NCL Urges FDA to Reject Misleading Petition on Acetaminophen Labeling

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Warns against politicizing drug safety decisions and spreading misinformation to pregnant women 

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) has submitted comments urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reject a petition from the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) that calls for new warnings on over-the-counter acetaminophen products. NCL warns that ICAN’s proposed labeling changes are not supported by credible science and could needlessly alarm pregnant women. 

“Decades of high-quality research show no causal link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “The science is clear: acetaminophen remains the safest and most effective option for managing fever or pain during pregnancy. Overstating unproven risks will only confuse and endanger women and their babies.” 

“Inserting politically motivated warnings into drug labeling would erode public trust in the FDA and risk discouraging appropriate treatment for pregnant women, potentially leading to greater harm,” Greenberg added. “Pregnant women deserve clear, evidence-based information to protect their health and their children’s health.”  

NCL notes that medical experts, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have all reaffirmed acetaminophen’s safety when used as directed. In addition, FDA’s own notice to physicians issued in September states that “a causal relationship has not been established.” 

NCL’s full comments are available 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.   

NCL Responds to FDA Action on Fluoride Supplements: Access Still in Question

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

Washington, DC – Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced actions to restrict the sale of unapproved ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children. The agency has notified four companies of its intent to take enforcement action against those marketing unapproved fluoride-containing drugs labeled for use in children under age three or for older children at low or moderate risk for tooth decay.  

“Fluoride remains one of the most effective and affordable tools we have to protect children’s teeth,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “While we are relieved that this is not a ban on fluoride supplements, the FDA’s actions highlight an ongoing concern about access to safe and effective fluoride sources for children. Millions of families, especially those without access to fluoridated water, depend on fluoride supplements prescribed by their healthcare providers to prevent painful and costly cavities.  There is scant evidence that fluoride supplements harm children, as the FDA alleges. I myself took them when I was pregnant, and he took them as an infant, and millions of other children enjoy great dental health with no neurological effects.”  

“Preventing cavities is always better than treating them. Without prevention, families face unaffordable dental bills, and children face serious long-term health consequences,” Greenberg concluded. “It is imperative not to deprive children without access to fluoridated water of other safe sources of fluoride.”  

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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.   

A War on the Hungry: NCL Denounces Federal Inaction on SNAP

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is deeply alarmed by the federal government’s refusal to use billions in emergency funds to sustain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This reckless decision constitutes a direct assault on the nation’s most vulnerable—our children, the sick, the poor, the elderly, and the disabled—and risks plunging tens of millions back into hunger and hardship.

“Forcing millions of Americans to go hungry while sitting on billions in available funds is unconscionable,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “This is a war on the most defenseless members of our society, and history will not look kindly on those who turned their backs. Feeding the hungry is not a partisan issue—it is a moral imperative.”

NCL calls on the administration to immediately deploy the contingency funds intended to prevent hunger and protect the health and dignity of all Americans.

To learn more about the roots of America’s hunger crisis and what’s at stake, read NCL’s latest blog post, A Call Not to Make Americans Hungry Again, by Food and Nutrition Policy Director Nancy Glick.

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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 Applauds FBI’s Arrests for Fraudulent Sports Betting

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

Washington, DC – The FBI’s recent arrests for fraudulent NBA sports betting highlight the risk consumers take when gambling. The public deserves a fair playing field. This is an industry that has seen consumers get taken advantage of far too often. Our sports gambling and addiction report warns that easy mobile access, aggressive advertising, and weak consumer protections have facilitated a predatory business model that must be disrupted. Read more details on the report 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.    

National Consumers League Statement on Senate HELP Committee Hearing

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The 340B program has become a billion-dollar cash cow

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

Washington, DC – Today, the Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing on the 340B program, marking an important milestone in the conversation around reforming the program so it serves vulnerable patients – as it was intended to.

“The 340B program has become a billion-dollar cash cow, straying from its original mission and lining the pockets of big hospital businesses instead of helping patients,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of National Consumers League. “We are hopeful that this hearing will finally push Congress to act. Not to put an end to 340B, but to reform it such that the program can once again serve its purpose.”

For years, the 340B program has grown unchecked, enriching large hospital systems and pharmacy chains while patients continue to face high drug costs and limited access to care. The program’s intent was simple: help safety-net providers stretch resources to reach underserved patients. But increasingly, discounts never reach those who need them most.

Now is the time for action. The National Consumers League urges Congress to use this moment to bring transparency, accountability, and patient-centered reform to 340B.

Read our comments 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.    

At a Critical Moment for Consumer Protections, the National Consumers League Celebrates Champions Who Refuse to Back Down

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Awards to be presented to Senator Richard J. Durbin; Representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois; Washington State’s Attorney General Nick Brown; and 9to5 founder Ellen Cassedy  

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) will host its annual Trumpeter Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The evening begins with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m.   

“Consumers have taken a hit this year,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “But this year’s honorees remind us that the fight for consumer protection, fairness, and accountability is alive and well. They represent the best of America’s advocates—leaders who have dedicated their lives to defending consumers, workers, and families.” 

NCL will honor Senator Richard J. Durbin and Representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Washington State’s Attorney General Nick Brown, and 9to5 founder Ellen Cassedy, the recipient of the Florence Kelley Award. Introductions will be made by the Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, NCL Board Secretary Joi Chaney and labor organizer and women’s rights activist Heather Booth. News4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter, Susan Hogan, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.  

For more than 45 years, NCL’s Trumpeter Awards have recognized trailblazers who speak out for social justice, fairness, and consumer rights. This year’s celebration comes at a pivotal time for consumers across the country, as the agencies and protections we all depend on—the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the Federal Trade Commission, have their budgets slashed, their leaders dismissed, and their regulatory agendas dismantled.    

As consumer leaders navigate these unprecedented attacks in a rapidly changing marketplace, NCL’s 2025 Trumpeter Awards Dinner will serve as both a celebration and a call to action—lifting up those who have spent their careers raising their voices for fairness, safety, and justice.   

All press, RSVP to maggieo@nclnet.org. 

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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 CEO Sally Greenberg Honored at Girls Inc. DC Champion for Girls Luncheon 

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

Washington, DC — The National Consumers League (NCL) is proud to announce that CEO Sally Greenberg will be recognized at the 3rd Annual Champion for Girls Luncheon hosted by Girls Inc. DC. The event, held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton West End, celebrates leaders who champion the rights, opportunities, and futures of girls and young women.    

“I am deeply honored to receive the Bold Award from Girls Inc. DC,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “Girls Inc. has been a beacon of empowerment and hope for generations, and I am inspired by the incredible work they do to uplift and support young women. Our girls hold the promise of tomorrow, and ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive is one of the most important investments we can make as a nation.” 

“For more than 150 years, Girls Inc. has inspired girls to be strong, smart, and bold—providing mentorship, advocacy, and life-changing programs that empower the next generation of leaders,” said Joi Cheney, GIDC Board Member, Immediate Past Chair Founder & Principal, J.O.I. Strategies. “Sally Greenberg exemplifies those values through her fearless advocacy for consumers, women, and families. Her leadership, integrity, and bold voice for equity make her a natural choice for this honor.”  

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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.     

National Consumers League Statement on FTC Suit Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) today welcomed the announcement that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general have sued Live Nation and Ticketmaster.  The complaint alleges that Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary rigged the system with deceptive pricing and shady broker deals, raking in hundreds of millions while sticking fans with billions in bogus fees and inflated prices.  

The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud, National Consumers League: 

“NCL applauds the FTC and state attorneys general for bringing this landmark action against Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The allegations laid out by the FTC make clear what NCL has long argued: far from being an innocent victim of ticket resale, Live Nation profits from it immensely. By working hand-in-glove with ticket brokers to circumvent ticket limits and then reaping billions in fees on the resale market, Live Nation has sought to corner the secondary ticketing market just as it has monopolized the rest of the live events industry.” 

“For years, consumers and artists alike have paid the price for this anticompetitive and deceptive conduct—through hidden fees, inflated resale prices, and diminished trust in the live event marketplace. Today’s action is a vital step toward holding Live Nation accountable, restoring fairness, and ensuring that fans, not monopolists, are the ones who come first in live entertainment. It also underscores the urgent need for Congress to pass the bipartisan TICKET Act (H.R. 1402/S. 281), which would codify much-needed transparency and consumer protections into law, ensuring lasting reform of a market long tilted against fans.” 

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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. 

Crackdown on Deceptive Weight Loss Drug Ads Marks Victory for Consumers

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

Washington, DC – Justice delayed was justice denied to millions of Americans who have been exposed to a flood of deceptive advertising about the safety of the same weight loss drugs that the Food and Drug Administration warns are not approved and “could be risky for patients.”  Now, FDA is standing up for consumers by sending 100 cease-and-desist letters that tell online sellers of compounded GLP-1 drugs that it is a breach of FDA regulation to tout the benefits of the weight-loss drugs without any mention of side effects and to stop this “false or misleading” marketing.  

“Americans need a cop on the beat to protect them from the rampant disinformation now circulating online that causes consumers to tune out the advice of the FDA and leading medical societies and opt for drugs that may cause harm or could be fakes, says Nancy Glick, Director of Food and Nutrition Policy. The National Consumers League welcomes FDA’s commitment to monitor the content and claims of companies promoting GLP-1 weight loss medicines and other prescription drugs and to enforce prescription drug advertising regulations aggressively. 

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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 Applauds Introduction of Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act

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

Today, Congressman Correa introduced the Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act, a bill that would prevent misleading practices in product packaging, including undisclosed shrinkflation. The National Consumers League (NCL), Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer World, and Public Citizen have endorsed the bill.

“Healthy markets require transparency,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “We appreciate that Congressman Correa is leading the charge on this commonsense policy. Consumers deserve to know if they will receive less product than they expect.”

The legislation would prohibit the sale of diminished product amounts without a reduction in packaging size. If businesses choose not to reduce their packaging size, they would have to clearly label on the product that the contents are reduced or face penalties under federal law.

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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.