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Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Food Safety Tips for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Monday, December 21, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in Courtney Brein, food and nutrition, health, safety.
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By Courtney Brein, Linda Golodner Food Safety and Nutrition Fellow

The holiday season is a time of joy best spent with family and friends. Keep those you love safe, happy, and healthy by following these simple tips:

When Cooking

  • Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, both before and after handling food items. Take special care when handling raw meat.
  • Numerous holiday recipes, from eggnog to fruitcake, call for eggs. All eggs – even grade A, with uncracked shells – can be contaminated with Salmonella, so it is imperative to cook dishes containing eggs thoroughly. If cookie dough or cake batter contains raw eggs, resist the temptation to lick the spoon.
  • Keep raw poultry, meat, and eggs away from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Clean all surfaces that come in contact with raw meat or poultry – such as cutting boards, utensils, dishes, and countertops – with hot, soapy water or a bleach solution.

When Entertaining

  • Keep guests out of the kitchen, to prevent individuals from touching food and spreading sickness-causing bacteria, which is present on the fingertips of approximately half the population during the holiday season.
  • On the buffet table: Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
  • Serve hot foods in chafing dishes, warming trays, or crock pots, and use a food thermometer to ensure that dishes maintain an internal temperature of at least 140˚F.
  • Place trays of cold foods on ice.
  • Throw away any food that has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours, to better avoid foodborne illness.
  • To avoid bacteria contamination from guests’ hands, refrain from adding new food to nearly-empty serving dishes, and replace the entire dish instead.
  • Keep alcoholic beverages out of reach of children and teenagers and near the watchful eye of a responsible adult.
  • Ensure that the apple cider you serve is pasteurized. Unpasteurized juice, which is labeled as such, can cause vulnerable individuals to become extremely sick.

After the Party

  • Do not drive home if you have had too much to drink. Call a cab, or catch a ride home from a sober driver.
  • If you take leftovers with you after a holiday party, refrigerate them immediately once you arrive home
  • Leftovers stored in the fridge should be consumed within three to four days. When reheating leftovers, ensure that foods reach 165˚F throughout.

NCL Continues Fight for Gift Card Users’ Rights Friday, October 16, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in John Breyault, National Consumers League, Sally Greenberg, finances, legislative issues.
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By John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud

Last November, the National Consumers League released its “Gift Card Holder’s Bill of Rights,” along with Consumer Action and the Montgomery County (Maryland) Office of Consumer Protection.  In that document, we enumerated ten pro-consumer steps that issuers of prepaid gift cards should take to help consumers during the holiday season.

We were pleased when in May of this year, President Obama signed into law the Credit CARD Act of 2009.  That Act, among its many pro-consumer provisions, included a number of new limits on gift cards.  Those limits included:

  • Outlawing dormancy fees, inactivity charges or fees, or service fees unless the card has not been in use for 12 months since the date of purchase or the last time funds were reloaded onto the card.
  • Preventing one that one such fee to be charged in a single month.
  • Increasing disclosure requirements related to fees
  • Prohibiting the sale of gift cards with expiration dates less than five years after the sale of the card or the date on which the card was last reloaded with funds

These provisions are set to take effect on February 22, 2010.

Last week, American Express, the largest issuer of the so-called “open loop” gift cards (also known an “universal” or “general purpose” cards — which can be used at any retailer that accepts credit cards), announced that the company would immediately eliminate all monthly fees on gift cards, including those that consumers have already purchased.

The American Express announcement was welcome news, addressing several of the provisions in our “Gift Card Holder’s Bill of Rights.”

On Wednesday, NCL testified at a hearing of the District of Columbia City Council on legislation proposed by Councilmember Mary Cheh that would strengthen gift card holder’s protections even further than the federal Credit CARD Act.  NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg recommended that the legislation implement a number of the “Gift Card Holder’s Bill of Rights” provisions, including:

  • Capping the up-front fee on the sale of gift cards at $5 or 10% of the cards value, whichever is less
  • Prohibiting any expiration dates on gift cards
  • Making cards with less than $5 in value remaining redeemable for cash, without a fee
  • Applying the unused funds from cards that accrues to state governments under unclaimed property laws to benefit consumers
  • Protecting consumers from card issuer bankruptcy by segregating the funds from the sale of cards into separate trust accounts

We urged the District to take these pro-consumer steps, which would place it at the vanguard of states seeking to enact robust consumer protection laws in the gift card market.

NCL full testimony is available by clicking here.

Consumerist.com Honored With Consumer Education Leadership Award Friday, October 9, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in John Breyault, National Consumers League, Sally Greenberg, Uncategorized.
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Consumerist.com's Ben Popken and Meghann Marco, recipients of this year's Parker Award.

By John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud

Last Thursday, NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg and I traveled to the Riverside Church in New York City for the 27th Annual Everett C. Parker Ethics in Telecommunications Lecture and Reception.  The event, organized by the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ, Inc. in collaboration with the Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC), which is now part of NCL, honors those individuals and organizations that have promoted the public interest in telecommunications and broadcasting.

We were excited this year to honor Ben Popken and Meghann Marco, the co-executive editors of Consumerist.com, the Internet’s preeminent consumer blog.  Consumerist, now owned by Consumers Union, is one of the top 25 blogs on the Internet, and its 375,000 daily visitors outnumber the daily circulation of the Denver Post, Newsday, and the Boston Globe.

Sally Greenberg’s remarks put the impact of the Consumerist best when she said:

“The Consumer Education Leadership Award, was created out of the belief that media advocacy and an informed and educated public go hand in hand. … Consumerist has been a catalyst for pro-consumer changes.  Ben Popken and Meghann Marco” represent the ever evolving nature of consumer journalism.  Through their contributions as Co-Executive Editors at The Consumerist blog, they have given consumers a powerful new voice.  We honor Ben and Meghann for helping consumers tilt the balance of power in the marketplace back in their favor.”

Ben and Meghann summed up what Consumerist has meant to the wider world of consumer journalism in their remarks:

“We see Consumerist’s role as bringing the awesome power of the internet to bear on important consumer issues of the day and expose them to the spotlight of the over 2 million people who read us each month. We seek to create awareness, by unorthodox means if necessary.”

“The playing field is leveling. Consumers are forcing transparency on companies simply by connecting with each other. When consumers can easily compare notes, patterns emerge, which can then be acted on. These conversations are the first steps towards real change. In our 25 new stories each day, it is our privilege to try to help facilitate these discussions.”

The nation faces a critical moment. Consumers are strapped and seeking solutions. Desperate times invent desperate measures. In this environment, scams can take out super bowl ads and hide behind the skirt of their fine print, simply because they have the cash to burn.”

To view a complete video of Ben and Meghann’s acceptance speech, click here.

We were also excited that long-time NCL Board Member and TRAC Founder Sam Simon received the Donald C. McGannon Award at the Parker event.  The McGannon Award recognizes those who have played a significant role in advancing the role of minorities in the communications and broadcasting industries.

Preventive Care – A Luxury We Should All Be Afforded Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in Mimi Johnson, health, legislative issues, worker's rights issues.
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by Mimi Johnson, NCL Health Policy Associate

Taking center stage in Washington, DC and across the country these days is health reform, which presents an opportunity to afford all Americans access to preventive services. With its largest supporter now absent, Senator Kennedy’s legacy as a champion for a healthier America will be felt as discussions ensue. Senator Kennedy, and the HELP Committee he led for so many years, produced the first health reform bill earlier this summer, packed with expanded preventive services and opportunities for health promotion – including resources for public-private partnerships to help educate consumers about health and safety issues.

Senator Kennedy felt all Americans had a right to health care. He increased access to care by creating and improving such important programs as Medicare and Medicaid, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Kennedy advocated that everyone have the opportunity to use the same government insurance he was afforded as a Member of Congress.

While I do not have access to the same insurance Senator Kennedy had, I am fortunate enough to have coverage. In fact, I recently had the luxury of visiting my primary care physician, something millions of Americans go without year after year. Because I am afforded the opportunity for an annual well-visit, I see it as my duty to go. I am, however, in the minority. A study by the University of Pittsburgh and RAND found that only 1/5th of the US population receive an annual preventive health exam.

The importance of primary care and prevention to our overall health, and the sustainability of our health care system, is too great to put a price tag on. In fact, just look back at our recent post about the free medical clinic in LA; the long lines show that people recognize the need to check-in and get a check-up. It is very important that we not only have access to a check-up, but that we all have the ability to check-in with a health care professional who can talk with us about our life – ranging from our diet and exercise, to stress, and the medications we are on or allergies we have.

If you are lucky enough to have insurance – take advantage of it and schedule your annual check-up and check-in with your health professional.

And thanks to Senator Kennedy for all of his hard work to make this country a healthier place.

Consumer Groups, Feds, Industry Convene to Discuss National Food Policy Thursday, September 17, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in food and nutrition, legislative issues, safety.
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By Courtney Brein, Linda Golodner Food Safety and Nutrition Fellow

The National Consumers League was pleased to join fellow consumer advocates along with government and food industry representatives at last week’s 32nd annual National Food Policy Conference.  The conference, sponsored by the Consumer Federation of America and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, focused on two key issues of national concern: food safety and child nutrition.  On food safety, the conference proved particularly timely.

Lately, unease about the safety of the food supply in the United States has grown, fueled by outbreaks of food-borne illness linked to contaminated peanut butter and cookie dough.  A Pew-commissioned bipartisan poll of Iowa voters released during the conference found that approximately half of those polled stated that events of the past year have decreased their confidence in the safety of food sold in this country.  A Pew-commissioned nationwide poll released at the same time found that concern about the safety of imported foods has increased since 2008; 64 percent of Americans surveyed believe imported foods to be “often or sometimes unsafe,” whereas only 53 percent of likely voters expressed these concerns in 2008.  The poll also found that 89 percent of participants want stronger food safety measures and 91 percent want more frequent inspections of high-risk food processing facilities.

Modernized food safety laws are long overdue.  Many food safety regulations have not been updated since 1906, when President Theodore Roosevelt signed into law the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, legislation that the National Consumers League played a key role in passing.  In July, the House passed the Food Safety Enhancement Act, H.R. 2749, which would increase the regulatory powers of the FDA, require imported food to meet the same safety standards as food produced in the United States, establish a national food tracing system, and require all food processing facilities to implement food safety plans.  Food safety advocates hope that the Senate version of the bill, which does not include all provisions in the House bill, will come up for consideration this session.

During her keynote speech, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg detailed the FDA’s plans to strengthen its own programs and policies, measures which include appointing a Deputy Commissioner for Foods.  Hamburg also noted a fundamental change in perspective at the FDA: “We are pressing forward with a new agenda: to shift the agency’s emphasis away from mitigating public health harm by removing unsafe products from the market place, to…prevent[ing] harm by keeping unsafe food from entering commerce in the first place.”  The Commissioner announced the Reportable Food Registry, a new initiative requiring food industry officials to electronically report cases of probable food contamination within 24 hours of discovery.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius echoed Commissioner Hamburg’s commitment to cross-agency collaboration and noted that new preventive measures will not only save lives but will generate significant cost savings as well.  Secretary Sebelius used her speech before an audience of many consumer advocates to announce the launch of www.foodsafety.gov , a joint initiative of the USDA and HHS that will provide consumers with a one-stop source for information about the latest recalls and outbreaks.

The National Consumers League applauds the collaborative approach embraced by the Obama administration and strongly supports much needed food safety reform.

Labor Day Reflections Monday, September 7, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in Sally Greenberg, social justice, worker's rights issues.
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By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director

As we observe Labor Day today, Monday, September 7, it’s interesting to think back on the work of NCL’s founders. In 1899 a group of women associated with the Hull House social settlement and led by Hull House member Florence Kelley established the advocacy group, the National Consumers League (NCL). Kelley’s objective as head of NCL was focused on improving the pay and working conditions of those who toiled in sweatshops and factories, and most important, getting children out of the workplace and into schools. Kelley traveled the country lecturing on working conditions in the United States. She also initiated the NCL White Label, and employers whose labor practices met with the NCL’s approval for fairness and safety were granted the right to display it.

NCL’s constitution stipulated that it was “concerned that goods be produced and distributed at reasonable prices and in adequate quantity, but under fair, safe, and healthy working conditions that foster quality products for consumers and a decent standard of living for workers.” By any measure, Kelley’s work advanced the interests of children and workers enormously.

I believe that Florence Kelley would applaud NCL’s being part of a coalition of unions, environmental and religious groups this Labor Day that are renewing a call on the world’s largest retailer and private employer, Wal-Mart, to use its power in the marketplace – as a corporate citizen and employer – for the good of workers and communities. Leading the charge is the United Food and Commercial Workers, which also runs the “WakeUpWal-Mart.com”. UFCW holds a seat on the NCL Board.

As UFCW has observed,

“Nobody wants an economy where workers earn wages that can’t support a family. Nobody wants an economy where people who goto work everyday and work hard have to turn to public assistance for basic needs. We are trying to engage Wal-Mart, not isolate it. With 1.4 million Americans working in its stores, Wal-Mart bears a unique responsibility to its workers and our communities, and we’re asking them to embrace this challenge.”

Though it has a few modern touches, Florence Kelley could have made that statement. The groups in the coalition – which are named below –  have issued direct challenges to Wal-Mart in five key areas: worker rights, quality jobs, equal opportunity, corporate responsibility and a healthy environment. As part of this renewed effort, WakeUpWal-Mart.com will be releasing two new television advertisements called “Common Sense Economics Rules” calling on Wal-Mart to offer quality, affordable health care coverage to all its employees. Both ads highlight Wal-Mart’s failure to cover 700,000 of its employees, nearly half of its workforce. They end with the message “Wal-Mart can afford to be a better employer; Now would be a good time to start.”

We join our coalition partners in this campaign with new energy – working for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act in Congress, inspired by the tasks left undone by labor champion Senator Teddy Kennedy, and vowing to improve conditions for workers at Wal-Mart and so many other workplaces in the United States where benefits are scarce or nonexistent, the work dangerous or mind-numbingly tedious, and the pay low. Certainly since Florence Kelley’s time we’ve made progress, but there is so much more to do. Happy Labor Day to all from the National Consumers League.

Coalition members include: AFL-CIO, Change to Win, Sierra Club, Campaign for America’s Future, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, National Consumers League, AFSCME, American Rights at Work, Communications Workers of America, Interfaith Worker Justice, LIUNA, National Labor Coordinating Committee, Service Employees International Union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Auto Workers, United Farmer Workers and United Steel Workers.

Free Dental Care Seekers a Reality Check for Health Reform Opponents Monday, August 17, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in National Consumers League, Sally Greenberg, food and nutrition, health, legislative issues, the economy.
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By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director

A recent New York Times article featured a heartbreaking account of the other side of all the screaming protests lawmakers are facing on health care reform. This is the real story, one that describes the desperate need for basic health care services that millions of Americans face every day.

Thousands of people in Los Angeles lined up starting after midnight and snaking into the early hours this week for free dental, medical, and vision services. Stan Brock, the heroic founder of a nonprofit called Remote Area Medical (RAM), usually sets services in rural areas where low and middle income people are without adequate health insurance. RAM this time opened up in a large urban area. The response was overwhelming – 8,000 people over 8 days, many in search of dental services but many also seeking multiple types of care – will be seen this week. On one day alone volunteer health care providers performed 95 tooth extractions, 470 fillings, 140 pairs of eyeglasses, 96 pap smears, and 93 tuberculosis tests.

California’s budget crisis is implicated in this overwhelming demand for basic care – MediCal enrollees have had their dental and vision coverage slashed. Some of the patients interviewed even had insurance – most did not – but those who are insured said that they have such high deductibles and co-pays they can’t afford to take advantage of their benefits.

The National Consumers League has a long history – dating back to the 1930s – of fighting for universal health care. Today we continue to work for coverage for every American.

It’s also significant that the patients seen in Los Angeles are plagued by dental problems, with the cost of dental care out of reach for many Americans. For this reason, NCL has taken a leadership role in joining dental care professionals and educators in advocating for inclusion of dental services in overall health reform. Investing in dental health for our youngest citizens is a wise investment that can prevent tooth and gum disease and thousands of dollars needed to treat those diseases later in life.

Lawmakers would be wise to read today’s NY Times story – it serves as a reality check for those who are protesting so loudly at town meetings and other events that 46 million Americans are without health care coverage and that, despite their fears, this country needs to move forward in providing universal health care to all.

Follow LifeSmarts on Facebook and Twitter Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in LifeSmarts, Uncategorized.
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by Brandi Williams, LifeSmarts Program Assistant

With the official end to the 2009 program year in June, we LifeSmarts program staff are using this summer to gear up for an exciting new year, which will officially kick off in September. From social networking, to new program content and coaching materials, to improved navigability on LifeSmarts.org, the 2010 program year is looking to be one of the best years ever.

LifeSmarts is now on Facebook and Twitter, reaching teens where they are!

Our Facebook fan page serves as a forum for LifeSmarts participants to interact and network with each other and the LifeSmarts staff in a safe and easily accessible location and receive program updates and news alerts. We post daily questions on our Twitter page, and direct followers to post their answers to @LifeSmarts_org using hashtag #lsqotd (LifeSmarts Question of the Day).

The Twitter daily questions come directly from LifeSmarts educational content in the areas of consumer rights and responsibilities, personal finance, technology, health and safety, and the environment. See what teens are learning at LifeSmarts.org by following us on Twitter, and challenge yourself to correctly answer the daily question!

Help us grow the LifeSmarts community! We encourage not only students, but all LifeSmarts supporters and enthusiasts, to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

And watch for future opportunities to win prizes!

Tips to Enjoy a Safe and Healthy Summer Monday, July 13, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in health, safety.
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Though summer may be in full swing and we might be in relaxation mode, it is all the more important we stay consumer savvy.

Sunny days may bring a smile to our faces and give us our daily dose of vitamin D, but we have to be prepared and protected so that we don’t get too much of a good thing.  It’s important to wear a hat (with a brim and ideally one that offers the face and ears protection), limit exposure between 10am and 4pm, wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection, and use sunscreen.  When using sunscreen, there are a few things to remember:

  • use broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays
  • use SPF 15 at a minimum
  • apply at least 30 minutes before going outside so that it can be absorbed
  • apply even on cloudy days
  • reapply at least every 2 hours – more if you are in water or staying active and sweating

With longer, warmer days, it makes it all the easier to get out and get active. Whether biking, swimming or walking, it’s important to do so safely.  Wear a helmet, and appropriate padding, when you take the wheels.  When swimming, stay alert and practice some safe tips like swimming with a partner, knowing your limits, staying in safe swimming areas (and avoiding currents, deep water, etc.), being careful about diving, and keeping protected from the sun.  If you plan to exercise, try to avoid drinking a lot of alcohol or caffeine beforehand, as it can cause dehydration.  Stretch your muscles out before any activity to prevent injury.  And one of the most important things to remember when getting out and active this summer is to stay hydrated!

With all the excitement of summer, it’s also important to take some time to relax a bit, whether it means you take a vacation or a staycation.  It’s important that you take some time to unplug, unwind and give your body a much needed break – it can actually help lower our blood pressure.

So whether going for a relaxing stroll or splashing around in a pool, stay safe and consumer savvy this summer!

Food Safety Tips for Independence Day Picnicking Friday, July 3, 2009

Posted by savvyconsumer in food and nutrition, health, safety.
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Holidays are often busy times for people spending time with families and friends. With sunshine, good company, and fireworks to come, food safety might not be the first thing on your mind, but when picnicking and barbecuing it can be challenging to keep your food safe.  Here are a few tips on how to keep your food free from harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses:

  • Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.  At outdoor temperatures, harmful bacteria grow rapidly.
  • Never save leftovers.  Discard anything left over.
  • Discard prepared food if it has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

For more detailed information on keeping food safe while picnicking, check out these links on “Safe Picnicking and Grilling”  and “Safety on Your Picnic.”

If you’re going camping this weekend, here is a handy checklist to make sure you’re remembering everything you need to have a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!