Bill would force tobacco companies to disclose ingredients

From ConsumerAffairs.com

For the first time, the U.S. tobacco companies may soon come under the jurisdiction of health regulators. The Senate Thursday approved a measure giving the Food and Drug Administration responsibility for regulating the companies that make tobacco products.

The House has already passed a similar measure. After reviewing the Senate version, it is expected to give final approval to the measure and send it to President Obama, up until recently, a smoker himself.

Health advocates have pushed for such a measure for years. Under the bill passed by Congress, tobacco companies would have to disclose the ingredients in cigarettes.

Though the tobacco industry has resisted such a move every time it’s been brought up, the bill destined to become law is far from controversial. It easily passed the Senate in a bipartisan 79-17 vote.

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~Sandy G.

New study documents how BPA-related fertility defect can occur

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.Com

The body of evidence against the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, appears to be growing.

The chemical, found in a wide range of household items, including beverage and food containers, is believed to to cause a fertility defect in the mother’s offspring in animal studies, and now researchers say they have found how the defect occurs.

Exposure during pregnancy to the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, found in many common plastic household items, is known. The results of the new study will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society’s 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

The study, funded partly by the National Institutes of Health, joins a growing body of animal research showing the toxic health effects of BPA, including reproductive and developmental problems. Last August the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found BPA to be safe as currently used but later said more research on its safety is needed.

BPA is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic, such as for baby bottles, refillable water bottles and food containers, as well as to make the linings of metal food cans. BPA has estrogen-like properties and in pregnant animals has been linked to female infertility.

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~Sandy G.

Suit claims non-existent, expired profiles are fraudulent

By Jon Hood, ConsumerAffairs.com

A New York man has filed a class action lawsuit against popular dating site Match.com, claiming that the site deceives subscribers by showing them photos and profiles of non-paying members who can’t respond to romantic advances.

Match.com allows anyone to create a profile for free, but in order to read or respond to messages, or contact potential partners, customers must sign up for a subscription with the website.

Sean McGinn, of Brooklyn, NY, alleges that this practice caused him “humiliation and disappointment” when he tried to contact non-subscribing members and never heard back from them. McGinn apparently took this to mean that his efforts had failed, when in fact his romantic interests were unable to read, let alone reply to, his messages without subscribing or re-activating an expired account. (Match.com doesn’t delete profiles of members who have canceled their accounts or let them expire, further defrauding bachelors like McGinn.)

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~Sandy G.

Agency warns against hand sanitizers, skin protectants

From ConsumerAffairs.com

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use any skin sanitizers and skin protectants made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah.

The company is recalling products marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of disease-causing bacteria found in the product during a recent inspection.

The FDA says consumers should not use any Clarcon products and should throw these products away. Sanitizer and skin protectant products revealed high levels of various bacteria, including some associated with unsanitary conditions.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Legislation would pay for trading in old gas-guzzlers 

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com

The House of Representatives has voted to a pass legislation that would pay consumers up to $4500 for trading in old gas-guzzlers for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The measure, designed to both spur auto sales and reduce U.S. fuel consumption, now goes to the Senate. If passed, President Obama is expected to sign it.

Under the so-called “cash for clunkers” bill, a consumer is rewarded for trading in cars that average 18 miles per gallon or less on the combined city/highway cycle. If they purchase a new vehicle that gets an extra four miles per gallon or more, they would receive a voucher for $3,500. If they purchase a new vehicle that gets 10 miles per gallon or more than their “clunker,” the value of the voucher goes up to $4500.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

From ConsumerAffairs.com

Every day we add hundreds of new consumer complaints and comments to our site. And each day sees the addition of companies and products that haven’t previously appeared in our Rogues Gallery. Here are today’s newcomers:

• Bargain Network
• Bristol West Insurance
• Proactiv
• Hitt Music Group
• Super Suppers
• Waggin Train Treats
• Nokia
• Telus
• Fluidity
• Progress Energy Florida

We want to hear from you. If you’ve had a problem — or a pleasant experience — with a company, product or service, please let us know, using our secure complaint form.

~Sandy G.

Blair Recalls Women’s Robes Again After Deaths

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~Sandy G.