Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Washington, DC— Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, today launched a new website, www.NotInMyCart.org, to keep consumers informed about everything from recalls to Congressional action involving hazardous products and foods.
“With so much in the news about hazardous imports and unsafe levels of lead in toys, people don’t know how to find safe products and get rid of unsafe ones. We hope www.NotInMyCart.org provides American families with timely information to help keep their homes and children safe,” said Donald Mays, Senior Director of Product Safety Planning and Technical Administration for Consumers Union.
“People who agree real safeguards need to be enacted can also contact lawmakers to push for strong legislation to mend the hole in the safety net,” added Mays.
Among its many features, the website offers CU’s recommendations for ensuring the products we import and sell are safe, and news on the latest recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition, the website provides tips from Consumer Reports magazine on how consumers can keep their homes safe, and includes updates on what Congress and the Administration are doing to make our food supply, toys, and other products safer.
Finally, the website features a “share your story” section where consumers can share their experiences with hazardous food, products, and imports so other consumers can learn from their experiences.
In recent years, imports have skyrocketed, especially from China. The value of all imports increased by 67 percent between 2000 and 2006, and today 80 percent of all toys sold in the United States are imported from China. Of all the food we consume, 13 percent is imported, and 83 percent of the seafood is imported, yet less than one percent is inspected.
As part of Consumers Union’s ongoing effort to educate consumers and legislators on unsafe products and food, Jean Halloran, CU’s Director of Food Policy Initiatives, will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, October 18, 2007 on, “Growing Trade, Growing Vigilance: Import Health and Safety Today and Tomorrow.”
Visit www.NotInMyCart.org for the latest information on hazardous products and food.
Contact:
Jennifer Fuson 202-462-6262
Naomi Starkman 917-539-3924