Consumer Protection
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"Recent problems with toxic chemicals in toys and food have made it clear that our nation’s consumer safety system has been dangerously neglected and is in need of repair."
— Congressman Bart Gordon
Consumers should have the confidence of knowing that the products they buy are safe and going to work properly. As things stand, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) both have been falling short of meeting this goal. Between 2006 and 2008, there were more than 1,100 separate recalls of consumer products such as appliances, clothing, and children's goods, accounting for more than 1.5 billion individual items.
Guaranteeing Food and Drug Safety
Over the last few decades, imports of food, prescription drugs, and other consumer products have increased, while inspection resources have dwindled. Since 1972, for example, the FDA’s inspection of food has decreased by 90 percent. In the 110th Congress, I was an original sponsor of the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (press release), which was signed into law on September 27, 2007. The legislation requires the FDA to better communicate with the public during human and pet food recalls. I am also working with my colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to draft comprehensive legislation that would provide the FDA with the needed authority and resources to ensure the safety of domestic and imported food, drugs and cosmetic products (draft legislation).
Protecting Children from Unsafe Toys
In 2008, 20 million toys manufactured in China were recalled because they were dangerous to children. Some contained nearly 200 times the legal amount of lead. I have long been dedicated to protecting children and making certain that the toys they play with are safe. I was an original supporter of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (press release), which was signed into law on August 14, 2008. The legislation bans lead and phthalates in toys, requires toys and infant products be tested before they are sold, and provides the CPSC with greater resources to ensure the products Americans buy are safe.
Unwanted Solicitations and Identity Theft
97% of Americans surveyed said that they dislike unsolicited telemarketing calls. From the Do Not Call Act to the CAN-SPAM Act, I have long supported legislation to give consumers the right to say no to unsolicited offers and to protect themselves from identity theft and other scams.
- • To stop receiving credit card offers and other mail solicitations call 1-888-5-OPTOUT
(567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. - • To put prevent telemarketers from calling you, register your phone number on the
National Do Not Call List by calling 1-888-3821-222 or visiting www.donotcall.gov. - • To further ensure that telemarketers don't call, I encourage you to put your phone number
on the Tennessee Do Not Call List by calling 1-877-872-7030 or
visiting http://tn.gov/tra/donotcall/nocall.html. - • To reduce the amount of unsolicited commercial emails and junk mail you receive,
visit www.dmachoice.org/EMPS. - • To get a free copy of your credit report visit www.ftc.gov/freereports.
