to sign into law the legislation passed by the DC City Council, the ‘Large Retailer Accountability Act,’ requiring companies that do more than $1 billion in sales pay employees the DC living wage rate of $12.50 an hour. We support the bill’s stated purpose: to ‘safeguard the public health, safety, welfare and prosperity of all Washingtonians, the District must establish a code of conduct for responsible retailers in our community ensuring that large retailers pay their workers a living wage and provide affordable health benefits,’” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director.  

NCL’s letter notes: “Opponents have argued for decades that raising the minimum wage will kill jobs or make it harder for businesses to hire new workers. Economists have studied these claims, and the best research shows that minimum-wage increases have little to no effect on employment. In fact, there is ample evidence that labor market conditions can improve after a minimum-wage increase because low-wage workers have more money to spend, boosting the economy.

The NCL letter also points out that companies affected by this law are “some of the most profitable companies in the world. They can well afford to improve the wages and working conditions of their employees without significantly diminishing their profits.”

The League’s letter was signed by the organization’s Executive Director, Sally Greenberg.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

Join us in a twitterchat about online and mobile safety while traveling #ChatSTC – National Consumers League

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By Nikola Sirovica, Communications Intern School is out, graduations are over, and the time for your summer vacation has arrived! You have your sunscreen, your giant cooler, and the beach chairs – all you need is that dream destination. Whether you are embarking on a last-minute getaway with friends or a family vacation planned months in advance, keeping your mobile devices safe and secure in unfamiliar places can be a challenge. Join us this Thursday, July 18 for a Twitterchat to discuss how to keep yourself safe online when traveling.

There are many tricks that criminals use to defraud vacationers via their mobile devices. How do you know if your Wi-Fi network is secure? What do you do if you lose your phone away from home? Should you change your privacy settings when traveling? As consumers, it is very important to know your rights and take extra precautions while traveling. Be extra wary of any prizes and sweepstakes telling you that you’ve won a trip to the Bahamas, Florida, or any other dream location. These scams will ask you to pay a fee up front before you can receive your prize. Anyone who pays the fee will unfortunately find out the trip doesn’t exist and they have fallen victim to a scam. On Thursday, NCL will be a guest expert in a Twitterchat organized by the National Cyber Security Alliance’s (NCSA) global cyber security campaign Stop. Think. Connect. Among the topics covered will be how to spot travel scams, how to identify reliable Wi-Fi connections, safe online banking, and which apps can be helpful to protect you when you are on the road. Ask questions in advance using the hashtag #ChatSTC, and the panel of experts will answer. Or, follow the conversation live at #ChatSTC. When: Thursday, July 18th at 3 p.m. EDT/noon PDT Who: National Consumers League (@ncl_tweets), STOP. THINK. CONNECT. (@STOPTHNKCONNECT), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (@cyber), McAfee (@McAfeeConsumer), the FCC (@FCC).

Consumer group expresses disappointment in American retailers’ watered-down Bangladesh safety accord – National Consumers League

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July 16, 2013


Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, benk@nclnet.org, (202) 835-3323 

Washington, DC—Today the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy group expressed its disappointment in a toothless agreement signed by 17 American retailers on July 10. The so-called “ Worker Safety Initiative” purports to improve working conditions in Bangladesh. In the aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse, which took 1,129 Bangladeshi workers’ lives in April, companies around the world have been under pressure to improve factory conditions. In May, nearly 70 of them—almost all European—signed the Accord on Building and Fire Safety in Bangladesh, a legally binding agreement with enforcement power absent in its new, American counterpart. America’s biggest retailers—including Walmart, Gap, Target, and Macy’s—refused to sign the European agreement.

“While the National Consumers League is pleased that American companies have taken action to address the often abysmal working conditions in Bangladesh, this initiative requires close examination,” said NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “NCL and other worker’s rights and labor rights groups believe it lacks the enforcement and mandatory procedures found in the accord signed by European companies.”

Under the American plan, participating companies would contribute money towards factory improvements, but the factory owners are responsible for allocating the money and coordinating those improvements. The American companies were unwilling to sign the European Accord because, under it, they could have been subject to unwanted liability. The American agreement is not legally binding, and companies can opt out of the alliance at any point.

In the immediate aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse, NCL launched the “10 cents” campaign asking consumers to take a pledge that they would be willing to invest 10 additional cents per garment to implement factory safety measures. The campaign raised awareness among consumers about the minimal investment required to improve the lives of millions of low-wage workers around the world. One dime more per item could help ensure that all factories meet basic safety standards.

“The American plan is a ‘Get out of jail free’ card for these companies, and it doesn’t hold their feet to the fire,” said Greenberg. “If, as Walmart, Gap, and others contend, the European and American plans are nearly identical, then why did they feel the need to create a separate agreement? As knowledgeable and socially conscious consumers, Americans must make sure these companies follow through on their promise to protect workers throughout their supply chain.”

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.