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Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Chinese government pressuring lawyers, families to stop tainted milk cases
· 10/08/2008 05:17:00 AM ET · Link
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Is the GOP also in charge of "regulations" in China? Sounds like it and the heavy handed push to cancel lawsuits sounds like a Republican dream. It's obvious that the Beijing government could care less about proper oversight so why does anyone want to continue doing business with them? Sure their products are cheap but the health and safety risks are too much. Shame on the Western businesses who continue to shrug their shoulders and act surprised with each new story. We don't need a trading partner like this nor do we need importers who are unable, unwilling and uninterested in providing basic safety to customers who expect more. Again, business can not self-regulate and the Chinese government is an unreliable business partner.
On Monday, the State Council, China’s Cabinet and highest government body, acknowledged the dairy industry was “chaotic†and had suffered from a grave lack of oversight, while pledging to monitor milk products from farm to dinner table.
But the government has also imposed controls on media coverage of the crisis, suggesting it does not want it to become a focal point of public dismay.
At least 14 lawyers from Henan province who have been advising victims’ families were told by officials from the provincial government’s justice department to stop their activities, Chang told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.
“They called me and my boss at my law firm and put pressure on me,†Chang said. “They said that this has become a political issue and that I ought to follow the arrangements set out by the government.â€
“If this suggestion is disobeyed, the lawyer and the firm will be dealt with,†Chang quoted the official as saying.
But the government has also imposed controls on media coverage of the crisis, suggesting it does not want it to become a focal point of public dismay.
At least 14 lawyers from Henan province who have been advising victims’ families were told by officials from the provincial government’s justice department to stop their activities, Chang told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.
“They called me and my boss at my law firm and put pressure on me,†Chang said. “They said that this has become a political issue and that I ought to follow the arrangements set out by the government.â€
“If this suggestion is disobeyed, the lawyer and the firm will be dealt with,†Chang quoted the official as saying.
Labels: business, china, consumer protection
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Bush-FDA: a little melamine is just fine
· 10/04/2008 04:52:00 AM ET · Link
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Because they've been so right, so often about so many things. Translated to everyone else outside of the once respected organization, I think this works out to be "China is our trading partner and we'd rather not offend them or call them out for failing so miserably and in fact, our own US companies who outsource products under such conditions for a few extra pennies of profit are equally clueless and dangerous." Or something like that.
This is what happens when you leave religious zealots and deregulation extremists to run the shop and that's what we have across the entire administration. Pick your branch of the federal government and it's always the same.
Labels: Bush administration, china, consumer protection, FDA
Friday, October 03, 2008
Bank mergers point to higher fees, lower service
· 10/03/2008 04:33:00 AM ET · Link
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And that's not even touching the issue of creating even bigger monsters that are too big to fail. Once this phase settles (improvement won't happen any time soon) Congress needs to address the larger problem so consumers have more choices and we're not once again stuck in a "too big to fail" situation.
The big banks consistently charge the highest fees and service? Well, if you're doing millions upon millions of dollars in business you can expect service but for everyone else, not so much. You will also probably pay lower fees if you're in the big leagues as opposed to a normal retail client. Once again, what some believe is free market capitalism is plain old favoritism for those who have the best army of lobbyists, free market, be damned.
Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, said account holders should pay careful attention to the paperwork they receive from their new banks. Existing accounts at the banks that are taken over will be converted into new accounts at the parent, he said. "And most of the time the new account has higher fees and fewer features."
It's also important for consumers to keep track of online banking, direct deposits and other electronic transactions, because there have been cases where two banks had difficulty merging their computer systems, Mierzwinski said.
"It's turned out in many mergers there were a lot of burps involved," because the computer systems were not compatible, he said. "If your account number changes, your whole electronic banking world could have trouble."
It's also important for consumers to keep track of online banking, direct deposits and other electronic transactions, because there have been cases where two banks had difficulty merging their computer systems, Mierzwinski said.
"It's turned out in many mergers there were a lot of burps involved," because the computer systems were not compatible, he said. "If your account number changes, your whole electronic banking world could have trouble."
Labels: banks, consumer protection, free market phony
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Melamine showing up in US candy from China
· 10/02/2008 04:46:00 AM ET · Link
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How's deregulation working these days? Wasn't industry supposed to self-regulate? You know it's bad when the Bush FDA gets off its butt and actually says something that alerts consumers to a problem.
A chemical blamed for sickening infants in China has been found in candy on American shelves.
Connecticut consumer protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr. said Wednesday that tests on White Rabbit Creamy Candy found melamine.
The candy has been found in stores in Connecticut. It was imported from China and sold primarily at Asian markets.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended last week that consumers not eat White Rabbit candy and that retailers remove it. Queensway Foods Company Inc. of California distributed the candy and says it is recalling it.
Melamine is used in plastics manufacturing and has been associated with contaminated infant formula and other Chinese products containing milk protein.
Connecticut consumer protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr. said Wednesday that tests on White Rabbit Creamy Candy found melamine.
The candy has been found in stores in Connecticut. It was imported from China and sold primarily at Asian markets.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended last week that consumers not eat White Rabbit candy and that retailers remove it. Queensway Foods Company Inc. of California distributed the candy and says it is recalling it.
Melamine is used in plastics manufacturing and has been associated with contaminated infant formula and other Chinese products containing milk protein.
Labels: china, consumer protection, FDA, melamine
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Cadbury chocolate tainted with melamine
· 9/30/2008 01:30:00 AM ET · Link
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And I thought Hershey's chocolate was bad, Cadbury is even worse. At least Hershey chocolate is only tasteless. Here's yet another example of a failed outsourcing program that delivered a better bottom line to the company but a terribly flawed product. The regulation system in China deserves plenty of blame (and China will lose valuable business because of the repeated problems) but the companies also ought to step up and recognize their own failings. It's their name on the product so they need to do a better job if they want to maintain any trust with their customers.
NOTE FROM JOHN: I never liked Cadbury anyway, but I'm never touching them again. This raises a much larger question: Just how many companies are using China to make our food? I'd never heard that, I thought China was primarily making clothing (and computers). But food? Why would anyone trust eating anything made in China nowadays? I'm worried enough whether my clothing has any creepy carcinogens in it thanks to the Chinese. But food? No way in hell. So just how much of our food, if any, is made in China?
Labels: china, consumer protection, food
Sunday, September 28, 2008
FDA warns on melamine-tainted instant coffee
· 9/28/2008 06:13:00 AM ET · Link
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In other words, run like hell to throw that stuff out. If the Bush-FDA is actually issuing a warning, it's really bad because they never lift a finger even when the evidence is overwhelming. (They still insist the Bisphenol A (BPA) bottled originally produced by Nalgene and loved by backpackers - myself included - are OK to use despite health safety departments and studies around the world suggesting the opposite.)
Wouldn't it be nice and a bit of a crazy idea to have food that's actually food and then regulate accordingly? Just as Bush-McCain Republicans hate regulation in the banking/finance sector, they also have fought against it with food and pharmaceuticals. Can we quit the little word games that these anti-regulation types keep playing? Their extremist right wing theories are killing the rest of us, so just move on. You failed.
U.S. regulators warned the public on Friday not to consume seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products that were made in China because of concerns they may be contaminated with melamine.
The Food and Drug Administration said the products were recalled by King Car Food Industrial Co Ltd "due to possible contamination with melamine."
Infant formula tainted with the industrial chemical has resulted in hospitalization for thousands of Chinese babies with painful kidney stones. Four have died.
Oh and over 54,000 people in China have become sick.
The Food and Drug Administration said the products were recalled by King Car Food Industrial Co Ltd "due to possible contamination with melamine."
Infant formula tainted with the industrial chemical has resulted in hospitalization for thousands of Chinese babies with painful kidney stones. Four have died.
Labels: Bush administration, china, consumer protection, FDA
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Consumers spending less on health care as economy softens
· 9/23/2008 02:03:00 AM ET · Link
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This really is pathetic. Families are having to postpone or delay health care or medicine because the SOBs on Wall Street and their Republican friends like McCain and Phil Gramm had to ditch regulation and oversight. Wall Street continues to have plenty of bonus money as we can see from the $2.5 BILLION sum for Lehman. How bad off are they if they can fail and still have $2.5 billion to hand out?
The number of prescriptions filled in the U.S. fell 0.5% in the first quarter and a steeper 1.97% in the second, compared with the same periods in 2007 -- the first negative quarters in at least a decade, according to data from market researcher IMS Health. Despite an aging and growing U.S. population, the number of physician office visits also has been declining since the end of 2006. Between July 2007 and 2008, the most recent month for which data are available, visits fell 1.2%, according to IMS.
In a survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners last month, 22% of 686 consumers said that economy-related woes were causing them to go to the doctor less often. About 11% said they've scaled back on prescription drugs to save money. Some of the areas being hit include hip and knee replacements, mammograms, and visits to the emergency room, according to a survey conducted by D2Hawkeye Inc., a Waltham, Mass., medical data analytics firm, on behalf of The Wall Street Journal.
In a survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners last month, 22% of 686 consumers said that economy-related woes were causing them to go to the doctor less often. About 11% said they've scaled back on prescription drugs to save money. Some of the areas being hit include hip and knee replacements, mammograms, and visits to the emergency room, according to a survey conducted by D2Hawkeye Inc., a Waltham, Mass., medical data analytics firm, on behalf of The Wall Street Journal.
Labels: bailout, consumer protection, health care, Wall Street
Monday, September 22, 2008
Customer demands increase as airlines ask for more money
· 9/22/2008 02:35:00 AM ET · Link
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Imagine that. Customers have the nerve to ask the airline industry for more after being slammed with higher costs, charges for everything including water and two bailouts since 2001. American consumers really are rude that way. Why can't they be happy with their cramped seat, $5 water and surly service? Everyone ought to be more accommodating to our precious airline industry, especially since they're going to ask for a bailout, while Washington is handing out money like candy on Halloween.
Labels: airlines, business, consumer protection
Friday, August 01, 2008
California judge forbids cell phone "early termination fees"
· 8/01/2008 06:02:00 PM ET · Link
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What? A judge wants to give consumers a break and limit the excessive powers of the telecom industry? Watch out now, this may lead to the type of consumer-oriented business that made America, America. Consumers are only responsible for 70% of the US economy so it's not like they deserve special treatment.
In a preliminary ruling Monday, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Bonnie Sabraw said Sprint Nextel must pay California mobile-phone consumers $18.2 million as part of a class-action lawsuit challenging early termination fees.
Though the decision could be appealed, it's the first in the country to declare the fees illegal in a state and could affect other similar lawsuits, with broad implications for the nation's fast-growing legions of cell phone users.
The judge - who is overseeing several other suits against telecommunications companies that involve similar fees - also told the company to stop trying to collect $54.7 million from other customers who haven't yet paid the charges they were assessed. The suit said about 2 million Californians were assessed the fee.
Though the decision could be appealed, it's the first in the country to declare the fees illegal in a state and could affect other similar lawsuits, with broad implications for the nation's fast-growing legions of cell phone users.
The judge - who is overseeing several other suits against telecommunications companies that involve similar fees - also told the company to stop trying to collect $54.7 million from other customers who haven't yet paid the charges they were assessed. The suit said about 2 million Californians were assessed the fee.
Labels: business, consumer protection, phone companies
Thursday, July 31, 2008
New Fanken-food is creepier than ever
· 7/31/2008 11:23:00 PM ET · Link
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Shouldn't consumers have a right to know more about nano-foods before they're just rolled out without clear identification? Maybe it's safe, maybe it's not, but it just seems even creepier than cloned meat to me. Consumers overwhelmingly reject cloned meat when asked and I suspect if they were properly educated on nano-food, they would feel the same. I'm not sure comparing nano-food to asbestos (as there is at the end of the article) is what I want to hear for products already in the market.
Consumer advocates taking part in a food safety conference in Orlando, Florida, this week said food produced by using nanotechnology is quietly coming onto the market, and they want U.S. authorities to force manufacturers to identify them.
Nanotechnology involves the design and manipulation of materials on molecular scales, smaller than the width of a human hair and invisible to the naked eye. Companies using nanotechnology say it can enhance the flavor or nutritional effectiveness of food.
U.S. health officials generally prefer not to place warning labels on products unless there are clear reasons for caution or concern. But consumer advocates say uncertainty over health consequences alone is sufficient cause to justify identifying nano-foods.
Prefer not to place warning labels unless there are clear reasons for caution? If there's been a hearty debate on the issue in public circles, maybe, but this has been a pretty quiet rollout, so maybe there ought to be labels and let consumers decide.
Nanotechnology involves the design and manipulation of materials on molecular scales, smaller than the width of a human hair and invisible to the naked eye. Companies using nanotechnology say it can enhance the flavor or nutritional effectiveness of food.
U.S. health officials generally prefer not to place warning labels on products unless there are clear reasons for caution or concern. But consumer advocates say uncertainty over health consequences alone is sufficient cause to justify identifying nano-foods.
Labels: consumer protection, FDA, food
Delta Air does it again - mileage fliers to get shafted
· 7/31/2008 08:23:00 PM ET · Link
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This is a company that would much rather prefer not having customers and quite frankly, they should just go for it. The management team is doing its best to alienate customers and we're all familiar with their surly service both on the ground and in the sky. Their latest move is targeting frequent fliers, as in the people who keep the airline in business. Delta wants to make trading in air miles even more difficult, if not impossible.
If Delta is committed to kicking their customers, fine, but don't complain and ask for another $15 billion handout. Try working for business like everyone else, which means offering customer service. The only other industry that I've ever seen treat people so poorly is cable TV (I'm lookin' at you Comcast) and I quit giving them my business years ago. Delta needs to throw in the towel and give it up. Just like PanAm, Eastern and the others, they won't be missed. We'll all survive.
Labels: airlines, bailout, consumer protection
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
White House supports toxins in baby toys
· 7/29/2008 04:26:00 AM ET · Link
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Incredible. As they always do, Bush and the Republicans stand side by side with the chemical industry and, of course Big Oil, who continue to claim that toxins in baby toys is fine. Do they ever stop propping up these corporations, ever? Now that McCain is receiving so much lobbyist money from Big Oil, we know he's not going to change these policies.
Congressional negotiators agreed Monday to a ban on a family of toxins found in children's products, handing a major victory to parents and health experts who have been clamoring for the government to remove harmful chemicals from toys.
The ban, which would take effect in six months, would have significant implications for U.S. consumers, whose homes are filled with hundreds of plastic products designed for children that may be causing dangerous health effects.
The rare action by Congress reflects a growing body of scientific research showing that children ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on a rubber duck. Used for decades in plastic production, the chemicals are now thought to act as hormones and cause reproductive problems, especially in boys.
The ban, which would take effect in six months, would have significant implications for U.S. consumers, whose homes are filled with hundreds of plastic products designed for children that may be causing dangerous health effects.
The rare action by Congress reflects a growing body of scientific research showing that children ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on a rubber duck. Used for decades in plastic production, the chemicals are now thought to act as hormones and cause reproductive problems, especially in boys.
Labels: Bush administration, business, consumer protection, oil
Monday, July 28, 2008
Inflation to start increasing, even more
· 7/28/2008 03:28:00 AM ET · Link
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If you thought that the rising food and energy costs were bad, just wait for the next round. Many retailers and restaurants have held off on passing on inflation but those days are nearing an end. With all of the basic food costs going up, McCain is going to need a larger cheat sheet to keep track of prices. Perhaps Phil Gramm can give him the answers on the fly the way Lieberman does for Iraq. Now that's leadership.
Most inflation this year has come from food and fuel, as retailers resisted passing along to strapped consumers the higher prices manufacturers charged them, but coming increases from companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Hasbro Inc. may leave them with no choice.
"While these increases have not for the most part been passed on at the retail level, it is inevitable that they will be at some point," said Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. "Car dealers and other retailers cannot continue to absorb rising costs at the wholesale level and not pass some of these increases on to consumers."
Sherwin Williams Co. on July 17 announced its third price increase in eight months. The company has been having "difficult discussions" with retailers, Chris Connor, chairman and CEO, said on its quarterly conference call.
The price increases are "well supported with facts in terms of why the company needs them," he said. "Our customers, to the best of their ability, are passing them on."
"While these increases have not for the most part been passed on at the retail level, it is inevitable that they will be at some point," said Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. "Car dealers and other retailers cannot continue to absorb rising costs at the wholesale level and not pass some of these increases on to consumers."
Sherwin Williams Co. on July 17 announced its third price increase in eight months. The company has been having "difficult discussions" with retailers, Chris Connor, chairman and CEO, said on its quarterly conference call.
The price increases are "well supported with facts in terms of why the company needs them," he said. "Our customers, to the best of their ability, are passing them on."
Labels: consumer protection, inflation, Republican economy
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Qantas flight now pointing towards oxygen cylinder
· 7/27/2008 04:54:00 AM ET · Link
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Investigators still have a lot of work to do but there is a missing oxygen cylinder in the area of the large hole. Stories are also coming out about failing oxygen masks which suggests more serious safety problems for Qantas. I had one round trip flight with Qantas ten years ago and it was about as bad as the worst US airline so this is hardly a shock for me to hear about this. Also, John Howard (who was just defeated a few months ago) ran Australia much like Bush and the Republicans, meaning they let business get away with everything.
Well done by the airline crew for safely getting people to the ground in Manilla but the updates that are trickling out now are disturbing. I hate to even think about what other airlines are doing these days as they slam customers with new charges and cut back services.
Labels: airlines, australia, consumer protection
Friday, July 25, 2008
Another cell phone-cancer warning
· 7/25/2008 09:17:00 PM ET · Link
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We are not that many years into widespread cell phone use so I don't see how the previous studies can be reliable. At a minimum parents ought to be very cautious with children and then keep educating yourself on the subject. British doctors were saying something very similar only a few months ago. Just because the FDA says something, it doesn't mean much these days thanks to the GOP.
The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer.
The warning from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is contrary to numerous studies that don't find a link between cancer and cell phone use, and a public lack of worry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Herberman is basing his alarm on early unpublished data. He says it takes too long to get answers from science, and he believes that people should take action now, especially when it comes to children.
"Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn't wait for a definitive study to come out but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later," Herberman said.
The warning from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is contrary to numerous studies that don't find a link between cancer and cell phone use, and a public lack of worry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Herberman is basing his alarm on early unpublished data. He says it takes too long to get answers from science, and he believes that people should take action now, especially when it comes to children.
"Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn't wait for a definitive study to come out but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later," Herberman said.
Labels: consumer protection, FDA
Food industry bitten by their own lobbying efforts
· 7/25/2008 04:49:00 AM ET · Link
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Gosh, I didn't see that one coming. Shocked. Absolutely shocked. The Big Food industry has only themselves to blame for losing $250+ million due to food safety issues. They bought influence in Washington and the GOP, as they do, believed the entire "we can self regulate" rubbish. Well duh, it doesn't work for food nor finance nor any other industry.
One of the worst outbreaks of foodborne illness in the U.S. is teaching the food industry the truth of the adage, "Be careful what you wish for because you might get it."
The industry pressured the Bush administration years ago to limit the paperwork companies would have to keep to help U.S. health investigators quickly trace produce that sickens consumers, according to interviews and government reports reviewed by The Associated Press.
The White House also killed a plan to require the industry to maintain electronic tracking records that could be reviewed easily during a crisis to search for an outbreak's source. Companies complained the proposals were too burdensome and costly, and warned they could disrupt the availability of consumers' favorite foods.
The apparent but unintended consequences of the lobbying success: a paper record-keeping system that has slowed investigators, with estimated business losses of $250 million. So far, nearly 1,300 people in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Canada have been sickened by salmonella since April.
Investigators initially focused on tomatoes as a culprit. Now they are turning attention to jalapeno peppers.
Even still, rumors about tomato problems are still swirling. Great lobbying job folks. How'd it all work out for ya?
The industry pressured the Bush administration years ago to limit the paperwork companies would have to keep to help U.S. health investigators quickly trace produce that sickens consumers, according to interviews and government reports reviewed by The Associated Press.
The White House also killed a plan to require the industry to maintain electronic tracking records that could be reviewed easily during a crisis to search for an outbreak's source. Companies complained the proposals were too burdensome and costly, and warned they could disrupt the availability of consumers' favorite foods.
The apparent but unintended consequences of the lobbying success: a paper record-keeping system that has slowed investigators, with estimated business losses of $250 million. So far, nearly 1,300 people in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Canada have been sickened by salmonella since April.
Investigators initially focused on tomatoes as a culprit. Now they are turning attention to jalapeno peppers.
Labels: consumer protection, FDA, food, lobbyists
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
New study suggests household products may be toxic
· 7/23/2008 07:45:00 PM ET · Link
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The chemical industry is not happy because the EU is forcing them to list all chemicals and prove that they are safe rather than the US model where the government has to prove unknown (and unlisted) chemicals are dangerous. As it stands today, the burden of proof is stacked against researchers and consumer groups. The chemical industry is obviously happy with the US model which is why they are furious with the details of this new study from the University of Washington. The study claims that many household products far exceed safe levels of toxic chemicals despite what the chemical industry says.
Trouble is, you have no way of knowing it. Manufacturers of detergents, laundry sheets and air fresheners aren't required to list all of their ingredients on their labels -- or anywhere else. Laws protecting people from indoor air pollution from consumer products are limited.
When UW engineering professor Anne Steinemann analyzed of some of these popular items, she found 100 different volatile organic compounds measuring 300 parts per billion or more -- some of which can be cancerous or cause harm to respiratory, reproductive, neurological and other organ systems.
Some of the chemicals are categorized as hazardous or toxic by federal regulatory agencies. But the labels tell a different story, naming only innocuous-sounding "perfume" or "biodegradable" contents.
"Consumers are breathing these chemicals," she said. "No one is doing anything about it."
Industry representatives say that isn't so.
"Dr. Steinemann's statement is misleading and disingenuous," said Chris Cathcart, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Consumer Specialty Products Association, in a statement.
Right. Is Nathan Thurm working for these people?
When UW engineering professor Anne Steinemann analyzed of some of these popular items, she found 100 different volatile organic compounds measuring 300 parts per billion or more -- some of which can be cancerous or cause harm to respiratory, reproductive, neurological and other organ systems.
Some of the chemicals are categorized as hazardous or toxic by federal regulatory agencies. But the labels tell a different story, naming only innocuous-sounding "perfume" or "biodegradable" contents.
"Consumers are breathing these chemicals," she said. "No one is doing anything about it."
Industry representatives say that isn't so.
"Dr. Steinemann's statement is misleading and disingenuous," said Chris Cathcart, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Consumer Specialty Products Association, in a statement.
Labels: business, consumer protection
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
FDA: Jalapeño peppers at center of salmonella problem
· 7/22/2008 09:50:00 AM ET · Link
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Well, that was fast and easy. It only took 14 weeks to determine that the salmonella outbreak was probably related to jalapeno peppers from Mexico. Probably. Of course others are still saying tomatoes could also be involved. Maybe. All clear now?
Among top questions: Did the farm, packing house and distributors all use clean water? What fertilizer was used, and when? Given this distributor's small size, who else distributed contaminated supply — or could there have been cross contamination with other products?
While health officials were cautiously excited at finally finding a firm clue, lawmakers decried the probe's slow pace.
"The fact that it has taken over 14 weeks to identify the source of the contamination is simply unacceptable," said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., who is pushing for stronger requirements to help trace tainted produce. "Much like (the) tomato industry, the result is a blanket warning that will decimate the entire industry and further depress consumer confidence when only a tiny fraction of peppers may be contaminated."
While health officials were cautiously excited at finally finding a firm clue, lawmakers decried the probe's slow pace.
"The fact that it has taken over 14 weeks to identify the source of the contamination is simply unacceptable," said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., who is pushing for stronger requirements to help trace tainted produce. "Much like (the) tomato industry, the result is a blanket warning that will decimate the entire industry and further depress consumer confidence when only a tiny fraction of peppers may be contaminated."
Labels: consumer protection, FDA, food
Monday, July 21, 2008
E. coli conservatism and America's safety problems
· 7/21/2008 12:34:00 PM ET · Link
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Surprise, surprise. The radical right cuts safety budgets to the bone and Americans get sick. Letting such bad ideas become law was bad enough but allowing it to continue is even worse. For the ten millionth time, business self-regulation does not work. Americans are still expecting to receive a certain level of consumer protections but the Republicans gutted the system long ago, which is why we continue to have so many health problems:
Historian Rick Perlstein, author of "Nixonland," calls it "E. coli conservatism" -- government shrinks and shrinks until people get sick.
"Government is not the solution to our problem," President Reagan famously declared in his inaugural address in 1981. "Government is the problem."
Many conservatives have gone far beyond that. Their traditional embrace of small government has been replaced with outright disdain for it. Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, doesn't just want to shrink government. To use his words, he wants government "down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub."
Once in power, E. coli conservatives shrink government by hamstringing it. They weaken rules that protect people, slash the budgets of consumer agencies and appoint industry friends to oversight commissions. The result: Some government regulatory agencies that we trust to protect us have shrunk to insignificance or serve private industry rather than consumers.
"Government is not the solution to our problem," President Reagan famously declared in his inaugural address in 1981. "Government is the problem."
Many conservatives have gone far beyond that. Their traditional embrace of small government has been replaced with outright disdain for it. Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, doesn't just want to shrink government. To use his words, he wants government "down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub."
Once in power, E. coli conservatives shrink government by hamstringing it. They weaken rules that protect people, slash the budgets of consumer agencies and appoint industry friends to oversight commissions. The result: Some government regulatory agencies that we trust to protect us have shrunk to insignificance or serve private industry rather than consumers.
Labels: consumer protection, FDA, Republican economy
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Tomato industry loses over $100 million from salmonella scare
· 7/19/2008 08:50:00 PM ET · Link
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How'd that self-regulation work out? Tell us again about how costly regulation is for business.
The 6,000 acres of tomatoes grown on Virginia's sea-swept Eastern Shore were never implicated in the national salmonella outbreak — they were still on the vine weeks after people starting getting sick.
Still, that hasn't made much difference to tomato broker Batista Madonia III, who has seen sales and prices plummet in the wake of a salmonella outbreak that sickened people in 42 states and left the nation's tomato industry feeling woozy as well.
Since the government announced it was investigating whether tomatoes caused the outbreak that began in April, the nation's tomato industry estimates it has lost more than $100 million. Health investigators have not able to find tomatoes that contained the salmonella strain that sickened 1,220 people, and the government on Thursday lifted its salmonella warning involving tomatoes.
The move hasn't brightened the outlook of the $1.3 billion industry, and the stigma and uncertainty of the salmonella's origin are likely to add to its losses.
Still, that hasn't made much difference to tomato broker Batista Madonia III, who has seen sales and prices plummet in the wake of a salmonella outbreak that sickened people in 42 states and left the nation's tomato industry feeling woozy as well.
Since the government announced it was investigating whether tomatoes caused the outbreak that began in April, the nation's tomato industry estimates it has lost more than $100 million. Health investigators have not able to find tomatoes that contained the salmonella strain that sickened 1,220 people, and the government on Thursday lifted its salmonella warning involving tomatoes.
The move hasn't brightened the outlook of the $1.3 billion industry, and the stigma and uncertainty of the salmonella's origin are likely to add to its losses.
Labels: business, consumer protection, food, regulation
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