Food & Product Safety

Current Campaigns

Toy Safety

In 2007 more than 25 million toys were recalled worldwide for high levels of lead, unsafe magnets and other health hazards. To keep children safe, CALPIRG is working to get toxic lead out of children's products, and strengthen our safety net by increasing the authority and oversight of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and allowing them to levy heavy fines against companies who break our toy safety laws. Read more.

Food Safety

Protecting the food supply is a serious job. State and local governments are often the first line of defense against threats to the food supply, as they are more nimble and able to respond to consumer concerns. To provide the safest food possible, the federal government must work with state and local governments and allow them to do what it takes to protect public health. Read more.

How You Can Help

Tell NAM to support CPSC reforms

Now that the CPSC bill passed the Senate by a resounding 79-13 vote, all that’s left is for the House and Senate to negotiate their two bills so that they can send a final law to the president. However, the National Association of Manufacturers, which includes toy companies and others that make products regulated by the CPSC, continues its opposition to passage of the best parts of both bills and may try to delay or even kill the reforms.

Click here to email the National Association of Manufacturers and ask them to support the strongest possible CPSC reforms.

Overview

The food we eat and the products we use shouldn’t cause us undue harm.

Unfortunately, however, consumers still find e. coli in our spinach, lead in children’s jewelry, and cancer-causing toxics in baby books and toys. We’re working to uphold our state’s current food safety protections, and to ban toxics in children’s products through legislation at the state and federal level.

Over the last twenty years, CALPIRG’s annual toy safety survey has led to the recall of more than 100 unsafe children’s toys. California’s landmark food labeling law, Prop 65, gives consumers information about toxics like mercury in food products and other avenues of exposure.

Last year CALPIRG’s Washington D.C. advocates successfully stopped efforts by the food industry to overturn California’s strong food safety labeling laws. As a result, California consumers continue to be notified when food contains chemicals, like mercury, that could cause bodily harm. Above, CALPIRG's Steve Blackledge discusses consumer protections with Rep. Bob Filner (CA-51)

ISSUES

Food & Product Safety

Current Campaigns

Toy Safety

Food Safety

How You Can Help

Tell NAM to support CPSC reforms

Overview

News

Scrambled, Over Easy or Contaminated? 8/18/2010

New Study: Chemical Insecurity 8/05/2010

Historic Wall Street Reform Passes Senate: Landmark Bill Awaits President’s Signature 7/15/2010

Reports

24th Annual Trouble in Toyland 11/24/2009

Trouble In Toyland: The 23rd Annual Toy Safety Survey 11/25/2008

Total Recall 7/23/2008

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