The National Consumers League Welcomes Four New Board Members to Advance Fairness, Safety, and Equity

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) today announced the appointment of Cynthia Bauerly, Amy L. Hinojosa, Josh Hurvitz, and Brian Young to its Board of Directors. The new members bring deep expertise in public policy, consumer advocacy, law, and organizational leadership, strengthening NCL’s work to advance fairness, safety, and equity for consumers nationwide. 

“These leaders bring an exceptional breadth of experience and a shared commitment to protecting consumers,” said NCL’s CEO Sally Greenberg. “Their insight and leadership will help NCL confront emerging challenges in the marketplace while continuing our longstanding fight for fairness and accountability.” 

Cynthia Bauerly, Founder of Bauerly Consulting, is a longtime American civil servant, serving in senior roles in law, government, and policy at both the state and federal levels. She served as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Revenue from 2015 through 2020. She previously served as a Commissioner, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Federal Election Commission, and as Legislative Director and Counsel for United States Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York. Bauerly has also worked in private practice in Minnesota and Washington, D.C., specializing in complex litigation and appellate law, with a focus on intellectual property. 

 

Amy L. Hinojosa, President and CEO of MANA, A National Latina Organization, where she leads national efforts to strengthen Latina leadership through mentoring, education, and advocacy. She is a nationally recognized voice on equity and inclusion and serves in leadership roles across multiple national coalitions. 

 

Josh Hurvitz, a Partner at NVG, leads the firm’s technology, media, and entertainment practice. A former Vice President for Public Policy at Time Warner Inc., he brings extensive experience in intellectual property advocacy, corporate merger review, and congressional policymaking.

 

 

Brian Young, Vice President of I Street Advocates, brings a strong background in public policy and consumer advocacy, with a career focused on advancing effective governance and consumer protections across complex regulatory environments. 

 

 

“These appointments significantly enhance NCL’s ability to meet today’s consumer challenges,” said Jon Leibowitz, President of NCL’s Board of Directors. “Their collective experience will help guide our work as we push for a fairer, safer, and more equitable marketplace.” 

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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.  

Holding Corporations Accountable for Child Labor: NCL Endorses New Bipartisan Bill 

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

Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League’s (NCL) Child Labor Coalition (CLC) is proud to support Congresswoman Hillary Scholten’s reintroduction of her bipartisan Justice for Exploited Children Act alongside Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07). This legislation would increase both civil and criminal penalties for companies that violate child labor standards established in the Fair Labor Standards Act. Under current law, penalties for child labor violations are as low as $10,000 in some cases – and the maximum prison sentence is 6 months, even if violations result in the death or serious injury of a child.  

“The Child Labor Coalition and the National Consumers League both welcome—and endorse—Rep. Scholten’s and Rep. Mackenzie’s Justice for Exploited Children Act, with its significantly increased child labor fines,” said Reid Maki, director of child labor advocacy for the National Consumers League and coordinator of the Child Labor Coalition. “Just three years ago, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division cited low fine levels as an obstacle to its efforts to root out hazardous child labor in meatpacking factories. It has been clear that current child labor fine levels are not sufficient to elicit the compliance of large corporations, with annual revenues of hundreds of millions of dollars or more. Fines must be significantly higher if we are to protect our children from dangerous workplaces.” 

The Justice for Exploited Children Act would update these penalties, incentivizing companies to monitor the quality of their supply chains. By instituting a wider range of penalties and doubling certain fines upon repeated or willful violation, this bill allows for nuance in each instance of violation, acknowledging that many businesses are initially unaware of the presence of child laborers in their workforce and supply chains. 

Endorsing organizations include the Campaign to End US Child Labor, Human Rights Watch, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, Economic Policy Institute, First Focus Campaign for Children, Global March Against Child Labor, Green America, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, National Consumers League, and the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. 

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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.  

New Dietary Guidelines Take on Ultra-processed Foods but Abandon Longstanding Advice on Red Meat, Full-Fat Dairy Products and Alcohol

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) values recommendations in the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, that encourage consumers to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. That said, we have significant concerns that the guidelines abandon science-based recommendations limiting daily consumption of red meat, full-fat dairy products, and alcoholic beverages.

“The new Dietary Guidelines offers a jumble of some good and some bad advice that we worry will confuse consumers and lacks the clarity we should expect from federal food and nutrition agencies like the USDA and the FDA,” says NCL CEO Sally Greenberg.

On the positive side, NCL congratulates the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for urging consumers to cut back on highly processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages that are major factors contributing to obesity and chronic disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans consume over half their daily calories from ultra-processed foods, which is why health experts from around the world are calling for government policies aimed at limiting consumption of added sugars, refined grains, highly processed foods, saturated fats, and sugary drinks.

At the same time, NCL joins with other consumer, public health, and medical societies that are concerned that ending what the Trump Administration calls “the war on protein” and bringing back an inverted food pyramid highlighting red meat and full-fat dairy products will cause consumers to exceed recommended limits for sodium and saturated fats. According to nutrition experts, the recommendation to consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight of protein each day – meaning eating protein at every meal – will result in consuming twice the recommended daily allowance of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.

The new dietary guidelines also abandon longstanding advice on drinking alcohol, which until now recommended limiting daily consumption to one or two standard drinks a day, with an explanation of what this means when drinking beer, wine, or a distilled spirits product. Instead, the latest version only states that people should consume less alcohol “for better overall health” and “limit alcohol beverages.” Accordingly, the estimated 62 percent of adult Americans who consume alcoholic beverages will now be flying blind when attempting to make responsible drinking decisions.

Even more problematic, the guidelines do not distinguish between men and women, who metabolize alcohol differently, and fail to caution against underage drinking. Because alcohol is the most widely used substance among Americans aged 12 and older, contributing to about 178,000 deaths annually and causing various cancers, heart and liver diseases, and other chronic conditions, excessive alcohol use costs the U.S. economy approximately $249 billion each year. Thus, the vague focus on alcohol recommendations in the guidelines is not in the public interest and runs counter to the goals of the MAHA movement to reduce chronic disease in the US.

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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.

Weakened Vaccine Guidance Threatens Decades of Public Health Progress 

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League strongly opposes the decision to reduce the CDC’s recommended childhood immunization schedule without scientific justification or public review. 

“By cutting recommended childhood vaccines without evidence-based rationale or expert input, this action recklessly discards decades of peer-reviewed research demonstrating vaccines are safe, effective, and essential to preventing serious childhood illness,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. 

“The U.S. faces distinct disease risks and health system challenges that demand a strong immunization schedule,” Greenberg continued. “Weakening these recommendations will further erode trust in the CDC, lower vaccination rates, and lead to avoidable outbreaks that expose children to preventable disease.” 

Childhood vaccines have prevented millions of cases of disease, tens of thousands of deaths, and billions in health care costs in the United States. NCL urges federal health officials to restore science-driven, transparent decision-making and reaffirm the CDC’s commitment to protecting children and families. 

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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. 

Putting Consumers First in New York City

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League applauds Mayor Mamdani and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for taking bold executive action to combat hidden junk fees, subscription tricks, and traps. 

“As families face rising costs and increasingly opaque pricing practices, these orders represent a critical step toward transparency and fairness in the marketplace,” said NCL VP of Public Policy, John Breyault. “NCL has long supported stronger consumer protections that ensure companies cannot hide fees and pad prices with unnecessary charges.”

“We also commend the City’s commitment to eliminating subscription traps that make it harder for consumers to cancel services than to sign up for them. NCL has championed ‘click-to-cancel’ protections at the federal and state levels, arguing that the right to cancel should be as simple as the right to enroll and that consumers deserve clear consent and easy exits from automatic renewals,” Breyault continued. “By targeting junk fees and unfair auto-renewal practices, New York City is leading the way in protecting everyday New Yorkers from deceptive practices that drain household budgets and undermine trust in our economy,” Breyault concluded.

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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.   

Broad Coalition Opposes Politicization of DC Attorney General 

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Legislation Would Endanger Consumers, Nonprofits, and Civil Society Nationwide 

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), joined by 29 nonprofit, consumer, civil rights, faith-based, and civic organizations, urged congressional leaders to reject H.R. 5179, the District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act, today. The organizations warn that the bill would dangerously undermine the independence of the District’s chief law enforcement office and expose nonprofits and consumers to politicized enforcement. 

In a letter sent to Congressional leaders, the coalition stressed that replacing DC’s independently elected Attorney General with a presidential appointee would concentrate sweeping legal and regulatory power in the Executive Branch. 

“The DC Attorney General plays a critical role in protecting consumers, overseeing nonprofits, and enforcing civil and charitable laws,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “Stripping that office of its independence would create a clear pathway for political retaliation and selective enforcement—regardless of which party controls the White House.” 

The DC Office of the Attorney General (DCOAG) has broad authority over consumer protection, civil enforcement, and the oversight of nonprofits and charitable assets. Because many national 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations are headquartered in the District, the impact of H.R. 5179 would be felt far beyond Washington, DC. 

The coalition warned that a President-appointed Attorney General could be used to launch ideologically motivated investigations, retaliatory audits, or harassing enforcement actions against organizations whose views diverge from an administration’s agenda. Such powers could chill free speech, suppress lawful advocacy, and deter donors—weakening civil society as a whole. 

“These are not abstract or hypothetical risks,” the organizations wrote. “They are the predictable consequences of placing an unaccountable enforcement authority under direct political control.” 

NCL and its partners also cautioned that politicizing the DCOAG could undermine consumer protection by shielding political allies from scrutiny while targeting perceived opponents. 

“The current system ensures accountability to DC residents, not loyalty to a single national political figure,” said Greenberg. “Congress should reject H.R. 5179 and preserve the independence that allows the DC Attorney General to protect consumers, nonprofits, and fundamental democratic freedoms.”  

To read the full letter, click here. 

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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.   

DOJ’s Scam Center Strike Force Is a Major Win for Consumers

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

Washington, DC — The National Consumers League (NCL) applauded the Justice Department’s creation of a new federal Scam Center Strike Force to crack down on cryptocurrency-related fraud. NCL, through its Fraud.org campaign, has long urged stronger action to hold both scammers—and the communication and financial networks they use—accountable for the hundreds of billions lost to fraud each year.

The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud:

“These criminals don’t just drain bank accounts—they destroy lives. This Strike Force is a major step toward putting global fraudsters on notice. For too long, overseas crypto-investment scammers have been operating with impunity, stealing billions from Americans. This new coordinated approach sends a clear message: the U.S. is fighting back.

Crypto scams are the new face of global fraud. They’re high-tech, transnational, and devastating for victims. By treating these operations as the national-security threat they are, DOJ is showing real leadership. The announcement that law enforcement has already seized over $400 million in cryptocurrency is a powerful sign that these criminals can—and will—be caught. But it’s not just about arrests; it’s about getting money back into the hands of victims.

We urge policymakers not to stop here. Consumers need stronger education, more accountability from the platforms and telecom networks that enable scams, and better systems for restitution. This is a fight we can win—but only if we work together.”

Consumer who have been targeted by scammers should not be silent. By filing a complaint via Fraud.org’s secure online complaint form, we can share your story with our network of law enforcement and consumer protection agency partners.

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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.   

From Farm to Feast: National Consumers League Says You Should be Concerned About Food Safety This Holiday Season

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Avoid foodborne illness this Thanksgiving with simple steps for safe thawing, cooking, and leftovers.  

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

Washington, DC – As Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approach, the National Consumers League (NCL) reminds consumers that foodborne illnesses are on the rise. Still, some simple food safety practices will keep holiday meals safe and enjoyable for family and friends.  

“Food safety during the holidays should be a priority,” said NCL Director of Food and Nutrition Policy, Nancy Glick. “Foodborne illnesses affect about 48 million Americans annually, but spike over the holiday season when larger gatherings and leaving food out for extended periods create more opportunities for bacteria to grow and spread.”

Knowing how to prevent foodborne illness requires understanding what this health problem is, who is most at risk, and the types of foods that are most likely to become contaminated and harbor the bacteria that cause most cases of foodborne illness during the holidays.  

However, within these food categories, the USDA has identified a number of holiday foods that are known to carry food safety risks because they are more vulnerable to contamination.  These foods include stuffing made with raw poultry, stuffing, or casseroles, undercooked poultry (like turkey), raw eggs in dishes such as eggnog, and deli meats, especially if they are store-prepared deli salads. Other holiday foods that require attention are leafy greens, ready-to-cook dough and batter, raw or undercooked shellfish and especially oysters, and cooked rice left at room temperature, which can become breeding grounds for bacteria.   

Towards this end, information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is invaluable. Starting with a definition, CDC describes foodborne illnesses, also known as “food poisoning,” as diseases transmitted to people by eating or drinking something contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals, such as toxins or metals.  While a foodborne illness can be severe, leading to hospitalization, long-term health problems, and even death, most cases are mild and involve symptoms like upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting that resolve in a few days.   

The problem, however, is that certain groups of people are more susceptible to foodborne illness than others – meaning they are more likely to get sick from contaminated food. If they do get sick, the effects are often more serious. Thus, it is essential to be vigilant in following safe food-handling practices when shopping for, preparing, and storing foods that will be served to children under age 5, older adults, pregnant women, and people being treated for diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and HIV.   

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) cautions consumers to be aware of holiday foods that can harbor bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria if not cooked or stored correctly. Using data reported from studying foodborne outbreak-related illnesses occurring between 1998 and 2008, USDA researchers determined that plant-based foods, including fruits, nuts, and vegetables, accounted for the most cases of foodborne illness (51 percent), followed by meat and poultry (42 percent) and dairy products (14 percent).      

Glick continues, “Knowing the risks associated with foodborne illness and the common holiday foods that may cause people to get sick are the keys to having a safe and healthy holiday. Foodborne illness is preventable, but this requires being serious about food safety practices, from handwashing, safe thawing methods, preventing cross-contamination, and keeping foods at safe temperatures.”

It’s not too early to brush up on safe food preparation and storage practices. As you gather with loved ones to celebrate the holidays, keep these practices in mind to help prevent foodborne illness.  

NCL’s Top Food Safety Tips for a Healthy Holiday  

  1. Thaw safely: Never Thaw a turkey on the counter. Defrost in the refrigerator (24 hours per 4–5 pounds) or in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. 
  2. Cook thoroughly: Use a food thermometer — turkey breast should reach 165°F, thighs 175°F. Don’t rely on color alone.  
  1. Avoid cross-contamination: Keep raw poultry separate from other foods. Wash your hands, utensils, and cutting boards often.  
  1. Handle leftovers with care: Refrigerate within two hours, store in shallow containers, and reheat to 165°F. Discard after 3–4 days.  

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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. 

Consumer Group Applauds FDA’s Action to Update Hormone Replacement Therapy Warnings 

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

Washington, DC — The National Consumers League (NCL)’ s CEO attended the FDA announcement today that the agency will no longer require the “black box warning” on local estrogen products.  NCL applauds the decision, which follows science and removes warnings that don’t follow the medical data for menopausal women and related conditions.  

“For too long, outdated and misleading warnings have discouraged women from using very safe and effective local estrogen medications to relieve the often-debilitating symptoms of menopause,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League. “We have been asking for the removal of the black box warning for decades. The FDA’s action reflects current evidence and acknowledges the important role these local estrogen therapies can play in improving women’s health and quality of life.”   

NCL is particularly pleased to see the removal of boxed warnings for local vaginal estrogen products — a step that will expand options for managing menopause-related conditions. At the same time, we urge consumers to be vigilant, seek the advice of their health care providers and look for transparency to ensure that they receive clear, evidence-based information about all treatment risks and benefits.  

“Women deserve science-driven policies and access to care that reflects the best available research. The Administration listened to female patients, their doctors, providers, and women’s health researchers and for that we are grateful,” Greenberg concluded. 

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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.   

The National Consumers League Applauds the Trump Administration For Lowering the Price of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

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

Washington, DC – On behalf of the estimated 100,000 million US adults with obesity, many of whom are seeking treatment with FDA-approved anti-obesity medicines, the National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the Trump Administration for negotiating lower prices for the popular GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) weight loss drugs, Wegovy© (semaglutide) and Zepbound© (tirzepatide), so these medicines are more accessible to those needing quality obesity care.

According to an agreement the White House reached with the manufacturers of Wegovy and Zepbound, as of mid-2026, the Medicare program will purchase injectable semaglutide and tirzepatide – and later the pill forms when approved by the FDA — at $149 per month for the lowest dose and $245 per month for larger doses. This means that Medicare will be able to cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs for the first time, with Medicare beneficiaries responsible for co-pay of just $50 per month. Moreover, state Medicaid programs will benefit from these discounts, thereby allowing more people with obesity to receive quality obesity care in the country.

Also of note, starting in January 2026, Americans not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid will be able to buy Wegovy and Zepbound directly from the government website, Trumprx.gov, for $350 or less per month. This represents a significant discount from the price the manufacturers currently offer to consumers through their direct-to-consumer online pharmacy programs.

Collectively, the actions by the Administration will improve the lives of millions of Americans with obesity, who for too long, have been denied access to medicines that are clinically effective in achieving significant weight loss.

However, NCL joins with other members of the obesity community in calling on Congress to pass the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) this year. By enacting this legislation, Congress will ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have coverage for GLP-1 drugs. At the same time, TROA will expand access to intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) in more clinical settings, allowing more adult Americans to receive counseling that promotes sustained weight loss through high intensity interventions on diet and exercise.

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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.