Statement on NCL v. McCormick & Company, Inc. and Giant of Maryland LLC – National Consumers League

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August 27, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC–On July 21, 2015, the National Consumers League filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia alleging that McCormick and Giant, through misrepresentations and false impressions, violated the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act. Specifically, NCL alleges that these companies sold ground black pepper and peppercorns in a manner which disguised the true amounts and prices of the pepper sold to consumers in the District of Columbia. McCormick and Giant, allegedly as a means of disguising a recent pepper price increase, decreased the amount of pepper sold in their peppermills and in their metal tins (to which consumers have been accustomed over decades). Such “slack-filling,” forbidden under certain circumstances by the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, combined with confusing shelf labels and inaccurate check-out pricing, were intended to (and did) camouflage the price increases from consumers.

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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.

Statement on NCL v. Gerber Products Co. – National Consumers League

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August 27, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC–On December 24, 2015, the National Consumers League filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia alleging that Gerber, through misrepresentations, omissions, and false innuendo, violated seven subsections of the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act (“DCCPPA”). Specifically, NCL alleges that Gerber sold its Good Start Gentle® formula, an infant formula that is made with partially hydrolyzed whey proteins, will prevent or reduce the infants’ risk of developing allergies.  However, NCL alleges that such representations are not only false and in violation of District of Columbia law, but misbranded under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act. The NCL is pleased to report that on August 8, 2015, the Superior Court denied Gerber’s motion to dismiss and the case can now proceed on to the merits.

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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 lauds FDA approval of first treatment for low libido in women – National Consumers League

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August 18, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—Today the National Consumers League (NCL) commends the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its approval of the first-ever treatment for women’s low libido.  The drug comes nearly four decades after the condition of HSDD (Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder)—which it has been approved to treat—was recognized in scientific journals. NCL has been calling for FDA to consider the treatment option because it would be the first of its kind for women; there are 26 drugs on the marketplace available to treat male sexual dysfunction.

In October 2014 and June 2015, NCL’s Executive Director Sally Greenberg testified in support of treatments for patients suffering from HSDD. The following statement may be attributed to Greenberg: 

This is the biggest breakthrough in women’s sexual health since the advent of ‘the Pill.’ Men have 26 different drugs available to treat sexual dysfunction. Now, with this drug’s approval, women finally have one. That’s a start. We hope to see competitor treatments that will offer women suffering from HSDD the same kinds of options available to men.

We have been hoping for approval of the first-ever drug to treat HSDD for several critical reasons. Once there’s an FDA treatment available, women are less likely to purchase untested and possibly dangerous products online. The FDA’s rigorous testing ensures that drugs tested in clinical trials that include thousands of women won’t carry harmful and unknown side effects. Secondly, once a treatment is approved by the FDA there will be other companies coming forward with competitor drugs, and that gives women choices, which we strongly support. 

Approval of this therapy is monumental for so many reasons: because it validates/legitimizes female sexuality as an important component of health; it underscores the FDA’s recognition of female sexual dysfunction as among the top 20 unmet medical needs; and it acknowledges that as a condition, HSDD is not simply a psychological problem or a reflection of cultural pressure on women, but a biological condition that can be treated with an effective medication. It’s been a long time coming, but this approval is a welcomed and landmark breakthrough in women’s sexual health.

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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.

Statement on NCL v Flowers Bakeries, LLC – National Consumers League

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Contact: Sally Greenberg, National Consumers League, sallyg@nclnet.org, (202) 631-2301

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (“NCL”) and Flowers Bakeries, LLC (“FB”) are pleased to announce that they have resolved consumer-related litigation pending in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, NCL v. Flowers Bakeries, LLC, Case No. 2013 CA 006550 B. NCL and FB recognize the importance of a focus on nutritional content in bread product offerings and ensuring that customers have healthful options. FB has agreed to provide additional disclosures on the back of its packaging and on the Nature’s Own website.”

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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 applauds DOJ investigation into airline collusion – National Consumers League

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July 2, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy group, applauds the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its announcement of an investigation into major U.S. airlines to determine whether they are colluding to keep airfares high. NCL is urging the DOJ to also examine the role that rising cancellation/change fees have played in the growing cost of air travel for consumers. In a 2013 report, NCL examined these fees and found that they are a growing source of concern for consumers and may contribute to the deceptive marketing of travel insurance policies.

The following statement is attributable to NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg:

As the airline industry reports record profits, consumers are faced with higher ticket prices, limited routes, and consistently terrible customer service. We support efforts by the DOJ and leaders in Congress like Sen. Richard Blumenthal to get to the bottom of this issue and determine whether airlines are participating in anticompetitive, anti-consumer conduct. 

With the increasing consolidation in the airline industry, it is now more critical than ever that regulators be on the lookout for anti-competitive conduct that harms the flying public.

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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 applauds Supreme Court vote to uphold ACA tax credits – National Consumers League

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June 25, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer group, applauds the Supreme Court’s decision (6-3) upholding tax credits under the Affordable Care Act in the case of King v. Burwell.  The decision ensures that more than 6 million people will not lose tax credits in states using the federal marketplace that was established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  

The challenge to the ACA questioned the legality of health insurance tax credits offered through the more than 30 federally-run health insurance marketplaces, as opposed to marketplaces established by individual states.  A ruling for the plaintiffs would have resulted in millions of Americans rendered unable to afford health insurance due to the loss of subsidies and would have caused premiums to skyrocket. Chief Justice Roberts, in finding that the tax subsidies were legal, stated “Congress passed the Affordable Care Act to improve health insurance markets, not to destroy them. If at all possible, we must interpret the Act in a way that is consistent with the former, and avoids the latter.”

NCL Executive Director, Sally Greenberg commented, “The Supreme Court’s decision is an affirmation of intent of Congress in enacting the ACA. This pivotal decision ensures that millions of Americans will continue to be able to afford health insurance, no matter which state they live in.  This is another step to toward the goal of providing health insurance for all Americans, a longstanding priority endorsed by NCL founders and early leaders. We should all feel vindicated that Congressional intent is being fulfilled and that the protections and coverage the ACA has provided will continue for millions of Americans.”

NCL stands with other consumer, health, and worker groups in support of the ACA. For decades, NCL has advocated for substantive reform to America’s health care system and was a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act when it passed in 2010. Today, we thank the Supreme Court for siding with consumers and workers with this important decision.

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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 consumer group disappointed in ACIP’s vote on MenB vaccination – National Consumers League

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June 25, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) failed to give a broad recommendation for vaccination against meningitis B (MenB), and instead stated that only through individual patient decisions, and not as part of the routine vaccine schedule, should teens and young adults receive the MenB vaccine. The ACIP met yesterday at the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

The National Consumers League (NCL) is disappointed in this decision which has the potential to put at risk millions of teens and young adults for contracting the debilitating MenB disease. “We see no reason to expose anyone to this terrible illness when protection and prevention is available,” said Kamay Lafalaise, health policy associate for NCL, at the hearing at the CDC. “NCL believes the MenB vaccine should be part of the routine vaccination schedule to ensure parents and young people have access to the vaccine before another outbreak occurs.”

NCL is concerned that if the vaccine is not part of the routine schedule, few young people will get vaccinated against this rare but devastating illness. “We hope that no more families have to endure the pain and loss that MenB can cause,” said Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of NCL. “We are pleased that ACIP broadened the recommendation to all youth populations, not just those ‘at risk’ but we don’t think this is enough.” 

According to the CDC there are approximately 160 reported cases annually of MenB; 10 to 15 percent of patients die and up to 19 percent of survivors have long term disabilities, including brain damage and limb amputations.

NCL asked the ACIP committee to add the vaccine to the routine schedule so that all college age students have this critical protection.

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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 applauding California for mandate on childhood vaccines – National Consumers League

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June 24, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org or (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—National Consumers League congratulates California on its mandate for childhood vaccines. California sets an example for all other states by creating a common sense solution to address this important public health issue. Vaccines can lower the number of childhood deaths that occur each year from preventable diseases, such as measles and whooping cough. This law is critical for helping children stay healthy and immune from illness. Last year, NCL conducted a survey revealing that American adults’ lack sufficient information on the safety of vaccines and the risks of failing to vaccinate for contagious diseases. While many people believe the false claims that vaccines cause autism, California has been able to shed light on the necessity and safety of vaccinations. 

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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.

Consumer group re-issues pleas to CDC: add meningitis to routine vaccination schedule – National Consumers League

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June 24, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, NCL Communications, (202) 207-2832, cindyh@nclnet.org

Atlanta, GA—Before an advisory committee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today, the nation’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization urged the agency, for the second time this year, to add two government-approved vaccines to the routine schedule in order to fight the spread of meningitis “before more lives are needlessly lost to this devastating disease.”

In February 2015, Washington, DC-based National Consumers League (NCL) Executive Director Sally Greenberg, testified in support for the addition of serogroup B meningococcal, or MenB, vaccines to the routine schedule of vaccinations. At the meeting, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the vaccine for groups at increased risk for the disease and established it would consider broader use of the vaccine, particularly for adolescents, at today’s meeting.

Today, Kamay Lafalaise, health policy associate for NCL, along with other advocacy groups and parents who have lost children to the disease, stood before the same committee with the same message: add serogroup B meningococcal, or MenB, vaccines to the routine schedule of vaccinations.

“We see no reason to expose anyone to this terrible illness when complete protection and prevention is available,” said Lafalaise. “Once again, NCL believes that parents and young people should have access to these two FDA-approved vaccines before a deadly outbreak occurs, and therefore both vaccines should be added to the routine schedule.”

The meeting of the CDC’s ACIP comes on the heels of news in New York that the NY State Legislature has passed a bill mandating a vaccine against meningitis for seventh graders. Under the bill, failure to comply with the required vaccination would subject the student to school exclusion. Elsewhere across the nation, mandated vaccinations are the subject of hot debate, such as in California, where state legislators have introduced a bill that would repeal the state’s current “personal belief exemption,” including religious exemptions, making it among the nation’s toughest vaccine laws.

Lafalaise shared the results of NCL research that found widespread support among parents for vaccinations to protect their children from diseases. Furthermore, meningitis was found to be the disease parents were most concerned of out of all childhood diseases.

Meningococcal disease, which is sometimes called bacterial meningitis, can come on quickly and can lead to death or disability within hours. Meningococcal disease affects people of all ages, though adolescents and young adults are at increased risk. Serogroup B accounts for one-third of U.S. cases, and is the most common cause of disease in adolescents. From 2013 to 2015, four college campuses experienced outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease – two students have died, one student had both feet amputated.

 “If we wait, it could be too late. How many lives need to be lost before we take preventative action?” Lafalaise asked the committee.

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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 highlights impact of cancellation fees, mandatory hotel resort fees on the traveling public, urges reform at DOT – National Consumers League

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June 23, 2015

Contact: Cindy Hoang, NCL Communications, (202) 207-2832, cindyh@nclnet.org or John Breyault, (202) 207-2819, johnb@nclnet.org

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer advocacy organization, today highlighted the significant negative impact that cancellation/change fees and mandatory hotel resort fees are having on the traveling public. As the summer travel season shifts into high gear, millions of consumers are likely to experience the frustration of being hit with these poorly-disclosed fees.

In his remarks before the Department of Transportation’s Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection, NCL Vice President John Breyault called for common-sense reforms, including a requirement that cancellation/change fees be refunded in the event that an airline is able to resell vacated seats. He also urged the DOT to require that cancellation/change fees, which brought in nearly $3 billion in revenue for the airline industry in 2014, be prominently disclosed across all sales channels — including airline websites and online travel agents.

“These fees are a cash cow for the airline industry,” said Breyault. “Consumers often can’t predict when they’ll need to change their itinerary. If the airlines are going to sock them with $200 change fees, they can at least be upfront about the fact that they’re going to do it.”

Breyault also called on the DOT rein in the abuse of mandatory hotel resort fees, which hotels across the country have been increasingly charging consumers to cover things like in-room coffee, newspapers, local phone service, or fax service. “When was the last time you needed to fax something from your hotel?” asked Breyault. “Yet, hotels are routinely nickel-and-diming consumers through these required fees for services that most of us never use.”

Breyault recommended that the DOT require mandatory hotel resort fees to be included with the rates for bundled airfare/hotel packages so that consumers can accurately compare rates and make informed, budget-conscious decisions.

“Consumers cannot make informed buying decisions without clear and accurate disclosure of important fees and surcharges before they reach the point of sale,” said Breyault. “This is even more important in the market for airfares and hotels, where consumers often find themselves captive in situations where it’s difficult to fight unfair fees.”

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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.