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Data breach epidemic plaguing businesses, consumers
NCL launches new publication to monitor, analyze
In early October, news broke: America’s
Thrift Stores, a chain that pays out more
than $4 million to its non-profit partners
annually, had been hacked. Those who
shopped during the month of September
with a credit or debit card may have had
their information compromised.
The breach, along with the seemingly
endless string of other breaches like it,
are the reason why NCL’s #DataInsecurity
Project is needed now more than ever. For
more than a year, the Project has called on
Congress and the Obama Administration
to adopt comprehensive data security
protections. In 2014, NCL published new
research, hosted several events, and took
the Project on the road to raise awareness
about the need for critical reforms.
This summer, NCL launched The
#DataInsecurity Digest, a bi-weekly email
newsletter written by NCL’s Vice President
of Public Policy, Telecommunications,
and Fraud John Breyault, who gathers
the latest data breach news and
provides analysis and commentary.
Since its launch, the Digest has seen an
unfortunately very active period in the
world of breaches, with Hilton, Scottrade,
and Trump Hotels attacks making
headlines. A major breach at Experian
compromised data on credit check partner
T-Mobile, exposing records of 15 million
customers.InAugust,theextramaritalaffair
site AshleyMadison.com was hacked, with
subscriber data made public, underscoring
the significant harm—not only financial—
for consumers when sensitive data are
leaked.
“Unfortunately, many of the data security
and breach notification bills proposed in
Congress rely on financial harm to trigger
notification,” wrote Breyault in a recent
edition of the Digest. “The Ashley Madison
leak, despite its questionable customer
base, illustrates that these breaches pose
serious threats beyond financial. Broader
definitions of ‘harm’ should be included in
any data security legislation that Congress
considers.”
On the legislative front this fall, NCL
opposedtheCyberInformationSharingAct
(CISA), a bill designed to make it easier for
companiestosharecyberthreatinformation
with law enforcement agencies. NCL joined
with other consumer and privacy groups
in oppposing CISA, fearing it would make
it easier for intelligence agencies, such as
the National Security Agency, to broaden
surveillance of Americans’ online activities.
A laudable goal but a flawed solution,
advocates were disappointed when the bill
passed the Senate.
In October, Breyault briefed staffers at
the U.S. Department of Energy as part of
National Cyber Security Awareness Month,
focusing on the link between breaches and
identity fraud and offering tips for helping
affected consumers reduce their risk.
“After a data breach, businesses suffer
from bad press, lost consumer confidence,
and—frequently—legal liability. What
is less publicized is the impact that data
breaches have on the consumer victims
who face identity fraud,” said Breyault.
“Consumers suffer real consequences when
data breaches occur.”
To become a #DataInsecurity Digest
subscriber, visit nclnet.org/subscribe_
digest.
BULLETINWinter 2015 | Volume 77 | Number 2
Letter from Sally Greenberg	 page 2
2015Trumpeter Awards	 page 3
Alcohol nutrition labeling milestone	 page 4
#KelleyOn10	 page 5
LifeSmarts Nationals highlights	 page 6
Medication adherence conference	 page 8
Deceptive airline/hotel fees	 page 9
Extra virgin olive oil mislabeling	 page 10
Food safety rules	 page 11
Volume 77 | Number 2 | Winter 2015
InsideThis Issue
Newfor2016:NCLwilllaunchanall-newFraud.org
with an updated interface, better user experience,
and new features including resources for protecting
personal data and coping with data breaches. Stay
tuned for news on the upgraded site launch, and
sign up to receive monthly Fraud Alerts at fraud.org.
NCL Vice President of Public Policy,
Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault
with data security writer Brian Krebs at a
#DataInsecurity Project event.
NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2
Page 2 Page 3
A message from NCL’s executive director
Dear Readers,
In the coming year, we will be listening to
presidential candidates and their ideas for
addressing cybersecurity breaches that
threaten consumers’ financial data and
peace of mind. In October, Sen. Bernie
Sanders (I-VT) joined organizations like
NCL and other privacy advocates by
opposing the Cybersecurity Information
Sharing Act of 2015, a well-intentioned
but fatally flawed bill that would result in
rapid, expansive sharing of data between
corporations and government agencies
without the safeguards necessary for
protecting consumer privacy.
Some candidates have made reckless
statements about vaccines, making the
long disproven and dangerous claim that
vaccinating children causes autism; in
the first Republican presidential debate,
Donald Trump claimed to know a “perfectly
healthy” child who went for his or her
vaccinations and developed autism as a
result. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)—a doctor
—asserted that parents should not be
required to vaccinate their children in order
to attend public school. How disconcerting
to hear this coming from such high-profile
public figures!
2015 was an exciting year for NCL! We
hosted the 42nd Trumpeter Awards,
our annual gala to celebrate consumer
and worker advocates. We honored the
Honorable Edith Ramirez, Chairwoman
of the Federal Trade Commission, and
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for their
outstanding careers. These awardees
shared the stage with María Elena Durazo,
International Union Vice President for
Civil Rights, Diversity and Immigration
with UNITE HERE!, who received the
Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership
Award, named for NCL’s first leader and
a Progressive Era reformer. Check out
our photo spread for highlights from the
evening on page 3.
As we prepare for the challenges that
lie ahead, we are inspired by stories
from people who are touched by our
organization’s work. We love to hear from
consumers who avoid scams after reading
our monthly fraud alerts; from LifeSmarts
alumni who attribute their career success
in part to the knowledge gained through
our program as teens; about progress in the
fight against child labor in American fields;
about our medication safety materials used
in nursing homes and senior centers across
the country.
One emerging issue is protecting the
monthly annuity, or structured settlement,
of the disabled meant to take care of their
living expenses—many of whom, for
example, have suffered cognitive deficits
due to lead poisoning from the paint in
their homes. In 2016 and beyond, we
will fight the unscrupulous players that
persuade these citizens to sign away
lifetime annuities in exchange for a small
lump sum, often leaving them destitute and
forced to live on public assistance.
Please enjoy the articles in this issue of
the NCL Bulletin. And stay connected
with us via our website (nclnet.org),
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn
channels. With your help and support,
we can continue our efforts to protect the
interests of consumers and workers in 2016.
Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2016!
Sally Greenberg speaking on Capitol Hill at a press conference to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership
trade agreement in June before U.S. Senators and House members and other advocacy groups.
2015Trumpeter Awards honors three remarkable women
Klobuchar, Ramirez, Durazo celebrated for advocacy work
NCL celebrated the 42nd annual Trumpeter Awards in October,
gathering leaders from nonprofit organizations, industry, and
government to honor outstanding leaders in consumer and worker
advocacy and celebrate the year’s accomplishments.
1. The Honorable Edith Ramirez, Federal Trade Commission
Chairwoman, is presented the first of two 2015 Trumpeter
Awards by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who himself
received the award in 2008, honored for being Connecticut’s
tough, pro-consumer Attorney General. With Ramirez at the
helm, the FTC has filed more than 150 law enforcement actions
and obtained millions of dollars in redress for hundreds of
thousands of consumers. NCL recognized Ramirez’s commitment
to consumer protection, particularly for low-income Americans.
2. (From left to right) Sally Greenberg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-
MN), and the Honorable Mignon Clyburn, FCC Commissioner,
pose after Clyburn, a 2013 Trumpeter recipient, presented the
award to Klobuchar. The first female senator from Minnesota,
Klobuchar was honored for making consumer product safety
legislation a priority, keeping foreign toxic products off our shores
and out of our stores, and pushing cell phone companies to enact
more consumer-friendly policies.
3. Trumpeter attendees had the chance to learn about NCL’s
flagship education and advocacy programs at exhibits featured in
the pre-dinner reception.
4. This year’s Trumpeter event was among the most exciting—and
best-attended—events in NCL history, with nearly 500 guests and
an impressive lineup of speakers, including local TV consumer
reporter Jennifer Donelan, who returned to serve as Master of
Ceremonies.
5. María Elena Durazo, the 2015 Florence Kelley Consumer
Leadership Award recipient, poses with NCL Board Member
Pastor Herrera, Jr. Durazo, International Union Vice President
for Civil Rights, Diversity and Immigration with UNITE HERE!,
received the honor for her fierce advocacy on behalf of workers.
1
2
3
4
5
Sally Greenberg
NCL Executive Director
NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2
Page 4 Page 5
Child Labor Coalition hosts Nepalese
anti-trafficking activist
Anecdotes shed light on struggles to fight child trafficking in South Asia
In October, the Child Labor Coalition
(CLC), which NCL co-founded and
coordinates, welcomed anti-trafficking
activist Nanimaya Thapa to a meeting in
Washington, DC. Thapa leads Gramin
Mahila Srijansil Parivar (GMSP), an
organization in the Sindhupalchok district
of Nepal, whose mission is to put an end to
slavery and trafficking.
GMSP works with communities and local
government to develop safe, trafficking-free
zones. Staff create and distribute posters,
organize an essay contest, broadcast radio
appeals, and conduct other outreach to
fight the epidemic.
In April, Nepal suffered a powerful
earthquake that damaged the GMSP office
building (where many staff lived) and
destroyed 90 percent of local homes. Many
staff lost family members and loved ones.
In the face of devastation and hopelessness,
however,thededicatedGMSPstaffreturned
to work just two days later.
According to Thapa, the GMSP anticipated
traffickers would pose as relief workers
promising to bring children to temporary
housing and classrooms. Parents would
think their children were being taken to
safety, when in fact they would be sold into
domestic servitude.
The GMSP formed a counter-attack,
training its frontline relief workers and
sending them to villages to distribute
materials and warn them of the risks.
When the GMSP staff discovered that six
children were newly missing, they worked
with the community and local police to
find and rescue the children, who were, in
fact, found in domestic child slavery and
reintegrated into society.
“We learn from the people,” Thapa said.
“We need to protect the people, especially
the children. The children are the most
vulnerable.”
First alcohol beverage‘Serving Facts’label introduced
NCL cheers progress in nutrition labeling
For decades, NCL, Consumer Federation
of America, and Shape Up America! have
advocated for a Serving Facts label on
alcoholic beverages. With spirits-maker
Diageo’s announcement this fall that its
Crown Royal whiskey will start to carry
such a label, advocates are welcoming the
move and asking other industry players to
do the same.
“We have waited a long time for this
day,” said NCL Executive Director Sally
Greenberg. “Now is the time for all
manufacturers of beer, wine, and spirits to
follow suit and start providing consumers
with the information they need to help
them to drink responsibly.”
In 2003, more than 70 organizations
petitioned for such labeling on alcohol
products, calling for labeling on alcohol
content per serving and number of servings
per container, as well as nutritional
data. Ultimately the federal government
allowed—but did not require—Serving
Facts labels for the beverages.
“For the sake of good health, for weight
management, and for the sake of safe
driving, consumers need this information
to make the responsible choice the easy
choice,” said Shape Up America! President
and CEO Dr. Barbara Moore.
In other alcohol-related advocacy news, in
2015 NCL partnered with the American
Medical Women’s Association to update a
popular brochure aimed at female college
students on the dangers of binge drinking.
For copies of “Think Before You Drink,”
contact NCL’s Publications Manager
Theresa Smith at theresas@nclnet.org.
CLC Coordinator Reid Maki with leader of GMSP
Nanimaya Thapa at the Free the Slaves office.
#KelleyOn10
NCL campaigns to put Florence Kelley on the new $10 bill
This summer, the Secretary of the Treasury
Jack Lew announced that the newly re-
designed $10 bill, slated for 2020, will
feature the face of a woman to honor
the centennial anniversary of the 19th
Amendment, which granted women the
right to vote. Lew said he will choose a
woman who “has played a major role in
our history who represents the theme of
democracy.”
NCL’s vote is
for Florence
Kelley, one of the
organization’s
earliest leaders
and a champion
for equal rights and consumer protections
who fought her whole life for democracy.
Though she is not as well known as some
others, these ten points below say it all:
Influence
Justice Felix Frankfurter said about
Florence Kelley: she “had probably the
largest single share in shaping the social
history of the United States during the first
30 years of the 20th Century.”
Workers’rights
The daughter of William D. Kelley, a co-
founder of the Republican Party in 1859
and a U.S. Congressman from Philadelphia,
1860-1890, she was a charismatic speaker
who convinced her contemporaries
that women and children needed labor
protections at a time when unions would not
represent them.
Pioneer
After graduating from Cornell University
in 1882, and obtaining a law degree from
Northwestern University in 1893, she co-
founded NCL in 1898 and led the League
until her death in 1932.
Progressive leadership
She fostered the creation of 64 local
consumers’ leagues across the country
and promoted a social justice agenda
that was adopted by the women’s suffrage
movement and other progressive
movements nationwide.
Ending child labor
From 1898 to 1932, she was the leading
American champion of eradicating child
labor.
40-hour work week
Kelley promoted the enactment of
state wage and hours laws for women,
which created the foundation for the
40-hour week and
minimum wage law
incorporated within
the federal Fair
Labor Standards Act
(FLSA) in 1938.
Universal health care
She led the campaign for enactment of the
first federal health care bill, the Welfare
and Hygiene of Maternity and Infancy Act,
more commonly known as the Sheppard-
Towner Act of 1921.
NAACP leadership
In 1909 she helped organize the NAACP
and served on the association’s board for
two decades. In a 1926 letter, she wrote:
“I think there should be a written pledge
from every hotel that there will be no
race discrimination. Certainly I should
not dream of staying in any hotel which
refused to my fellow members either bed
or board.”
Women’s suffrage
Kelley was a prominent leader in the
battle for women’s suffrage, served as
Vice President of the National American
Woman Suffrage Association in 1902, and
in 1920 co-founded the League of Women
Voters.
Consumer safety
She advocated for the Pure Food and
Drugs Act and Meat Inspection Act of
1906, pioneering consumer protection laws
that laid the groundwork for the creation
of the Food and Drug Administration and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food
Safety and Inspection Service.
Working on the development of
the #KelleyOn10 campaign was
one of my favorite projects from
my first few months at NCL. Tying
NCL’s accomplishments with our
mission today and sharing it via
social media was fun and gave me a
chance to really dive in. I learned so
much about the progressive era in
the US and Kelley’s work to shape
the organization—and American
history—and enjoyed advocating for
Kelley to appear on the new $10 bill.
My role at NCL is to work closely
alongside our Vice President of
Communications, Carol McKay,
write and edit materials such as
press releases, newsletters, our
web and print publications, and
staff blog posts. A big part of the
communications department’s job is to
support program staff with whatever
they need. I’m also responsible
for managing and monitoring our
multiple social media channels
and responding to media inquires.
NCL’s unique reach into multiple
fields such as data security, consumer
protection, workers’ rights, child labor,
and more inspired me to be a part of
it. Organizations such as NCL do so
much work behind the scenes to make
sure products on the market are safe
and companies are held accountable.
It is remarkable to get to see that work
first-hand.
Joined NCL staff: May 2015
Hometown: Herndon, VA
Meet NCL’s new
Communications
Associate
Cindy Hoang
NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2
Page 6 Page 7
Kelsey Becker (ND) (pictured
on page 7) and
Matthew Lamontagne (RI)
2015 Students of the Year
Bill Wilcox and Joan Kinney
Wisconsin
Co-Coordinators of the Year
Jennifer Bearchell
Arizona
Coach of the Year
Did you know...
LifeSmarts reaches 125,000 teens a year
online and in classrooms nationwide.
More than three million consumer literacy
questions are answered every program year.
LifeSmarts is active in 42 states and the
District of Columbia.
Pre- and post- tests of students who
participate in LifeSmarts show an increase in
scores from a C to a B+/A- average!
Twenty-two LifeSmarts
seasons and counting
Preparing the next generation
of savvy consumers, workers
This September marked the official launch of LifeSmarts’ 22nd
season, with a new competition going live at LifeSmarts.org.
“In 2015 and beyond, we are excited to continue to grow the
LifeSmarts program into new states and regions, to educate
students about financial literacy and being responsible
consumers, and to create a new generation of smart, market-ready
consumers and workers,” said Sally Greenberg, executive
director of NCL. “Too often traditional high school curriculum
fails to teach students vital information that will be crucial once
students go to college, get their first job, or move out of their
parents’ house.”
This program year, NCL will continue to build upon partnerships
with student leadership programs FBLA and FCCLA, which
enable LifeSmarts content to reach a broader audience of
teenagers across the country.
In recent months, LifeSmarts launched an Alumni Association, a
network for LifeSmarts participants and students involved with
the program, including volunteers, community leaders, state
coordinators, and coaches. NCL is currently working to grow the
group via LinkedIn, monthly member outreach, and in-person
networking opportunities. The Alumni Association also offers
exclusive internship and scholarship opportunities.
This spring, teens from across the nation traveled to Seattle, WA,
to compete at the 21st annual National LifeSmarts Championship,
where the team from Paxon School for Advanced Studies in
Jacksonville, FL, coached by Kathy Loggie, was crowned the 2015
national LifeSmarts champion. In a historically tight final match
against the second-place team from Rhode Island’s Barrington
High School, the returning champs from Florida (who claimed
the national title in 2013 as well) outplayed their opponents in an
exciting end to the four-day competition. The final score of the nail-
biting championship match was determined by only two points.
Teams from Honolulu, HI, and Fenton, MI placed third among the
teams competing from 34 states, the District of Columbia, and two
student organizations, Family, Career, and Community Leaders
of America (FCCLA) and Future Business Leaders of America
(FBLA).
LifeSmarts is NCL’s consumer literacy program that gives young
people the 21st Century skills needed to become successful adults.
LifeSmarts offers students a chance to travel, make friends from
across the country, and compete for scholarships and other prizes
while developing leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.
LifeSmarts also provides resources for educators to supplement
lesson plans with consumer literacy content that has faded from
many classrooms in recent years. Educators say LifeSmarts fosters
excitement in the classroom, presents an opportunity to work with
students at a rigorous level, and challenges students.
The 2016 National LifeSmarts Championship will take place
in Denver, CO in April. Each year, LifeSmarts awards nearly 50
students scholarship money.
LifeSmarts is helping save lives
Kelsey Becker was driving in a heavy rainstorm when her car
hydroplaned. Few teens would have known what to do in this
perilous situation. Instead of panicking, Becker remembered what
she had learned while studying for LifeSmarts: to take her foot off
of the accelerator, steer to an open area, and stay calm. She was able
to safely avoid a serious accident that day.
“LifeSmarts has really taught me important knowledge that is
applicable to everyday life. It helps me and others know what to do.
The safety aspect of the program can even save lives,” said Becker.
This 2015 Student of the Year has been involved with LifeSmarts
since her freshman year of high school and, remarkably, made it to
the national LifeSmarts competition each year.
Becker,whowasteamcaptainherjuniorandsenioryears,organized
fundraising events, scheduled and led practices, communicated
with local media to promote the LifeSmarts program, and even
coordinated the UL-sponsored Safety Smart programs with local
elementary school classrooms. It is no wonder that under Becker’s
leadership, the Jamestown High School’s LifeSmarts team is North
Dakota’s state champion.
On what kept her motivated, Becker said, “I really loved the
information and the people
that I got to interact with. If
you want a chance to learn
very useful information that
will help you and others
throughout your life, then
you should definitely join
LifeSmarts. On top of that,
it’s so much fun.” Becker
has taken the knowledge
that she has gained through
LifeSmarts with her to MIT,
where she enrolled as a
freshman this fall.
Student of the Year Kelsey Becker
(center), with LifeSmarts Outreach
Coordinator Seth Woods and Program
Director Lisa Hertzberg.
2015 special LifeSmarts honors
2015 National LifeSmarts
Championship takes
Seattle by storm
NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2
Page 8 Page 9
NCL calls on DOT to address deceptive airline, hotel fees
Travelers are all too familiar with fees:
baggage fees, cancellation fees, priority
boarding fees, resort fees. The list goes
on. Fees have become a profit center for
the travel industry and are responsible for
turning the airline industry’s profits around.
Unfortunately, airline and hotel fees are
often neither “fair” nor “transparent.”
That’s the message that NCL took to the
Department of Transportation (DOT)
for Aviation Consumer Protection this
summer. In presentations before an
advisory committee, NCL Vice President
of Public Policy, Telecommunications,
and Fraud John Breyault argued that the
current disclosure practices of cancellation/
change and hotel resort fees are inadequate
and confusing.
In 2014, cancellation/change fees (which
generally cost a customer $200 on average)
brought in nearly $3 billion for the airlines.
These fees tend to exploit unavoidable
misfortune: people cancel a trip because a
family member got injured or sick, a work
meeting is cancelled, or weather prevents
travel.
NCL is calling for reforms that would
eliminate fees for changes more than 5 to
10 days before the
scheduled travel and
for airlines to refund
cancellation/change
fees if they are able
to resell vacated seats
other passengers.
Air travel isn’t the
only source of
egregious fees. Once
consumers arrive at
their destination, they
often face another
pernicious charge:
mandatory hotel
resort fees. These fees
are typically tacked
on to the advertised
room rate and
charged when a consumer checks out. Last
year, hotels made more than $2.25 billion
from mandatory fees and surcharges tacked
on at checkout. Hotels justify the fee as a
way to cover the costs of amenities like
Wi-Fi, fitness centers, in-room coffee, and
other perks. (See graphic.)
“These fees are unfair, especially since they
are charged regardless whether a consumer
actually uses any of these services,” said
Breyault. “Nor are these mandatory fees
included in the advertised room rate, which
results in consumers thinking they’re
getting a room for one cost, only to find that
they will be charged significantly more.”
NCL has urged the DOT to require
airlines and online travel agents to include
mandatory hotel resort fees in published
rates to allow consumers to accurately
compare costs.
FCC task force helping consumers shop smarter
for broadband
Have you shopped for broadband service
lately? If you have, chances are that you’ve
been faced with dozens, if not hundreds, of
options. Do you want broadband for your
home or while you’re on the go? How much
data do you need? Will the carrier you’re
considering monitor your use to later offer
you ads? For many consumers, the choices
can be overwhelming.
Earlier this year, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
adopted a historic Open Internet Order
that, for the first time, classified broadband
service as an essential public utility. A
less-publicized part of the Order was
a transparency requirement to help
consumers more easily shop for broadband
service. The FCC charged its Consumer
Advisory Committee (which NCL chairs)
with producing a sample disclosure format
for comparing broadband services. NCL
has participated in nearly two dozen task
force meetings with FCC staff, broadband
providers, and advocates to develop that
disclosure form.
“This disclosure form provides monthly
cost of fixed and mobile broadband
service, including fees. The form will let
consumers know what speeds they should
expect and provide privacy information
and network practices,” said NCL’s
John Breyault, vice president of public
policy, telecommunications, and fraud.
“Ultimately, the form will help consumers
reduce time and headaches in choosing
broadband service.”
At the end of October, the Consumer
Advisory Committee (CAC) voted
to adopt the sample form. The CAC’s
recommendation will now be reviewed by
the Commission for consideration. Should
the CAC’s recommendation be approved,
consumers will, for the first time, have a
standard, easy-to-understand form for
making an apples-to-apples comparison
between competing broadband services.
Medication adherence conference:
‘So Simple, So Hard’
“So Simple, So Hard” was the theme of a
medication adherence conference hosted
by the National Consumers League in
September in Sacramento, CA. Sponsored
by the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality (AHRQ), the speakers and
attendees explored the challenges and
barriers to medication adherence—why it
is so hard—and highlighted the tools and
strategies to make it simpler and to improve
adherence and health outcomes, especially
among underserved populations.
Medication adherence is an issue of great
interest to NCL and other health advocates;
poor adherence costs the American health
care industry an estimated $290 billion
a year; 125,000 people die due to poor
adherence. Since 2011, NCL has led Script
Your Future, a public education campaign
to increase awareness among patients,
caregivers, and health care professionals
on the importance of taking medication as
directed.
The California event drew more
than 80 health care professionals,
community health workers, advocates,
industry representatives, policymakers,
researchers, and experts on adherence, who
engaged with each other about possible
collaborations and solutions.
The meeting kicked off with presentations
on adherence research and health
disparities, and continued with a variety
of strategies and tools to improve
adherence that could be utilized in
health care practices or organizations.
“The adherence issue is complex and taking
medications is not so simple, especially for
ethnic and racial minorities who often face
health disparities,” said NCL Vice President
for Health Policy Rebecca Burkholder.
“Collaboration among stakeholders who
are dedicated to keeping the patient at the
center of the discussion is a critical first
step toward developing and implementing
effective medication adherence strategies to
help people better manage their care.”
This fall, NCL welcomed an
announcement from the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) of
its approval of the first-ever treatment
for women’s low libido. Approval of
the drug—flibanserin, which will be
sold under the name ADDYI—came
nearly four decades after the condition
of HSDD (Hypoactive Sexual Desire
Disorder), which it will treat, was first
recognized in scientific journals.
NCL and other advocates, including the
National Organization for Women, had
been calling for the FDA to consider the
treatment option because it would be
the first of its kind for women; Viagra
entered the marketplace in 1998. In
October 2014 and June 2015, NCL
Executive Director Sally Greenberg
testified in support of treatments for
patients suffering from HSDD.
“Approvalofthistherapyismonumental
for so many reasons: because it validates
and legitimizes female sexuality as
an important component of health; it
underscores the FDA’s recognition of
female sexual dysfunction as among
the top 20 unmet medical needs; and
it acknowledges that as a condition,
HSDD is not simply a psychological
problem or a reflection of cultural
pressure on women, but a biological
condition that can be treated with an
effective medication. It’s been a long
time coming, but this approval is a
welcome and landmark breakthrough
in women’s sexual health,” said
Greenberg.
Sally Greenberg speaking about Addyi on
“CBS This Morning.”
First female treatment
approved
NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2
Page 10 Page 11
When I started at NCL the FDA
was (and still is) finalizing rules for
the Food Safety Modernization Act.
I’ve learned a lot about food safety
during a pivotal time. I’ve been
able to learn how and why the bill
was developed and understand the
obstacles delaying its implementation.
I came to NCL from an organization
that works with health care providers,
so it has been interesting for me to
join an organization that supports
consumers.
We are taking a leadership role on
consumer participation in food
waste. This fall, I will also present
at a food waste conference. NCL
also has other food waste related
projects in the works...so stay tuned!
I’ve been fascinated with food and
nutrition issues for years. One of the
great things about working on food
policy issues in Washington, DC is
that everything is right here. I’ve been
lucky enough to attend meetings and
briefingsatUSDA,theEUCommission,
and Congress. These opportunities give
NCL a seat at the table and the ability to
provide the consumer perspective on
a variety of policy issues. I love being
able to meet colleagues who share my
passion and enthusiasm for food and
nutrition!
Authenticity of extra virgin olive oil
raising concerns
NCL investigates mislabeling of EVOO products
The food marketplace has come a long way
in the past century. Before Upton Sinclair
wrote The Jungle, consumers unknowingly
consumed foods contaminated with vermin
and insects and even human body parts!
Today, consumers expect to buy food that
is both safe and properly labeled. But, while
food safety has made great strides, the false
and deceptive labeling of food products is
rampant. NCL recently discovered that to be
the case with many brands of “extra virgin
olive oil” products.
In early 2015, NCL purchased 11 different
varieties of bottles labeled “extra virgin olive
oil” (EVOO) from four major Washington,
DC-area retailers. Of the 11 products tested,
six failed to meet extra virgin olive oil
standards as set by the International Olive
Council (IOC) when tested at an accredited
laboratory in Australia. Only five were
found to be extra virgin olive oil (see box).
There are several explanations why a bottle
could fail testing. Olives are a fruit whose
quality deteriorates like any other; even if
a bottle is technically EVOO when filled, it
won’t remain EVOO forever. Other oils may
be deliberately mislabeled by unscrupulous
manufacturers.
Since NCL announced the results and shared
them with failing manufacturers, some
producers have welcomed the information.
Othershavedismissedtheresults,challenged
NCL’s findings, and continued to knowingly
sell mislabeled products.
“NCL is calling on FDA to take action on
what is rampant EVOO mislabeling in the
United States,” said NCL Executive Director
Sally Greenberg. “The FDA itself says that
olive oil offers important health benefits
and that these health benefits are found
mainly in the extra virgin grade. Consumers
are deprived of these benefits—for which
they pay a premium—when they purchase
mislabeled EVOO.
Food safety rules reflect evolving
systems and habits
In 1938, Congress passed
the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (FD&C).
Regulated by the FDA, the
law set safety standards
for the manufacturing and
distribution of food, drugs,
andcosmetics.But,ourfood
(drug and cosmetic) system
has changed dramatically
since the 1930s. Today, most
of our raw and processed
foods come from industrial
farms. The popularity of
frozen and prepackaged
foods has skyrocketed. And
imported foods account for
15 percent of the U.S. food
supply, including almost 50
percent of fresh fruit and 20
percent of fresh vegetables.
While everything from
farming practices to eating
habits has evolved since the
1930s, the FDA has followed
the same safety standards
implemented almost a
century ago. Recently, that
changed.
The Food Safety Modern-
ization Act (FSMA), which
was first enacted in 2011,
is a breakthrough for food
safety in the United States.
On Sept. 10, 2015, the final
preventive control rules for
human and animal food
were released. These rules
are a critical piece of FSMA’s
prevention-based approach
to improving food safety.
Once all rules are in effect,
the U.S. will have a food
safety oversight system
that requires producers
and processors to take
preemptive action against
the growth and spread of
pathogens.
“NCL has long been
involved in food safety.
Currently, the House and
Senate appropriations
bills for the 2016 fiscal
year do not meet funding
needs,” said Ali Schklair,
NCL food safety and
nutrition fellow. “The Food
Safety Modernization
Act has the potential to
overhaul our current
food safety regulatory
system, which will lead to
less food contamination
and foodborne illnesses.
However, without sufficient
funding, we could be stuck
with the same antiquated
system for another 80
years.”
A focus on prevention
reflects how food policy
and public health
frameworks have shifted in
America. Instead of relying
on reactive interventions,
today, health initiatives
look at identifying and
preventing hazards before
they reach the public.
Prevention strategies are
used to address public
health problems like the flu,
obesity, lung cancer, and
now foodborne illness.
Concerning study reveals child work persisting in cocoa production
In July, a Tulane University study on cocoa production in West Africa surprised and
disturbed members of the Child Labor Coalition (CLC). The study, commissioned by
the U.S. Department of Labor, found an estimated 2.12 million child laborers working in
hazardous cocoa production in the 2013-2014 harvest season in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana—
disappointing news given efforts to reduce child labor in West Africa for the past 15 years.
The study found one piece of welcome news: school attendance has increased in both
countries. The number of children working in cocoa and attending school rose in Cote
d’Ivoire from 59 percent to 71 percent and in Ghana from 91 percent to 96 percent. Later
this year, the CLC will meet to shape plans for reacting to the report.
“The study suggests that current approaches are not working,” said Reid Maki, NCL’s
director of child labor issues and coordinator of the CLC. “Child labor on remote West
African cocoa plantations is a difficult challenge, but an important one. We will need to
fight for more resources and new strategies.”
Joined NCL staff: September 2015
Hometown: Cape Elizabeth, ME
Making the grade
•	 California Olive Ranch
“Extra Virgin Olive Oil”
•	 Colavita“Extra Virgin
Olive Oil”
•	 Trader Joe’s“ Extra Virgin
California Estate Olive Oil”
•	 Trader Joe’s“100% Italian
Organic Extra Virgin
Olive Oil”
•	 Lucini“Premium Select
Extra Virgin Olive Oil”
What can consumers do?
Remember, buying oil in tins or
dark bottles does not guarantee
that the product is pure
EVOO and the USDA Organic
label is also no indication of
authenticity.
Buying extra virgin olive oil
with confidence in the U.S.
can be a challenge.
Consumers should:
•	 Choose brands that
consistently pass testing.
•	 Check for“best by”dates,
or—even better—harvest
dates.
•	 Avoid buying oils in clear
glass bottles or from the
top shelf, which could be
more likely to be degraded.
NCL’s investigation story broke on “The Dr. Oz Show” in May.
Meet NCL’s new Linda
Golodner Food Safety
and Nutrition Fellow
Ali Schklair
1701 K Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington DC 20006
Telephone: 202-835-3323
Fax: 202-835-0747
Please visit us online at nclnet.org.
NCL Board Officers
Chair - Ron Collins
Honorary Chair - Esther Shapiro
Vice Chair - Cleo Manuel Stamatos
Secretary - Debra Berlyn
Treasurer- Susan K. Weinstock
Counsel - Jack Blum
NCL Staff
John Breyault, Rebecca Burkholder, Sally Greenberg,
Lisa Hertzberg, Cindy Hoang, Terry Kush, Reid
Maki, Carol McKay, Rashaud Nixon, James Perry,
Sebastian Ramirez, Ali Schklair, Theresa Smith, Amy
Sonderman, Seth Woods
NCL Bulletin is published by the National Consumers
League. (ISSN 1055-923X)
Mail comments to:
NCL, 1701 K Street, NW, Ste. 1200
Washington, DC 20006
Or call 202-835-3323, fax 202-835-0747,
or email comments@nclnet.org.
Copyright 2015 by National Consumers League. NCL
should be credited for all material. All rights reserved.
The National Consumers League is a private,
nonprofit organization. NCL’s mission is to protect
and promote social and economic justice for
consumers and workers in the United States and
abroad.
Partner with us!
Join the hundreds of organizations that work with NCL through programs,
coalitions, and creative campaigns to educate and advocate on behalf of consumers
and workers.
•	 Join the 130+ Committed Partners of NCL’s Script Your Future campaign,
an exciting multi-media initiative designed to raise awareness about the
importance of medication adherence for patients with chronic diseases.
•	 Help us build a new generation of savvy consumers by joining our LifeSmarts
Advisory Board, which draws from technology, financial services, health care,
credit scoring, telecommunications industries, and more.
•	 Become a member of the Alliance Against Fraud, a coalition of government,
law enforcement, labor, consumer advocacy, and businesses that share the goal
of fighting Internet and telemarketing fraud.
•	 Join NCL’s Health Advisory Council, a diverse group of partners that share
perspectives and insights to lay a foundation of support for NCL’s work in health.
•	 Fight against exploitative child labor by joining NCL’s Child Labor Coalition, a
network of more than two dozen groups charged to influence public policy on
child labor issues.
To learn more contact Amy Sonderman, vice president,
strategic alliances and development, at (202) 297-2829 or
amys@nclnet.org.
Donate!

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National Consumers League Bulletin | Winter 2015

  • 1. Data breach epidemic plaguing businesses, consumers NCL launches new publication to monitor, analyze In early October, news broke: America’s Thrift Stores, a chain that pays out more than $4 million to its non-profit partners annually, had been hacked. Those who shopped during the month of September with a credit or debit card may have had their information compromised. The breach, along with the seemingly endless string of other breaches like it, are the reason why NCL’s #DataInsecurity Project is needed now more than ever. For more than a year, the Project has called on Congress and the Obama Administration to adopt comprehensive data security protections. In 2014, NCL published new research, hosted several events, and took the Project on the road to raise awareness about the need for critical reforms. This summer, NCL launched The #DataInsecurity Digest, a bi-weekly email newsletter written by NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault, who gathers the latest data breach news and provides analysis and commentary. Since its launch, the Digest has seen an unfortunately very active period in the world of breaches, with Hilton, Scottrade, and Trump Hotels attacks making headlines. A major breach at Experian compromised data on credit check partner T-Mobile, exposing records of 15 million customers.InAugust,theextramaritalaffair site AshleyMadison.com was hacked, with subscriber data made public, underscoring the significant harm—not only financial— for consumers when sensitive data are leaked. “Unfortunately, many of the data security and breach notification bills proposed in Congress rely on financial harm to trigger notification,” wrote Breyault in a recent edition of the Digest. “The Ashley Madison leak, despite its questionable customer base, illustrates that these breaches pose serious threats beyond financial. Broader definitions of ‘harm’ should be included in any data security legislation that Congress considers.” On the legislative front this fall, NCL opposedtheCyberInformationSharingAct (CISA), a bill designed to make it easier for companiestosharecyberthreatinformation with law enforcement agencies. NCL joined with other consumer and privacy groups in oppposing CISA, fearing it would make it easier for intelligence agencies, such as the National Security Agency, to broaden surveillance of Americans’ online activities. A laudable goal but a flawed solution, advocates were disappointed when the bill passed the Senate. In October, Breyault briefed staffers at the U.S. Department of Energy as part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, focusing on the link between breaches and identity fraud and offering tips for helping affected consumers reduce their risk. “After a data breach, businesses suffer from bad press, lost consumer confidence, and—frequently—legal liability. What is less publicized is the impact that data breaches have on the consumer victims who face identity fraud,” said Breyault. “Consumers suffer real consequences when data breaches occur.” To become a #DataInsecurity Digest subscriber, visit nclnet.org/subscribe_ digest. BULLETINWinter 2015 | Volume 77 | Number 2 Letter from Sally Greenberg page 2 2015Trumpeter Awards page 3 Alcohol nutrition labeling milestone page 4 #KelleyOn10 page 5 LifeSmarts Nationals highlights page 6 Medication adherence conference page 8 Deceptive airline/hotel fees page 9 Extra virgin olive oil mislabeling page 10 Food safety rules page 11 Volume 77 | Number 2 | Winter 2015 InsideThis Issue Newfor2016:NCLwilllaunchanall-newFraud.org with an updated interface, better user experience, and new features including resources for protecting personal data and coping with data breaches. Stay tuned for news on the upgraded site launch, and sign up to receive monthly Fraud Alerts at fraud.org. NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault with data security writer Brian Krebs at a #DataInsecurity Project event.
  • 2. NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2 Page 2 Page 3 A message from NCL’s executive director Dear Readers, In the coming year, we will be listening to presidential candidates and their ideas for addressing cybersecurity breaches that threaten consumers’ financial data and peace of mind. In October, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joined organizations like NCL and other privacy advocates by opposing the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, a well-intentioned but fatally flawed bill that would result in rapid, expansive sharing of data between corporations and government agencies without the safeguards necessary for protecting consumer privacy. Some candidates have made reckless statements about vaccines, making the long disproven and dangerous claim that vaccinating children causes autism; in the first Republican presidential debate, Donald Trump claimed to know a “perfectly healthy” child who went for his or her vaccinations and developed autism as a result. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)—a doctor —asserted that parents should not be required to vaccinate their children in order to attend public school. How disconcerting to hear this coming from such high-profile public figures! 2015 was an exciting year for NCL! We hosted the 42nd Trumpeter Awards, our annual gala to celebrate consumer and worker advocates. We honored the Honorable Edith Ramirez, Chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for their outstanding careers. These awardees shared the stage with María Elena Durazo, International Union Vice President for Civil Rights, Diversity and Immigration with UNITE HERE!, who received the Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership Award, named for NCL’s first leader and a Progressive Era reformer. Check out our photo spread for highlights from the evening on page 3. As we prepare for the challenges that lie ahead, we are inspired by stories from people who are touched by our organization’s work. We love to hear from consumers who avoid scams after reading our monthly fraud alerts; from LifeSmarts alumni who attribute their career success in part to the knowledge gained through our program as teens; about progress in the fight against child labor in American fields; about our medication safety materials used in nursing homes and senior centers across the country. One emerging issue is protecting the monthly annuity, or structured settlement, of the disabled meant to take care of their living expenses—many of whom, for example, have suffered cognitive deficits due to lead poisoning from the paint in their homes. In 2016 and beyond, we will fight the unscrupulous players that persuade these citizens to sign away lifetime annuities in exchange for a small lump sum, often leaving them destitute and forced to live on public assistance. Please enjoy the articles in this issue of the NCL Bulletin. And stay connected with us via our website (nclnet.org), Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn channels. With your help and support, we can continue our efforts to protect the interests of consumers and workers in 2016. Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2016! Sally Greenberg speaking on Capitol Hill at a press conference to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement in June before U.S. Senators and House members and other advocacy groups. 2015Trumpeter Awards honors three remarkable women Klobuchar, Ramirez, Durazo celebrated for advocacy work NCL celebrated the 42nd annual Trumpeter Awards in October, gathering leaders from nonprofit organizations, industry, and government to honor outstanding leaders in consumer and worker advocacy and celebrate the year’s accomplishments. 1. The Honorable Edith Ramirez, Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman, is presented the first of two 2015 Trumpeter Awards by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who himself received the award in 2008, honored for being Connecticut’s tough, pro-consumer Attorney General. With Ramirez at the helm, the FTC has filed more than 150 law enforcement actions and obtained millions of dollars in redress for hundreds of thousands of consumers. NCL recognized Ramirez’s commitment to consumer protection, particularly for low-income Americans. 2. (From left to right) Sally Greenberg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D- MN), and the Honorable Mignon Clyburn, FCC Commissioner, pose after Clyburn, a 2013 Trumpeter recipient, presented the award to Klobuchar. The first female senator from Minnesota, Klobuchar was honored for making consumer product safety legislation a priority, keeping foreign toxic products off our shores and out of our stores, and pushing cell phone companies to enact more consumer-friendly policies. 3. Trumpeter attendees had the chance to learn about NCL’s flagship education and advocacy programs at exhibits featured in the pre-dinner reception. 4. This year’s Trumpeter event was among the most exciting—and best-attended—events in NCL history, with nearly 500 guests and an impressive lineup of speakers, including local TV consumer reporter Jennifer Donelan, who returned to serve as Master of Ceremonies. 5. María Elena Durazo, the 2015 Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership Award recipient, poses with NCL Board Member Pastor Herrera, Jr. Durazo, International Union Vice President for Civil Rights, Diversity and Immigration with UNITE HERE!, received the honor for her fierce advocacy on behalf of workers. 1 2 3 4 5 Sally Greenberg NCL Executive Director
  • 3. NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2 Page 4 Page 5 Child Labor Coalition hosts Nepalese anti-trafficking activist Anecdotes shed light on struggles to fight child trafficking in South Asia In October, the Child Labor Coalition (CLC), which NCL co-founded and coordinates, welcomed anti-trafficking activist Nanimaya Thapa to a meeting in Washington, DC. Thapa leads Gramin Mahila Srijansil Parivar (GMSP), an organization in the Sindhupalchok district of Nepal, whose mission is to put an end to slavery and trafficking. GMSP works with communities and local government to develop safe, trafficking-free zones. Staff create and distribute posters, organize an essay contest, broadcast radio appeals, and conduct other outreach to fight the epidemic. In April, Nepal suffered a powerful earthquake that damaged the GMSP office building (where many staff lived) and destroyed 90 percent of local homes. Many staff lost family members and loved ones. In the face of devastation and hopelessness, however,thededicatedGMSPstaffreturned to work just two days later. According to Thapa, the GMSP anticipated traffickers would pose as relief workers promising to bring children to temporary housing and classrooms. Parents would think their children were being taken to safety, when in fact they would be sold into domestic servitude. The GMSP formed a counter-attack, training its frontline relief workers and sending them to villages to distribute materials and warn them of the risks. When the GMSP staff discovered that six children were newly missing, they worked with the community and local police to find and rescue the children, who were, in fact, found in domestic child slavery and reintegrated into society. “We learn from the people,” Thapa said. “We need to protect the people, especially the children. The children are the most vulnerable.” First alcohol beverage‘Serving Facts’label introduced NCL cheers progress in nutrition labeling For decades, NCL, Consumer Federation of America, and Shape Up America! have advocated for a Serving Facts label on alcoholic beverages. With spirits-maker Diageo’s announcement this fall that its Crown Royal whiskey will start to carry such a label, advocates are welcoming the move and asking other industry players to do the same. “We have waited a long time for this day,” said NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “Now is the time for all manufacturers of beer, wine, and spirits to follow suit and start providing consumers with the information they need to help them to drink responsibly.” In 2003, more than 70 organizations petitioned for such labeling on alcohol products, calling for labeling on alcohol content per serving and number of servings per container, as well as nutritional data. Ultimately the federal government allowed—but did not require—Serving Facts labels for the beverages. “For the sake of good health, for weight management, and for the sake of safe driving, consumers need this information to make the responsible choice the easy choice,” said Shape Up America! President and CEO Dr. Barbara Moore. In other alcohol-related advocacy news, in 2015 NCL partnered with the American Medical Women’s Association to update a popular brochure aimed at female college students on the dangers of binge drinking. For copies of “Think Before You Drink,” contact NCL’s Publications Manager Theresa Smith at theresas@nclnet.org. CLC Coordinator Reid Maki with leader of GMSP Nanimaya Thapa at the Free the Slaves office. #KelleyOn10 NCL campaigns to put Florence Kelley on the new $10 bill This summer, the Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew announced that the newly re- designed $10 bill, slated for 2020, will feature the face of a woman to honor the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Lew said he will choose a woman who “has played a major role in our history who represents the theme of democracy.” NCL’s vote is for Florence Kelley, one of the organization’s earliest leaders and a champion for equal rights and consumer protections who fought her whole life for democracy. Though she is not as well known as some others, these ten points below say it all: Influence Justice Felix Frankfurter said about Florence Kelley: she “had probably the largest single share in shaping the social history of the United States during the first 30 years of the 20th Century.” Workers’rights The daughter of William D. Kelley, a co- founder of the Republican Party in 1859 and a U.S. Congressman from Philadelphia, 1860-1890, she was a charismatic speaker who convinced her contemporaries that women and children needed labor protections at a time when unions would not represent them. Pioneer After graduating from Cornell University in 1882, and obtaining a law degree from Northwestern University in 1893, she co- founded NCL in 1898 and led the League until her death in 1932. Progressive leadership She fostered the creation of 64 local consumers’ leagues across the country and promoted a social justice agenda that was adopted by the women’s suffrage movement and other progressive movements nationwide. Ending child labor From 1898 to 1932, she was the leading American champion of eradicating child labor. 40-hour work week Kelley promoted the enactment of state wage and hours laws for women, which created the foundation for the 40-hour week and minimum wage law incorporated within the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in 1938. Universal health care She led the campaign for enactment of the first federal health care bill, the Welfare and Hygiene of Maternity and Infancy Act, more commonly known as the Sheppard- Towner Act of 1921. NAACP leadership In 1909 she helped organize the NAACP and served on the association’s board for two decades. In a 1926 letter, she wrote: “I think there should be a written pledge from every hotel that there will be no race discrimination. Certainly I should not dream of staying in any hotel which refused to my fellow members either bed or board.” Women’s suffrage Kelley was a prominent leader in the battle for women’s suffrage, served as Vice President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1902, and in 1920 co-founded the League of Women Voters. Consumer safety She advocated for the Pure Food and Drugs Act and Meat Inspection Act of 1906, pioneering consumer protection laws that laid the groundwork for the creation of the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. Working on the development of the #KelleyOn10 campaign was one of my favorite projects from my first few months at NCL. Tying NCL’s accomplishments with our mission today and sharing it via social media was fun and gave me a chance to really dive in. I learned so much about the progressive era in the US and Kelley’s work to shape the organization—and American history—and enjoyed advocating for Kelley to appear on the new $10 bill. My role at NCL is to work closely alongside our Vice President of Communications, Carol McKay, write and edit materials such as press releases, newsletters, our web and print publications, and staff blog posts. A big part of the communications department’s job is to support program staff with whatever they need. I’m also responsible for managing and monitoring our multiple social media channels and responding to media inquires. NCL’s unique reach into multiple fields such as data security, consumer protection, workers’ rights, child labor, and more inspired me to be a part of it. Organizations such as NCL do so much work behind the scenes to make sure products on the market are safe and companies are held accountable. It is remarkable to get to see that work first-hand. Joined NCL staff: May 2015 Hometown: Herndon, VA Meet NCL’s new Communications Associate Cindy Hoang
  • 4. NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2 Page 6 Page 7 Kelsey Becker (ND) (pictured on page 7) and Matthew Lamontagne (RI) 2015 Students of the Year Bill Wilcox and Joan Kinney Wisconsin Co-Coordinators of the Year Jennifer Bearchell Arizona Coach of the Year Did you know... LifeSmarts reaches 125,000 teens a year online and in classrooms nationwide. More than three million consumer literacy questions are answered every program year. LifeSmarts is active in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Pre- and post- tests of students who participate in LifeSmarts show an increase in scores from a C to a B+/A- average! Twenty-two LifeSmarts seasons and counting Preparing the next generation of savvy consumers, workers This September marked the official launch of LifeSmarts’ 22nd season, with a new competition going live at LifeSmarts.org. “In 2015 and beyond, we are excited to continue to grow the LifeSmarts program into new states and regions, to educate students about financial literacy and being responsible consumers, and to create a new generation of smart, market-ready consumers and workers,” said Sally Greenberg, executive director of NCL. “Too often traditional high school curriculum fails to teach students vital information that will be crucial once students go to college, get their first job, or move out of their parents’ house.” This program year, NCL will continue to build upon partnerships with student leadership programs FBLA and FCCLA, which enable LifeSmarts content to reach a broader audience of teenagers across the country. In recent months, LifeSmarts launched an Alumni Association, a network for LifeSmarts participants and students involved with the program, including volunteers, community leaders, state coordinators, and coaches. NCL is currently working to grow the group via LinkedIn, monthly member outreach, and in-person networking opportunities. The Alumni Association also offers exclusive internship and scholarship opportunities. This spring, teens from across the nation traveled to Seattle, WA, to compete at the 21st annual National LifeSmarts Championship, where the team from Paxon School for Advanced Studies in Jacksonville, FL, coached by Kathy Loggie, was crowned the 2015 national LifeSmarts champion. In a historically tight final match against the second-place team from Rhode Island’s Barrington High School, the returning champs from Florida (who claimed the national title in 2013 as well) outplayed their opponents in an exciting end to the four-day competition. The final score of the nail- biting championship match was determined by only two points. Teams from Honolulu, HI, and Fenton, MI placed third among the teams competing from 34 states, the District of Columbia, and two student organizations, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). LifeSmarts is NCL’s consumer literacy program that gives young people the 21st Century skills needed to become successful adults. LifeSmarts offers students a chance to travel, make friends from across the country, and compete for scholarships and other prizes while developing leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. LifeSmarts also provides resources for educators to supplement lesson plans with consumer literacy content that has faded from many classrooms in recent years. Educators say LifeSmarts fosters excitement in the classroom, presents an opportunity to work with students at a rigorous level, and challenges students. The 2016 National LifeSmarts Championship will take place in Denver, CO in April. Each year, LifeSmarts awards nearly 50 students scholarship money. LifeSmarts is helping save lives Kelsey Becker was driving in a heavy rainstorm when her car hydroplaned. Few teens would have known what to do in this perilous situation. Instead of panicking, Becker remembered what she had learned while studying for LifeSmarts: to take her foot off of the accelerator, steer to an open area, and stay calm. She was able to safely avoid a serious accident that day. “LifeSmarts has really taught me important knowledge that is applicable to everyday life. It helps me and others know what to do. The safety aspect of the program can even save lives,” said Becker. This 2015 Student of the Year has been involved with LifeSmarts since her freshman year of high school and, remarkably, made it to the national LifeSmarts competition each year. Becker,whowasteamcaptainherjuniorandsenioryears,organized fundraising events, scheduled and led practices, communicated with local media to promote the LifeSmarts program, and even coordinated the UL-sponsored Safety Smart programs with local elementary school classrooms. It is no wonder that under Becker’s leadership, the Jamestown High School’s LifeSmarts team is North Dakota’s state champion. On what kept her motivated, Becker said, “I really loved the information and the people that I got to interact with. If you want a chance to learn very useful information that will help you and others throughout your life, then you should definitely join LifeSmarts. On top of that, it’s so much fun.” Becker has taken the knowledge that she has gained through LifeSmarts with her to MIT, where she enrolled as a freshman this fall. Student of the Year Kelsey Becker (center), with LifeSmarts Outreach Coordinator Seth Woods and Program Director Lisa Hertzberg. 2015 special LifeSmarts honors 2015 National LifeSmarts Championship takes Seattle by storm
  • 5. NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2 Page 8 Page 9 NCL calls on DOT to address deceptive airline, hotel fees Travelers are all too familiar with fees: baggage fees, cancellation fees, priority boarding fees, resort fees. The list goes on. Fees have become a profit center for the travel industry and are responsible for turning the airline industry’s profits around. Unfortunately, airline and hotel fees are often neither “fair” nor “transparent.” That’s the message that NCL took to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for Aviation Consumer Protection this summer. In presentations before an advisory committee, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault argued that the current disclosure practices of cancellation/ change and hotel resort fees are inadequate and confusing. In 2014, cancellation/change fees (which generally cost a customer $200 on average) brought in nearly $3 billion for the airlines. These fees tend to exploit unavoidable misfortune: people cancel a trip because a family member got injured or sick, a work meeting is cancelled, or weather prevents travel. NCL is calling for reforms that would eliminate fees for changes more than 5 to 10 days before the scheduled travel and for airlines to refund cancellation/change fees if they are able to resell vacated seats other passengers. Air travel isn’t the only source of egregious fees. Once consumers arrive at their destination, they often face another pernicious charge: mandatory hotel resort fees. These fees are typically tacked on to the advertised room rate and charged when a consumer checks out. Last year, hotels made more than $2.25 billion from mandatory fees and surcharges tacked on at checkout. Hotels justify the fee as a way to cover the costs of amenities like Wi-Fi, fitness centers, in-room coffee, and other perks. (See graphic.) “These fees are unfair, especially since they are charged regardless whether a consumer actually uses any of these services,” said Breyault. “Nor are these mandatory fees included in the advertised room rate, which results in consumers thinking they’re getting a room for one cost, only to find that they will be charged significantly more.” NCL has urged the DOT to require airlines and online travel agents to include mandatory hotel resort fees in published rates to allow consumers to accurately compare costs. FCC task force helping consumers shop smarter for broadband Have you shopped for broadband service lately? If you have, chances are that you’ve been faced with dozens, if not hundreds, of options. Do you want broadband for your home or while you’re on the go? How much data do you need? Will the carrier you’re considering monitor your use to later offer you ads? For many consumers, the choices can be overwhelming. Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a historic Open Internet Order that, for the first time, classified broadband service as an essential public utility. A less-publicized part of the Order was a transparency requirement to help consumers more easily shop for broadband service. The FCC charged its Consumer Advisory Committee (which NCL chairs) with producing a sample disclosure format for comparing broadband services. NCL has participated in nearly two dozen task force meetings with FCC staff, broadband providers, and advocates to develop that disclosure form. “This disclosure form provides monthly cost of fixed and mobile broadband service, including fees. The form will let consumers know what speeds they should expect and provide privacy information and network practices,” said NCL’s John Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications, and fraud. “Ultimately, the form will help consumers reduce time and headaches in choosing broadband service.” At the end of October, the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) voted to adopt the sample form. The CAC’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the Commission for consideration. Should the CAC’s recommendation be approved, consumers will, for the first time, have a standard, easy-to-understand form for making an apples-to-apples comparison between competing broadband services. Medication adherence conference: ‘So Simple, So Hard’ “So Simple, So Hard” was the theme of a medication adherence conference hosted by the National Consumers League in September in Sacramento, CA. Sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the speakers and attendees explored the challenges and barriers to medication adherence—why it is so hard—and highlighted the tools and strategies to make it simpler and to improve adherence and health outcomes, especially among underserved populations. Medication adherence is an issue of great interest to NCL and other health advocates; poor adherence costs the American health care industry an estimated $290 billion a year; 125,000 people die due to poor adherence. Since 2011, NCL has led Script Your Future, a public education campaign to increase awareness among patients, caregivers, and health care professionals on the importance of taking medication as directed. The California event drew more than 80 health care professionals, community health workers, advocates, industry representatives, policymakers, researchers, and experts on adherence, who engaged with each other about possible collaborations and solutions. The meeting kicked off with presentations on adherence research and health disparities, and continued with a variety of strategies and tools to improve adherence that could be utilized in health care practices or organizations. “The adherence issue is complex and taking medications is not so simple, especially for ethnic and racial minorities who often face health disparities,” said NCL Vice President for Health Policy Rebecca Burkholder. “Collaboration among stakeholders who are dedicated to keeping the patient at the center of the discussion is a critical first step toward developing and implementing effective medication adherence strategies to help people better manage their care.” This fall, NCL welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of its approval of the first-ever treatment for women’s low libido. Approval of the drug—flibanserin, which will be sold under the name ADDYI—came nearly four decades after the condition of HSDD (Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder), which it will treat, was first recognized in scientific journals. NCL and other advocates, including the National Organization for Women, had been calling for the FDA to consider the treatment option because it would be the first of its kind for women; Viagra entered the marketplace in 1998. In October 2014 and June 2015, NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg testified in support of treatments for patients suffering from HSDD. “Approvalofthistherapyismonumental for so many reasons: because it validates and legitimizes female sexuality as an important component of health; it underscores the FDA’s recognition of female sexual dysfunction as among the top 20 unmet medical needs; and it acknowledges that as a condition, HSDD is not simply a psychological problem or a reflection of cultural pressure on women, but a biological condition that can be treated with an effective medication. It’s been a long time coming, but this approval is a welcome and landmark breakthrough in women’s sexual health,” said Greenberg. Sally Greenberg speaking about Addyi on “CBS This Morning.” First female treatment approved
  • 6. NCL Bulletin Volume 77 Number 2 Page 10 Page 11 When I started at NCL the FDA was (and still is) finalizing rules for the Food Safety Modernization Act. I’ve learned a lot about food safety during a pivotal time. I’ve been able to learn how and why the bill was developed and understand the obstacles delaying its implementation. I came to NCL from an organization that works with health care providers, so it has been interesting for me to join an organization that supports consumers. We are taking a leadership role on consumer participation in food waste. This fall, I will also present at a food waste conference. NCL also has other food waste related projects in the works...so stay tuned! I’ve been fascinated with food and nutrition issues for years. One of the great things about working on food policy issues in Washington, DC is that everything is right here. I’ve been lucky enough to attend meetings and briefingsatUSDA,theEUCommission, and Congress. These opportunities give NCL a seat at the table and the ability to provide the consumer perspective on a variety of policy issues. I love being able to meet colleagues who share my passion and enthusiasm for food and nutrition! Authenticity of extra virgin olive oil raising concerns NCL investigates mislabeling of EVOO products The food marketplace has come a long way in the past century. Before Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle, consumers unknowingly consumed foods contaminated with vermin and insects and even human body parts! Today, consumers expect to buy food that is both safe and properly labeled. But, while food safety has made great strides, the false and deceptive labeling of food products is rampant. NCL recently discovered that to be the case with many brands of “extra virgin olive oil” products. In early 2015, NCL purchased 11 different varieties of bottles labeled “extra virgin olive oil” (EVOO) from four major Washington, DC-area retailers. Of the 11 products tested, six failed to meet extra virgin olive oil standards as set by the International Olive Council (IOC) when tested at an accredited laboratory in Australia. Only five were found to be extra virgin olive oil (see box). There are several explanations why a bottle could fail testing. Olives are a fruit whose quality deteriorates like any other; even if a bottle is technically EVOO when filled, it won’t remain EVOO forever. Other oils may be deliberately mislabeled by unscrupulous manufacturers. Since NCL announced the results and shared them with failing manufacturers, some producers have welcomed the information. Othershavedismissedtheresults,challenged NCL’s findings, and continued to knowingly sell mislabeled products. “NCL is calling on FDA to take action on what is rampant EVOO mislabeling in the United States,” said NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “The FDA itself says that olive oil offers important health benefits and that these health benefits are found mainly in the extra virgin grade. Consumers are deprived of these benefits—for which they pay a premium—when they purchase mislabeled EVOO. Food safety rules reflect evolving systems and habits In 1938, Congress passed the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C). Regulated by the FDA, the law set safety standards for the manufacturing and distribution of food, drugs, andcosmetics.But,ourfood (drug and cosmetic) system has changed dramatically since the 1930s. Today, most of our raw and processed foods come from industrial farms. The popularity of frozen and prepackaged foods has skyrocketed. And imported foods account for 15 percent of the U.S. food supply, including almost 50 percent of fresh fruit and 20 percent of fresh vegetables. While everything from farming practices to eating habits has evolved since the 1930s, the FDA has followed the same safety standards implemented almost a century ago. Recently, that changed. The Food Safety Modern- ization Act (FSMA), which was first enacted in 2011, is a breakthrough for food safety in the United States. On Sept. 10, 2015, the final preventive control rules for human and animal food were released. These rules are a critical piece of FSMA’s prevention-based approach to improving food safety. Once all rules are in effect, the U.S. will have a food safety oversight system that requires producers and processors to take preemptive action against the growth and spread of pathogens. “NCL has long been involved in food safety. Currently, the House and Senate appropriations bills for the 2016 fiscal year do not meet funding needs,” said Ali Schklair, NCL food safety and nutrition fellow. “The Food Safety Modernization Act has the potential to overhaul our current food safety regulatory system, which will lead to less food contamination and foodborne illnesses. However, without sufficient funding, we could be stuck with the same antiquated system for another 80 years.” A focus on prevention reflects how food policy and public health frameworks have shifted in America. Instead of relying on reactive interventions, today, health initiatives look at identifying and preventing hazards before they reach the public. Prevention strategies are used to address public health problems like the flu, obesity, lung cancer, and now foodborne illness. Concerning study reveals child work persisting in cocoa production In July, a Tulane University study on cocoa production in West Africa surprised and disturbed members of the Child Labor Coalition (CLC). The study, commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor, found an estimated 2.12 million child laborers working in hazardous cocoa production in the 2013-2014 harvest season in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana— disappointing news given efforts to reduce child labor in West Africa for the past 15 years. The study found one piece of welcome news: school attendance has increased in both countries. The number of children working in cocoa and attending school rose in Cote d’Ivoire from 59 percent to 71 percent and in Ghana from 91 percent to 96 percent. Later this year, the CLC will meet to shape plans for reacting to the report. “The study suggests that current approaches are not working,” said Reid Maki, NCL’s director of child labor issues and coordinator of the CLC. “Child labor on remote West African cocoa plantations is a difficult challenge, but an important one. We will need to fight for more resources and new strategies.” Joined NCL staff: September 2015 Hometown: Cape Elizabeth, ME Making the grade • California Olive Ranch “Extra Virgin Olive Oil” • Colavita“Extra Virgin Olive Oil” • Trader Joe’s“ Extra Virgin California Estate Olive Oil” • Trader Joe’s“100% Italian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil” • Lucini“Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil” What can consumers do? Remember, buying oil in tins or dark bottles does not guarantee that the product is pure EVOO and the USDA Organic label is also no indication of authenticity. Buying extra virgin olive oil with confidence in the U.S. can be a challenge. Consumers should: • Choose brands that consistently pass testing. • Check for“best by”dates, or—even better—harvest dates. • Avoid buying oils in clear glass bottles or from the top shelf, which could be more likely to be degraded. NCL’s investigation story broke on “The Dr. Oz Show” in May. Meet NCL’s new Linda Golodner Food Safety and Nutrition Fellow Ali Schklair
  • 7. 1701 K Street NW, Suite 1200 Washington DC 20006 Telephone: 202-835-3323 Fax: 202-835-0747 Please visit us online at nclnet.org. NCL Board Officers Chair - Ron Collins Honorary Chair - Esther Shapiro Vice Chair - Cleo Manuel Stamatos Secretary - Debra Berlyn Treasurer- Susan K. Weinstock Counsel - Jack Blum NCL Staff John Breyault, Rebecca Burkholder, Sally Greenberg, Lisa Hertzberg, Cindy Hoang, Terry Kush, Reid Maki, Carol McKay, Rashaud Nixon, James Perry, Sebastian Ramirez, Ali Schklair, Theresa Smith, Amy Sonderman, Seth Woods NCL Bulletin is published by the National Consumers League. (ISSN 1055-923X) Mail comments to: NCL, 1701 K Street, NW, Ste. 1200 Washington, DC 20006 Or call 202-835-3323, fax 202-835-0747, or email comments@nclnet.org. Copyright 2015 by National Consumers League. NCL should be credited for all material. All rights reserved. The National Consumers League is a private, nonprofit organization. NCL’s mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. Partner with us! Join the hundreds of organizations that work with NCL through programs, coalitions, and creative campaigns to educate and advocate on behalf of consumers and workers. • Join the 130+ Committed Partners of NCL’s Script Your Future campaign, an exciting multi-media initiative designed to raise awareness about the importance of medication adherence for patients with chronic diseases. • Help us build a new generation of savvy consumers by joining our LifeSmarts Advisory Board, which draws from technology, financial services, health care, credit scoring, telecommunications industries, and more. • Become a member of the Alliance Against Fraud, a coalition of government, law enforcement, labor, consumer advocacy, and businesses that share the goal of fighting Internet and telemarketing fraud. • Join NCL’s Health Advisory Council, a diverse group of partners that share perspectives and insights to lay a foundation of support for NCL’s work in health. • Fight against exploitative child labor by joining NCL’s Child Labor Coalition, a network of more than two dozen groups charged to influence public policy on child labor issues. To learn more contact Amy Sonderman, vice president, strategic alliances and development, at (202) 297-2829 or amys@nclnet.org. Donate!