phil&teds USA agrees to pay $3.5 million civil penalty and implement internal compliance program for failure to report defective clip-on high chairs
September 10, 2015, CPSC Newsroom
Company settles charges that it knowingly failed to report to CPSC a defect and an unreasonable risk of serious injury concerning its high chairs, including several finger amputations. Penalty settles claim that the company knowingly made material misrepresentations to agency staff during a 2011 investigation. CPSC suspends all but $200,000 of penalty based on phil&teds USA’s  “sworn representations that the company cannot pay more than that amount without ceasing business operations.”

One by one, states are giving consumers the right to know about chemicals in products
September 10, 2015, truth out
Writer traces the increase of consumer awareness of harmful effects of some chemicals in products, driving companies concerned about their reputation to reformulate products and focus on supply chain compliance. Legislation in Washington State, California, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, and EU are cited as examples of growing trend. Major retailers and manufacturers are urging suppliers to reduce or limit chemicals of “potential concerns to human health and the environment.”

N.J. District shuts down playgrounds over safety issues
September 8, 2015, nj.com
Elementary school officials close playgrounds over concerns after inspection revealed conditions at one of the district’s schools were found to be unsafe. Report calls attention to inadequate protective surfaces, lack of wheelchair access, and unsafe wear and tear.

ICPHSO international conference set for Billund, Denark
Under theme of “Building toward greater alignment in product safety,” the Oct. 20-21 meeting of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization will include a focus on product safety in the digital economy, and technical innovation. Registration now open.

FDA Finalizes FSMA preventative controls rules for human, animal foods
September 10, 2015, Food Safety News
Final rules were submitted to the Federal Register 4 ½ years after the Food Safety Modernization Act was signed into law. Rule requires food facilities to maintain a food safety plan, perform a hazard analysis and institute preventative controls for dealing with those hazards. Facilities have to verify and document that their controls are working.

APICS SCC Study defines people and partner impact on supply chain complexity
September 1, 2015, accounting.smartpros
Latest industry report sheds insight on the intersection of supply chain and complexity theories. Effective supply chain professionals watch for potential causes of changing relationships. Capturing supply chain sentiment on a regular basis can offer early warnings of the potential and allow for communications with partners, and analysis of potential impact to supply chain performance.

Supply chain outlook summit: Re-shoring and the supply chain evolution
September 7, 2015, Modern Materials Handling
A recent Boston Consulting study shows that 54% of U.S. manufacturers with over $1 billion in revenue are considering re-shoring all or some of their manufacturing processes back on shore, with a significant effect on global procurement, logistics, trade, and manufacturing strategies. A leading authority on re-shoring discusses what this can mean to companies wanting to undertake or understand what this movement is all about.

CWDF, JD.com team up to champion child safety
September 7, 2015, Women of China
One of China’s largest online shopping malls, JD.com, has tamed up with a maternal-infant care organization to promote safety for children. The Jingdong Maternal-Infant Care Foundation will use the proceeds of a 1 million yuan gift (US $157,000) from the retailer to undertake a public education campaign promoting seat belt and child safety practices.

EU Food recalls stable in Q2 – Stericycle
September 8, 2015, Food Quality News
European food recalls and notifications increased slightly in the second quarter of 2015, according to a survey by Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS.  A study showed that 773 food recalls and notifications during the quarter involved food, feed, and food contact material.

Intellectual Property in China’s food & beverage industry
September 9, 2015, China Briefing
In the growing China food and beverage industry, demands for imported products has continued to rise due to such incidents as the “tainted milk scandal.” This also makes it important that importers and producers protect their brands through various legal rights before they inter the market. The country’s quality regulatory agency will set up monitoring points in some communities to boost quality supervision and consumer awareness.

New standard for laundry detergent laundry packet design and packaging moves forward
Sept. 4, 2015, Reuters/PRNewswire
New ASTM safety standard for labeling and packaging individually wrapped liquid detergent laundry packets is on track for final approval on Sept. 15, according to the standards group.  The new standard details packaging intended to mask the visibility of the packet and be labeled with warnings.

Van Hollen, Slaughter seek probe of lead paint deals
Sept. 1, 2015, The Baltimore Sun
Two representatives ask for Justice Department investigation into practice of companies that buy lawsuit settlements of lead-poisoning victims in Baltimore for cents on the dollars. State officials looking into businesses that swap guaranteed regular payments over years for one-time smaller payments up front.

Why more organic food means more safety recalls
Sept. 4, 2015, American Council on Science and Health
Researchers alarmed by the 700 percent increase in organic food recalls since 2013 note that it may not be simply poor control methods.  Organic food is twice as likely to be susceptible to bacterial contamination, according to a study in California. Production methods are also a factor, the research suggests.

Car seat safety study: 42% of car seats, vehicles not compatible
Sept. 1, 2015, Channel 6-ABC News, Indianapolis
Ohio State researchers analyzed nearly 3,600 potential combinations of car seat models and vehicles. They found many had compatibility issues that can cause children to ride in unsuitable positions, elevating the risk of injury.  One car seat expert suggests  “try before you buy” approach.

Takata airbag recall likely to be smaller than projected
Sept. 2, 2015, The Detroit Bureau
Regulators who initially estimated that 34 million driver and passenger side airbags needing to be recalled have sharply reduced this number by about 40%. The reduced count is due to the large number of vehicles with the airbags that were sold outside of the U.S., and some vehicles were counted twice reflecting both driver and passenger side airbags. NHTSA now estimates the affected population to be 23.4 million airbags used in 19.2 million vehicles.

Throwing caution to the winds: CEO stock option pay may increase product safety problems
August 31, 2015, Notre Dame
A team of business school researchers found that an incentive tool used by many boards of directors encourage CEOs to take higher risk initiatives. Study’s lead author says there is a “positive relationship between the proportion of CEP pay consisting of stock options measured over two years, and the occurrence of product recall in the subsequent years.”

Blue Bell back on shelves, can it win back consumer trust?
Sept. 2, 2015, Food Product Design
After a 4 month hiatus due to Listeria outbreak that resulted in 20 people being hospitalized and three deaths in Kansas, Blue Bell Creameries began restocking grocery freezers with ice cream. But a food editor says that the fact that Blue Bell knew of Listeria contamination in 2013, but failed to contact federal authorities is a “major hurdle to overcome” in rebuilding public trust.

Supply chain compliance: how to ease the pain of third-party assessments
Sept. 1, 2015, Continuity Central
Compliance demands are becoming more stringent and complex, as many businesses are called upon to assess their part suppliers, as well as be ready to be assessed themselves.  One business consultant suggests a team approach be developed to respond to inquiries and that a data base of compliance evidence be maintained for quick use when required.

JPMA announces September is baby safety month
Sept. 1, 2015, SFGate
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association hopes to help educate parents and caregivers on safeguarding against hidden hazards in homes. They cite furniture tip-overs as a leading cause for injury to young children as well as risks posed by other hazards outlined at a consumer-focused website: babsafetyzone.org.

Auto recalls expected to rise through 2016, yet few have product safety and recall analytics programs
Sept. 1, 2015, PRNewswire
Only 8% of auto executives say they use advanced predictive analytics to help prevent, prepare for or manage product recalls, although over 42% of those surveyed expect more industry recalls in 2015 and 2016, a Deloitte on line poll shows. Over 90% of those surveyed report that working relationships between suppliers and OEMs are impacted by recalls.

CPSC FY2015 Civil Penalty Average rises to $2.65 Million
August 24, 2015, Product Safety Letter
Eight settlements FY2015 have totaled $21 million versus five settlements in FY2014 totaling $7.175 or an average of $1.435 million according to an analysis by the Product Safety Letter. The CPSIA in 2008 raised the CPSC civil penalty cap to $15 million from $1.825 million.

States pressed to increase efforts to reduce drownings
August 26, 2015, Huffington Post
African Americans continue to die from drowning at higher rates than whites. Accidental drowning is second leading cause of death for U.S. children under age 5, after birth defects. Minnesota studies free swim lessons. Washington State considering life preservers.

Why firms should have more safety measures in place to combat product recalls
August 28, 2015, pcr-online
A technology writer notes that tech companies are on an upward trend since 2003 for recalls issued by the EU’s RAPEX system. Citing a recent recall index published by Stericycle, the EU’s warning system posted 1,158 recalls during the 2nd quarter, with significant drops in the consumer and automotive sectors.

Carwash chemicals a hazard to workers, state agency warns
August 22, 2015, Seattle Times
Hydrofluoric acid, commonly used at car and truck washes, can cause serious burns to exposed skin, according to new research cited by Washington State Labor Dept.

Vehicle recalls: risks loom for auto parts makers
August 22, 2015, The Hindu
Rise in vehicle recalls in India may impact parts maker’s profitability, according to a rating agency. Vehicle makers may turn to Tier 1 suppliers for directly attributable costs in liability cases.

FSSAI Scraps existing approvals process; move leaves industry confused
August 28, 2015, The Economic Times
India’s food regulator, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India, has done away with the process of product approvals in line with recent Supreme Court decisions and now plans to reintroduce the procedures through regulators. The Courts recent decision makes it “no longer possible” FSSAI says, to continue with the process of approvals that has been in place since 2013, based on the original law passed in 2006.

ACCC: Court hands down decision in hair straightening product case
August 28, 2015, 4-Traders
The Full court of the Federal Court of Australia agreed with an appeal by the country’s product safety regulator that it overturn a Justice’s decision that dismissed allegations against an importer that had made claims that a hair straightener product it sold did not contain formaldehyde and that it was safe for consumer use.

Cisco to open Latin America supply chain operations-engineering center in Guadalajara
August 27, 2015, Financial
New center will support company’s supply chain operation in Latin America and locally, where contract manufacturers have increased manufacturing in the region over 20% in last 12 months.

Supply Chain Outlook Summit: The economy in 2016 and beyond
August 24, 2015, Modern Materials Handling
Economist sees an improving economy over next 24 months, with forward thinking firms expanding their capabilities. Stresses need to have right levels of qualified labor, working capital, and equipment to manage growth and profitability.

Johnson Health Tech Agrees to Pay $3 Million Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Defective Fitness Equipment
August 14, 2015, Reuters/PRNewswire
Wisconsin firm failed to report to CPSC a defect and unreasonable risk of serious injury with its Matrix Fitness Ascent and Elliptical Trainers, which were recalled in January 2014. Johnson Health agrees to maintain a compliance program with written standards, policies and procedures to ensure the firm’s compliance with CPSIA, including reports and complaints, are conveyed to the firm’s responsible employees, whether an injury is referenced or not. Company does not admit to CPSC staff’s charges.

Retailers Applaud CPSC for Incorporating Industry Input and Urge Continued Collaboration
August 12, 2015, RILA News Release
Retailers applaud CPSC action and willingness to work constructively with industry to achieve “our shared product safety goals.”  Urges further actions. The statement issued by the Retail Industry Leaders Association follows a decision by the CPSC to approve a pilot that will require importers to electronically file five data elements for imported consumer products that will “enable the CPSC to enhance its import surveillance efforts and allow it to more accurately target noncompliant and unsafe consumer products prior to importation.”

The Prudence of Quality and Safety Analytics
August 14, 2015, The Wall Street Journal-CIO Journal
As the number of high-profile consumer product recalls skyrocket, companies are under increasing pressure to detect and respond to product quality and safety issues. Some companies respond through the leverage of advanced analytics capabilities to proactively identify quality and safety issues that might lead to a service campaign or product recall that threatens the brand’s reputation and, more importantly, human lives.

Major Flaws Found in NSW Fair Trading’s Product Safety & Recall Procedures
August 16, 2015, The Sidney Morning Herald
Audit of Australia State’s consumer watchdog by Deloitte finds impaired relationship with police, and faulty processes leading to delays, confusions, and cases falling between crack. Agency adopted all 9 recommendations in report and promises improvement.

Playground Battles: Can Safety and Adventure Co-Exist Where Children Play?
August 13, 2015, New York Observer
Nearly 35 years after the CPSC published its first set of guidelines, parents are still fighting over the appropriate balance of safety on the playground. Even in New York City, one park’s pending renovation has created exceptional rancor-one year of fighting over a single concrete step.

UL Testing Safety, Privacy Issues Related to Wearable Devices
August 13, 2015, Claims Journal
With so many questions relating to wearable device safety, Underwriters Laboratories is diving into the wearable technology area. Electrical and fire safety, long known as UL provinces, are just two of the issue that could arise from the increasingly popular devices.

The Next Revolution in Supply Chain Management
August 12, 2015, Forbes
Analyst traces supply chain developments over past 20 years and sees a new revolution based on a new generation of supply chain “control towers.”  The ability to manage elements in the supply chain  can support enhanced risk management capabilities and quick corrective actions,  aided by a new generation of powerful IT applications that can increase preparedness for unforeseen events.

Temperature Control: The Ongoing Quest in the Food Supply Chain
August 14, 2015, Food Logistics
Change in the field of temperature control is being driven by FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA),  as well as the expansion of the supply chain across that globe.  Moving product greater distances brings with it the potential for lapses in temperature control.

There are 2,500  Product Recalls Annually. How Can Your Company Prepare For It?
August, 2015, Business.net
One of the biggest challenges that companies might face is the possibility of a product recall. Here is a primer that might be useful for companies wanting to better understand some of the basic steps to take in the event they face implementing a recall.

 WORD MATTERS AND TIP-OVERS*:
     *Shifting CPSC Recall Landscape? Agency Announces Major “Repair Program” that is not Labeled a “Recall”
July 23, 2015, The National Law Review
A recent announcement of a “repair program” by IKEA and the CPSC addresses the serious hazard of furniture tip-overs. What is significant about this action, according to a team of regulatory attorneys, is that it touches the core of an argument in the regulatory environment: “not every voluntary corrective action must or should be called a ‘recall’.”

    *‘Recall or Repair’?  Advocates Question IKEA Action
July 31, 2015, Philadelphia Inquirer
The word choice of “repair” rather than “recall” to describe the recent announcement by IKEA and the CPSC has riled safety advocates and former regulators who say the  decision goes beyond semantics. “The word repair does not convey the hazard and  the potential tragedy,” according to a former CPSC executive director.

    *Home Furniture Accidents Kill One Australia Child and Injure Hundreds More Each Year
August 1, 2015, news.com.au
Research in Australia shows that 1 in 4 parents of young children surveyed by the ACCC had experienced a falling furniture incident. A recent retail location inspection of 10 different sites by a safety consultant showed that only IKEA supplied anchor kits with chests and bookcases.

Appliance Manufacturer LG Agrees to $1.825M Maximum Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Defective Dehumidifiers
July 22, 2015, CPSC
Fire caused by the defective products resulted in millions of dollars in property damage, while creating a  “defect and an unreasonable risk of serious injury with several models.”  Occurrences were reported starting in 2003, leading to maximum civil penalty in effect at that time, prior to new penalty levels introduced by CPSIA in 2008. By the time products were recalled in 2012, there were 107 incidents reported.

Consumer Protection Bill Cleared
July 30, 2015, Business Standard
A new bill in India proposes to set up a regulatory authority having powers to recall products and initiate class action suits against defaulting companies, including e–tailers in this, the world’s largest, democracy.

ACCC to Master Builders: “We’re not responsible for building product regulation.”
July 31, 2015, Architecture & Design
The head of ACCC clarifies in an industry speech that while the safety agency encourages safety-based procurement practices, concerns about non-compliant products should be directed at specialist regulators.

Developing a Product Liability Program
July 30, 2015, Quality Digest
Companies may hold design reviews, but there’s much more to building a product liability program, according to one authority in the field.

Supply Chain in the 21^st Century
July 28, 2015, I-Connect007
The shift away from vertical integration has pushed the topic of supply chain to the forefront of strategic planning for manufacturers. While supply chains have been around for thousands of years, only recently have companies ‘been concerned with what was happening in their own “sandbox.” A lack of understanding has sometimes led to dysfunctional supply chains threatening quality and deliveries.

How FDA Trans Fat Ban Threatens the U.S. Food Supply Chain
July 28, 2015, Food Logistics
The agency’s ban on partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) as a health risk to humans, can affect the entire supply chain of manufacturers, according to one attorney.  Compliance requirements may result in the need to renegotiate contracts, face increase costs of verification of compliance, as well as understand the risk issues associated with violations of the FDA rules caused by one or more suppliers.

IKEA Launches Safety Awareness Campaign Following Dresser Tip-over Deaths
July 23, 2015, The Philadelphia Inquirer/The Star
Announcement at CPSC website calls campaign “a repair program that includes a free wall anchoring kit, for their MALM 3- and 4-drawer chests and two styles of MALM 6- drawer chests, and other chests and dressers.  The chests and dressers can pose a tip-over hazard if not securely anchored to the wall.”.  The company states that its products are extensively tested and its dressers are safe when “permanently attached to the wall, in accordance with the warnings and instructions.”

Fiat Chrysler’s Anti-Hacking Recall Sets an Industry Milestone
July 24, 2015, The Washington Post
Unauthorized remote access to certain vehicle systems was blocked with a network-level improvement, the company said in a statement. In addition, affected customers will receive a USB device to upgrade vehicles’ software with internal safety features. NHTSA official: “Launching a recall is the right step to protect Fiat Chrysler’s customers, and it sets an important precedent for how NHTSA and the industry will respond to cybersecurity vulnerabilities,”

House Votes To Ban States From Labeling GMO Foods
July 23, 2015, The Huffington Post
Measure would ban states such as Vermont, Maine and Connecticut, which have passed GMO-labeling laws, from putting them into practice. House bill would set up a voluntary program for companies that want to disclose genetically modified ingredients. Firms that want to claim their food is GMO-free would have to submit to a certification process overseen by the Department of Agriculture.

Product Safety in Europe
July 19, 2015, The Times of Malta
Prosafe, the Product Safety Enforcement Forum of Europe, has launched its biggest joint action ever. In the coming two years, 35 market surveillance authorities from 27 EU member states or EFTA countries will cooperate to target non-compliant products in five categories: safety barriers, LED and CFL lighting, noisy toys, fireworks and power tools.

Over 29,810 Products Inspected for Safety in Abu Dhabi
July 15, 2015, Gulf News
Authority inspects controlled products and legal measuring instruments.during the four-month-long campaign that commenced early this year. The initiative targeted a mix of consumer products such as children’s toys, household electrical appliances, new and retreaded tires and household electrical appliances.

SB763 Threatens the Credibility of Product Safety Regulations & Consumer Communications
July 14, 2015, Fox and Hounds
A former CPSC Commissioner opines on a new legislative initiative in California, which is “currently considering state legislation, SB 763, whose stated purpose – to help ensure the safety of children’s products – is a noble one… But…seeks to impose a labeling requirement on already safe products, undermining consumer confidence and imposing a costly and unnecessary requirement on businesses.”

Trampoline Parks Operate with Few Regulations
July 10, 2015,The Augusta Chronicle
Georgia lawmakers introduced a bill earlier this year to provide minimum standards for the operation of such facilities, including mandatory licensing, inspections and record-keeping, but it failed to pass. Elsewhere, Michigan, Colorado, and Arizona did pass similar legislation, as increased attention, supported by some industry leaders, is paid to the importance of safety in these popular venues.

Packaged Facts: Pet Food Recalls Return Spotlight to Pet Product Safety
July 14, 2015, prnewswire.com
Much like the widespread pet food recalls of 2007, these latest recalls have brought the issue of pet food safety into the spotlight, leaving pet food and treat marketers to allay consumer concerns about their products.

Food Liability Costs Surging in Global Economy: Swiss Re
JULY 20, 2015, Insurance Journal
In a new report, Swiss Re says that the number of annual food recalls have nearly doubled in the U.S. since 2002, affected by regulatory changes and a more globalized food supply system. Swiss Re found that half of all food recalls cost the affected companies involved more than $10 million and that this “underscores the value of risk transfer through insurance.”

83% of Supply Chain Executives Report Lackluster Performance as They Struggle to Get to Grip
July 22, 2015, logisticsit.com/Manufacturing and Logistics IT
Supply chains are being held back by the effects of globalization, according to a new survey, with a large majority from leading enterprises claiming to see only average or poor performance. Over 60% said this is primarily due to the number of partners involved and the risks this creates, which is in turn limiting their flexibility.

Consumer Reports Will No Longer Recommend Liquid Laundry Detergent Pods
July 16, 2015, consumerreports.org
Citing continued danger to young children, CR calls for tougher safety standards and urges households where children younger than 6 are ever present to refrain from purchasing them.  A draft proposal for a new voluntary standard calls for several key changes that have already been implemented in Europe.

Pending TSCA Reform Legislation, States Continue to Take Action on Chemicals
July 9, 2015, Arnold & Porter Advisories
The state legislation continues to fuel the desire for strong TSCA reform legislation that might meaningfully preempt such state actions. 2015 activity includes new laws in Minnesota, Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, with bills pending in Oregon and California.

State’s Top Court Rules Whistleblower Law Extends to Watchdog Employees
July 16, 2015, njspotlight.com
In a unanimous decision the New Jersey Supreme Court widened the state’s whistleblower law, ruling that employees whose jobs entail identifying health and safety risks are entitled to protection under the statute.

Air Bag Malfunction Probe Widens to Kentucky Company
July 15, 2015, The Associated Press
The problem of exploding air bags could be widening beyond Japanese manufacturer Takata Corp.  U.S. safety regulators are investigating inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc. that went into about 420,000 older Fiat Chrysler Town and Country minivans and 70,000 Kia Optima midsize sedans.

How ‘Made in China’ Became a Stigma
July 16, 2015, The Diplomat
RAPEX 2014 report shows that “the number of (EU) notifications by ‘country of origin’ list China in first place, 1,462, followed by Germany, 75, Turkey, 66, and the U.S., 60.” Still, the opinion writer notes that the appeal of the China label rests on “the ingenuity of Chinese manufacturers who can work directly from samples, providing greater expediency.”

Philippines: Steps Enhancing Consumer Rights Continue
July 9, 2015, SunStar.com
New proposals seen as strengthening “Consumer Act of the Philippines.” Increased fines and power to shut down companies violating the Act, along with the requirement to “immediately issue a product recall to the buyers of a product the moment it is found to be defective.”

Number of Food Recalls per Year in the U.S. has Almost Doubled Since 2002, new Swiss Re Study Finds
July 15, 2015, CanadianUnderwriters.ca
Just over half of all food recalls cost the affected United States companies more than US$10 million, with losses of more than US$100 million possible, according to the study. Food Safety in a Globalised World found that the number of recalls per year in the U.S. has almost doubled since 2002, with food contamination costing health authorities US$15.6 billion per year.

EUROPEN Welcomes EU’s Focus on Extended Responsibility
July  9, 2015, Recycling Today
Organization also cautions against wide scale replacement of food packaging with bio-based and biodegradable compostable material.

Ten Ways Big Data Is Revolutionizing Supply Chain Management
July 15, 2015, Forbes
Forward-thinking manufacturers are orchestrating 80% or more of their supplier network activity outside their four walls, using big data and cloud-based technologies to get beyond the constraints of legacy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems.

Product Makers Everywhere May Find Themselves Within the Grasp of EU’s REACH
July 1, 2015, Arnold & Porter Advisories
The authors provide some examples of the ways in which concerns about chemicals in products in the EU often are shared globally, and can adversely affect entry and survival in other major markets, including the US. Their advice: Beyond outside sources of information,  product manufacturers and distributors need to have their own familiarity with REACH.

China E-Commerce: The New Rules
July 5, 2015, China Law Blog
There is a new series of opinions from China’s central authority on the development of e-commerce in China. The most recent opinion displays the firm control of the central government over e-commerce, as well as the requirement that “e-commerce in China shall be conducted by Chinese companies.”

UL Proposes Industry Standards for Evaluating Personal Care Product Safety
July, 9, 2015, Cosmeticsdesign
The testing and standards company’s most recent white paper reflects research into consumer attitudes as well as into safety of personal care products. Their study  calls for the improvement of existing standards and the use of third-party certifications to mitigate consumer concerns about wellness, sustainability, and ingredient safety.

Tests for Formaldehyde in Lumber Liquidators’ Flooring by Media
July 9, 2015, wsoctv.com
A Charlotte television station used its own independent lab to test consumer’s LL flooring. The results came back in the safe range. Lumber Liquidators also defends the objectivity of the lab it used to evaluate the test kits it offers free to consumers.

Study Questions Safety of Chemicals Used in Plastic Consumer Products
July 9, 2015, Health Daily News
Researchers in a new study say they see a link to risk of high blood pressure and diabetes in children as two supposedly safer chemicals used to replace a known harmful one in plastic and other consumer products pose similar health risks.

Restoring Consumer Confidence in BPA
June 19, 2015, eppm.com, European Plastic Product Manufacturer
Bayer MaterialScience defends BPA as “proven to be safe and may well be safer than some of the alternatives due to the fact that it is now one of the best-researched chemical compounds on the market.” The manufacturer says there are over 1,000 studies that confirm or refute the risks associated with the material.

What is CPSC’s Fast Track Recall Program and When Should Companies Utilize It?
July 7, 2015, The National Law Review
In the CPSC’s own words: “The fast track recall program helps consumers by removing potentially hazardous products from the marketplace as quickly and efficiently as possible and rewards businesses that act quickly.” Find out how it works.

Labeling of Health and Nutrition Claims
July 7, 2015, Food Safety Magazine
A new labeling law now joins with an early law regulating health and nutrition claims by producers as food enters a new era of regulation. Together, the overall aim of these regulations is to provide companies with a comprehensive range of food laws to cover all aspects of product promotion; now that both of these regulations are in force, it would appear the level of enforcement is increasing.

Food Fright: Ingredient Fears Reducing Consumer Enjoyment at Mealtime, According to Survey
July 9, 2015, Reuters
A new survey from Daymon Worldwide reveals that 40 percent of consumers have lost enjoyment of the foods they eat due to safety and quality concern. Nearly twice as many parents as non-parents report these anxieties, according to the study.

Supply Chain Monitoring Service Claims Real-time Visibility
July 9, 2015, thomasnet.com
Company promotes a service it says can integrate demand, inventory monitoring, manufacturing, quality, outbound transportation, and delivery.