New Anti-Child Labor Campaign Targets Major U.S. Meat Companies for Illegal Child Labor in Slaughterhouses

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – Green America and the Child Labor Coalition launched a new campaign aimed at eradicating child labor and labor violations in the food production industry, with a focus on the four top U.S. meat processing companies. The campaign will focus on child labor and labor violations at Perdue Farms, JBS, Tyson and Cargill, including launching a consumer petition and engaging a network of allied grassroots groups on the ground across the country.

Once thought a relic of the past, child labor is on the rise in the United States. Major U.S. corporations are putting children as young as 13 to work in dangerous jobs they are too young to perform and that are hazardous to their health. An estimated 300,000 to 500,000 children are working in the agriculture industry alone.

In January, Perdue Farms and JBS, two of the country’s largest meat-packers, were fined a combined $8 million for relying on children to work in their slaughterhouses. Children also have been reportedly working in dangerous conditions at Tyson and Cargill facilities. To make matters worse, 31 states have worked to loosen child labor and safety laws since 2021.

Reid Maki, Child Labor Advocacy Director for the Child Labor Coalition and National Consumers League, said: “Children’s lives are on the line and there is no time to waste. In just the last two years, the U.S. has experienced fatalities and permanent, traumatic injuries involving children working at dangerous and exploitative jobs in meat-processing facilities. Companies have a legal and moral obligation to eliminate child labor in the food production industry.”

Charlotte Tate, Labor Justice Campaigns Director at Green America, said: “In the United States today, illegal child labor is resurgent because of the irresponsible business practices of corporations, including some of the top meat-packing companies. It’s appalling that multi-billion-dollar meat producers are profiting from children carrying out dangerous work cleaning in their facilities. Cargill hit record profits of up to $6 billion in recent years. JBS is even bigger, with a reported $20 billion profit last year alone. While companies are taking steps in response to federal investigations, more needs to be done to protect children from child labor and unsafe working conditions throughout their entire supply chains.”

Todd Larsen, Executive Co-Director at Green America said: “Sadly, there have been several reports of minors who suffered injuries that included mangled arms and chemical burns in food processing facilities cleaned by contractors hired by meatpacking companies. These children are working long hours, often late in the night, to do work that should only be performed by adults.”

JBS – JBS is the world’s largest meat processor. The Department of Labor recently uncovered serious child labor violations at multiple JBS facilities, revealing minors as young as 13 years old working in hazardous working conditions. These violations were found in locations in Grand Island, Nebraska; Greeley, Colorado; Worthington, Minnesota; and Marshall, Minnesota. The Department of Labor report states that these minors were exposed to and cleaned hazardous machinery during overnight shifts. JBS paid $4 million in fines in January 2025 for child labor violations in several states.

Tyson – Tyson is the second-largest meat processor after JBS. The Department of Labor recently found minors as young as 13 working in hazardous conditions at Tyson Foods facilities in Green Forest, Arkansas and Goodlettsville, Tennessee. The Department of Labor also began investigating Tyson for child labor violations at two poultry processing plants in Arkansas.

Perdue – The Department of Labor recently found children as young as 13 working in hazardous conditions in a Perdue Facility in Virginia. Tragically, while sanitizing power-driven meat-processing equipment, a child working an overnight shift was traumatically injured when his arm was caught in a machine that he was cleaning and cut to the bone in February 2022. Perdue recently agreed to pay $4 million in fines based on investigations of child labor in Virginia.

Cargill – Cargill is the world’s largest ground beef producer. The Department of Labor recently uncovered child labor violations at Cargill facilities in Dodge City, Kansas and Fiona, Texas. The investigation of Packer Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI), which was contracted by Cargill and other meatpackers, found children working with hazardous chemicals and cleaning equipment such as brisket saws and “head splitters,” often on overnight shifts.

Green America is a non-profit organization representing over 250,000 individual members and 2,000 small businesses. Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

The Child Labor Coalition (CLC) represents millions of Americans through 37 organizations that fight to protect worker rights, human rights, and child rights. CLC members include the nation’s largest union, the National Education Association, the National Consumers League, Human Rights Watch, and the Fair Labor Association, as well as numerous groups that are also concerned about the welfare of vulnerable children at risk of child labor exploitation.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

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. 

U.S. House vote exposes more families to fraud  

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829       

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is outraged by today’s partisan vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Larger Participants Rule. The vote approving S.J. Res 28 solidifies a gaping regulatory loophole that will allow Big Tech payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp to evade accountability for their use by criminals to defraud millions of Americans.  

“Peer-to-peer payment app operators know that their platforms are being used by criminals to enable hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars in fraud against American families,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “Instead of giving the CFPB the ability to crack down on this fraud, Elon Musk and his allies Congress have instead given a green light to scammers to raid the life savings of vulnerable Americans.”  

The CFPB’s Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications regulation (Larger Participant Rule) last year leveled the playing field between banks and Big Tech companies by establishing much-needed CFPB oversight over operators of digital wallets and payment apps. Should S.J. Res 28 become law, the operators of these apps will also have free rein to collect vast quantities of data about individual’s transactions with few, if any guardrails.   

NCL similarly criticized the House’s vote to overturn the CFPB’s overdraft fee rule (S.J. Res 18). The rule closed an outdated loophole that allows major banks to generate billions from excessive overdraft fees. Overdraft fees generate $5 billion in junk fee profits each year,  costing households hit with such fees approximately $225 annually. The CFPB’s overdraft fee rule lowered overdraft fees from $35 to $5 per overdraft.  

“The overdraft fee rule sent a clear message that banks should work for everyday Americans, not nickel-and-dime them with outrageous fees,” Breyault continued. “Instead of protecting this commonsense consumer protection, Republicans in Congress chose to stand with big banks and to let them continue padding their bottom lines with billions in junk fees.”  

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)       

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.    

Consumers deserve slave-free chocolate: new scorecard holds brands accountable     

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829     

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) and its organization, the Child Labor Coalition (CLC), are proud to participate in the launch of the Annual Chocolate Scorecard, an initiative coordinated by Be Slavery Free, an Australian coalition campaigning against modern slavery. This campaign aims to raise awareness about child labor in chocolate production, promote ethical sourcing, and empower consumers to choose chocolate that aligns with their values.     

“Consumers deserve to enjoy their chocolate without the bitter aftertaste of exploitation. The Annual Chocolate Scorecard empowers shoppers to make informed choices and demand better from the industry,” said Reid Maki, Director of the Child Labor Coalition. “While we acknowledge progress, the persistence of child labor and lack of transparency from major companies is unacceptable. It’s time for real accountability and action—not just empty promises.”     

The Chocolate Scorecard ranks companies based on traceability and transparency across supply chains, whether they pay farmers a living income, make efforts to prevent the use of child labor, take action on climate and deforestation, and eliminate the use of harmful pesticides.           

This year’s Annual Chocolate Scorecard highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in the chocolate industry. Mars Wrigley, the maker of Snickers, Twix, and Maltesers, was recognized for its efforts to support women, which helps reduce child labor. On the other hand, Cadbury’s parent company, Mondelēz, received the “Bad Egg” award for refusing to participate, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. While some companies report a drop in child labor, NGOs warn of “cocoa washing,” where progress is exaggerated.        

“Consumers are being asked to swallow record chocolate prices and shrinking products. The least they expect is chocolate free from slavery. The Chocolate Scorecard will help shoppers make smart purchases this Easter,” said Fuzz Kitto, Co-Director at Be Slavery Free. “Chocolate companies love to talk about policies and commitments, but 25 years since they promised to eliminate child labor from the supply chain, it’s time to stop ‘cocoa washing’ and innovate more effective action.”        

Overall, this year’s findings have shown improvements in transparency across the industry, with 82% of companies sharing data on child labor, compared to 45% in 2023.  Additionally, several companies were recognized for their progress and achievements this year. Dutch Company Tony’s Chocolonely, received the “Good Egg” award for excellence and transparency in the marketplace. USA chocolate manufacturer Beyond Good, gained recognition for using beans from Madagascar and Uganda, receiving the “Good Egg” Award for smaller companies. Finally, US company Mars Inc. received the Gender Award for policies and programs to empower women.   

To learn more the official scorecard is available here.    

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About the Child Labor Coalition (CLC)     

In 1989, NCL helped launch the Child Labor Coalition (CLC) to stamp out the worst forms of child labor and to protect teen workers from health and safety hazards. Today, it is co-chaired by NCL and the American Federation of Teachers and is staffed by NCL. For more information, visit https://stopchildlabor.org/   

NCL hails bipartisan committee vote on TICKET act

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communication’s, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League today applauded the House Energy and Commerce committee for its overwhelming and bipartisan vote to approve the TICKET Act (H.R. 1402). The TICKET Act would, for the first time in history, ensure accountability and fairness in live event ticketing across the United States. The bill, which passed the U.S. House last Congress 388-24, was recently reported unanimously out of the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill has previously received support from nearly every stakeholder in the live event ecosystem, including consumer organizations, free-market advocates, venues, artists, primary and secondary ticketing platforms, and more than 37,000 individual fans.

“The TICKET Act is the result of a hard-negotiated, bipartisan compromise that reflects the reality that the modern live event ticket-buying experience is an exercise in frustration for millions of consumers,” said John Breyault, National Consumers League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud. “This bill is the solution that millions of fans have been seeking to finally get rid of hidden junk fees, crack down on predatory ticket resale practices, and guarantee refunds in the event of event postponements and cancellations. We thank Representatives Guthrie, Pallone, Bilirakis, and Schakowsky for their continued support for the TICKET Act and we urge the full House to once again swiftly pass this common sense, bipartisan, consumer protection bill.”

Key provisions of the TICKET Act include:

  • Banning hidden junk fees through all-in pricing requirements;
  • Prohibiting speculative ticketing and other deceptive resale practices;
  • Requiring refunds for canceled and postponed events; and
  • Commissioning an FTC study on enforcement of the BOTS Act.

The TICKET Act’s provisions are strongly supportive of President Trump’s March 31 Executive Order on “Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Industry.” Specifically, the bill addresses the Order’s directive to “protect fans from exploitative ticket scalper practices,” “[e]nsure price transparency at all stages of the ticket-purchase process, including the secondary ticketing market,” and “bring commonsense reforms to America’s live entertainment ticketing industry.”

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
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 slams introduction of resolutions weakening tailpipe emission standards

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – Congressional Republicans today introduced three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions that restricts states’ rights to establish robust tailpipe emission standards. 

Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may issue the State of California a waiver to exceed federal emission standards for motor vehicles.  Other states are permitted to adopt California’s standards.  In 2024, the EPA provided California waivers for the State’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II), Advanced Clean Trucks, and Omnibus NOx rules.  These standards, which have been adopted in full or in part by 17 states, have nationwide benefits: conserving energy, combating the climate crisis, improving health, and reducing pain at the pump.

“Slamming the brakes on robust emission standards will inflict pain at the pump, hamper American competitiveness, exacerbate the climate crisis, and harm public health,” said Daniel Greene, Senior Director of Consumer Protection & Product Safety Policy. “These resolutions ignore a simple truth: costs are low when clean car standards are high. The United States must create a thriving EV industrial base to preserve the nation’s automobile manufacturing capacity.  Further, strong clean car standards are vital to combatting the climate crisis and preventing harmful pollutants from entering our atmosphere, which improves public health.  Congress should stop this assault on American competitiveness, affordability, health, and the environment at its inception.”

Please see this fact sheet detailing the CRAs and their effect on American competitiveness, affordability, health, and the environment

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

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 welcomes President Trump’s Executive Order and calls for congressional action on consumer protections in live-event ticketing

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For Immediate Release: March 31, 2025

Contact: Lisa McDonald, VP of Communications 202-207-2829 or lisam@nclnet.org

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is commending President Donald J. Trump for signing an Executive Order aimed at protecting fans from exploitative ticket scalping and implementing common sense reforms in the live entertainment ticketing industry. This decisive action underscores the urgent need for Congress to pass the bipartisan Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act (S.281/H.R. 1402).

The Executive Order directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to collaborate with the Attorney General to ensure robust enforcement of competition laws within the live event sector. It also emphasizes the need for rigorous enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, promotes price transparency throughout the ticket-purchasing process—including the secondary market—and mandates action to prevent unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive practices in secondary ticketing. 

“For too long, consumers have faced exorbitant prices and deceptive practices when purchasing tickets for live events,” said John Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “This Executive Order is a significant step toward ensuring fairness and transparency in the ticketing marketplace. It provides a clear directive to consumer champions in Congress to swiftly enact the TICKET Act.” 

The TICKET Act passed the House of Representatives last year by overwhelming bipartisan margins (388-24) last Congress and has already been approved unanimously by the Senate Commerce Committee in February. It has attracted broad support from consumer advocates, artists, venues, and ticketing platforms. The TICKET Act aims to:

  • Implement all-in pricing, ensuring consumers see the full cost of a ticket upfront, eliminating hidden fees.
  • Prohibit speculative ticket sales, preventing brokers from selling tickets they do not possess.
  • Ban deceptive resale websites that mislead consumers into believing they are purchasing from official sources.
  • Guarantee refunds for events that are canceled or postponed.
  • Strengthen enforcement against the use of bots that allow resellers to manipulate the ticket market.

“President Trump’s Executive Order highlights the critical need for legislative action to protect consumers,” added Breyault. “We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to pass the TICKET Act, ensuring that fans can access live entertainment without falling victim to unfair practices and inflated prices.” 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL) 

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 nclnet.org. 

Big banks win, consumers lose: NCL condemns effort to kill CFPB overdraft rule   

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) strongly opposes efforts to rescind the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) new overdraft fee rule through the Congressional Review Act (CRA). This rule is a critical step in closing an outdated loophole that has allowed major banks to rake in billions from excessive overdraft fees—often at the expense of hardworking families living paycheck to paycheck.

“Overdraft fees have long been a cash grab by the biggest banks, preying on those who can least afford them,” said John Breyault, NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud. Rescinding this rule would be yet another example of financial institutions prioritizing profits over fairness, leaving consumers trapped in a cycle of unnecessary debt.”

For years, banks have leveraged deceptive practices to extract money from consumers, from surprise overdraft charges to excessive fees on low-balance accounts. The CFPB’s rule provides much-needed relief, ensuring families aren’t penalized for small financial missteps. Congress should stand with consumers, not the financial giants profiting from their hardships.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)

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.

Mass Layoffs at HHS: A Blow to Healthcare Access and Public Health

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829   

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is deeply concerned by the Trump administration’s decision to lay off an additional 10,000 employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) following the already eliminated 10,000 jobs via previous rounds of cuts. In total, the restructuring and force reduction plans will result in a downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees nationwide.    

The impact of these cuts and restructuring is particularly concerning for agencies like the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These agencies are crucial to the functioning of vital public health and safety programs, including the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows hospitals, community health centers, and other providers to purchase prescription medications at discounted prices. This ensures that low-income and underserved communities can afford the medications they need.    

“In the wake of a nationwide measles outbreak, this is a reckless decision by the Trump administration,” said Samatha Sears, NCL Health Policy Associate. “HHS leadership should be prioritized on bolstering public health and delving into medical research for vaccines and medications, not firing thousands of staff and jeopardizing agencies like HRSA and NIOSH. Downsizing this department under our current circumstances is irresponsible and dangerous to the American people.”     

The NCL calls on the administration to reconsider these workforce reductions to ensure that essential health services are not disrupted and that vulnerable communities continue to have access to the care they need.   

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)  

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.  

Historic victory for human rights: DC mayor signs child marriage ban into law   

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829   

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) celebrates the successful passage of the Child Marriage Prohibition Amendment Act of 2024, following the 30-day congressional review period and the signing of the legislation by Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC. This landmark law, introduced by Councilmember Brooke Pinto, now officially prohibits marriage under the age of 18 in the District of Columbia, with no exceptions.    

“This is a historic moment for DC and beyond—Mayor Bowser and Councilmember Pinto’s unwavering leadership sends a powerful message that child marriage will not be tolerated,” said Reid Maki, Director of Child Labor Advocacy at the National Consumers League and Coordinator of the Child Labor Coalition. “This law provides much-needed protection for vulnerable youth, preventing the devastating consequences of early marriage and ensuring young people have the opportunity to grow, thrive, and make their own life decisions.”  

With this new law, Washington, DC, has joined the growing list of U.S. states and territories that have taken a strong stand against child marriage, protecting minors from the harmful and often devastating effects of early marriage. This victory represents a significant milestone in the global movement for the protection of girls’ and women’s human rights. The new law effectively ends child marriage in Washington, DC, following a troubling rise in cases in the city. This legislation represents a step in the right direction, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding children from the social, emotional, and health risks of early marriage.   

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)     

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.   

Advocacy groups urge the eighth circuit to uphold FTC’s click to cancel rule

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Five Groups led by Berkeley Law File an Amicus Brief in the Legal Challenge to the FTC’s Click to Cancel Rule. 

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC — On Friday, The National Consumers League (NCL) and four other advocacy groups joined a legal “friend of the court” brief in litigation seeking to undo the Federal Trade Commission’s popular “Click to Cancel” Rule. The brief was drafted by the Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice at UC Berkeley School of Law and focuses on the substantial record of manipulative subscription traps relied on by the FTC in crafting the Rule. 

“The effort corporations have expended to fight this commonsense consumer protection regulation has surely exceeded any direct compliance costs associated with complying with the rule,” said National Consumers League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault.  “Allowing consumers to cancel subscriptions as easily as they signed up is popular and should have been the law decades ago. The FTC’s Rule is long overdue and should not be stalled any longer.”  

“Americans are tired of being tricked and manipulated with subscription traps. Corporations should focus on ways to give people a transparent sign-up and cancellation process for products they actually want rather than ways to deceive and exhaust consumers into never-ending, costly subscriptions,” said Erin Witte, director of consumer protection at the Consumer Federation of America. “CFA is proud to join this brief and urge the Eighth Circuit to uphold the Click to Cancel rule.”   

“Whether it is gym memberships, news subscriptions, entertainment services, or home security services, recurring charges are easy to start but can be hard to cancel. Some companies hold consumers hostage when they no longer want to spend money on services and unfairly profit at significant expense to hardworking individuals and families,” said Shennan Kavanagh, director of litigation at the National Consumer Law Center. “The FTC’s Click to Cancel Rule is a fair and commonsense solution to this problem.” 

“The FTC Click to Cancel Rule requires that canceling a subscription should be as simple as signing up for one. Trustworthy companies should not lock customers into agreements to earn a profit,” said Ruth Susswein, director of consumer protection at Consumer Action. “Consumers deserve an easy exit policy with simple steps on how to cancel a subscription.”  

“Digital subscriptions for products and services are increasing, and so are the deceptive practices that trick people into staying and paying for them,” said Ira Rheingold, executive director of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. “Hopefully, the court will uphold the FTC’s reasonable click-to-cancel rule and its simple steps to help keep consumers aware and businesses honest.” 

“People sign up for services. They don’t sign up for a treadmill they can never get off of,” said Ted Mermin, executive director of the Center for Law and Economic Justice at UC Berkeley. “The FTC scrupulously followed proper procedures in creating the Click to Cancel Rule, and that rule is going to benefit everybody in this country.” 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

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.