Why are potentially dangerous additives in America’s food?
The current Food and Drug Administration’s rules assume that foods are safe unless they’re proven to harm people. That’s the opposite of what it should be.
Consumer alerts
Get the information, tools and resources it takes to protect yourself in today’s ever-changing marketplace.
These days we all need to be smart consumers. We need access to the information and resources it takes to avoid the latest scams, stop identity thieves, spot rip offs and keep unsafe food and toxic products out of our shopping carts. PIRG’s consumer watchdog team does the research, publicizes issues through the media, produces consumer guides, and sends out consumer alerts so we all have the tools to make smart, safe, informed choices.
The Latest on Consumer alerts
FDA finally bans Red No. 3 food dye, linked to cancer
The Public Interest Network’s 2024 highlights
Updates
Warning on eye drops expands: Now 27 brands and types could cause blindness
Cybersecurity labels will help consumers choose secure smart devices
Electronic toys can collect kids’ data. Here’s what you need to know.
Featured Resources
Timeline of financial protection milestones
Milestones: Defending against data breaches
Milestones: A check on crazy credit card fees
Milestones: A consumer cop hits the financial beat
Did You Know?
In times of emergency, our researchers have found price surges of up to 166% for critical supplies like bottled water.
What We're Doing
Our guide provides tips for avoiding price-gouging and a how-to for reporting bad actors.
The Latest
Type
CFPB wants public input on big bank obstacle course to get customer service
CFPB director Rohit Chopra today announced a request for information about your experiences with your bank. “Customers of large banks should not have to run through an obstacle course to get a straight answer about their account. We are taking steps to ensure the legally enshrined right to obtain basic customer service.” Cover image via Flickr by Stevan Sheets, WWC Fall Family Fest, Some rights reserved.
CFPB finds military servicemembers harmed by credit reports & debt collectors
From the CFPB's Office of Servicemember Affairs' recent annual report: Servicemembers told the CFPB about billing inaccuracies and that debt collectors used aggressive tactics to recover allegedly unpaid medical bills. Servicemembers also reported failures by credit reporting companies in helping to resolve inaccuracies and other credit reporting issues.
Apple Launches BNPL Product: Apple Pay Later
Apple is joining the parade of competitors in the more and more crowded "Buy Now, Pay Later" space, with its version of "pay in four," called Apple Pay Later.
Buy Now, Pay Later Firms Face A Reckoning
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Buy Now, Pay Later firms that promised a "credit revolution" face a reckoning as the business model stalls in a tough economy. We are shocked, shocked.
FTC consumer chief calls industry’s false privacy choices “coercion”
Wow. The FTC's consumer chief gave a powerful speech this week that essentially said "privacy notice and choice" are not enough in a surveillance-based economy. "When we’re expecting consumers to have to choose between participating in the digital economy and protecting their privacy, we’re not giving them a choice at all – what we’re really describing is coercion." Cover image by g4||4is "Privacy. The "i" is a lock" via Flickr. Some rights reserved.
Team
Murray
Teresa
Murray
Consumer Watchdog, PIRG
Mierzwinski
Ed
Mierzwinski
Senior Director, Federal Consumer Program, PIRG
Litt
Mike
Litt
Director, Consumer Campaign, PIRG