WASHINGTON, DC— During a major forum on risks to children, the National Consumers League (NCL) warned today that the nation lacks a cohesive plan for addressing threats to children.

"This lack of a clear action plan leaves the health and well-being of our children at serious risk," said Linda Golodner, President of NCL. "We must dedicate the resources necessary to protect our children."

NCL brought together consumer groups, business leaders, regulators, public health officials and journalists for a one-day forum at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C in an effort to reach consensus on how to communicate children’s health risks to parents. The participants examined the dilemma of parents who often receive conflicting information, making it difficult to weigh choices affecting their children’s health.

Using personal experience and case studies, prominent media representatives discussed how much scientific evidence the media need to report an alleged threat from a food, ingredient or consumer product.

The following panelists were scheduled to discuss how the media can help parents determine how a potential risk should be evaluated against other dangers:

• Michele Norris – ABC News (moderator)

• Anita Manning – USA Today
• Mary Hager – Newsweek
• John Schwartz – Washington Post

Panel 2: Consumer, Industry and Regulator Perspectives

Representatives from consumer groups, industry associations and regulatory agencies debated how much scientific evidence is required before consumers are notified and/or a product is removed from the marketplace.

Scheduled panelists included:

• Rick Frank, Olsson, Frank & Weeda (moderator)
• Lori Saltzman, Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Lynn Larsen, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Michael Jacobson, Center for Science in the Public Interest
• Joan Claybrook, Public Citizen
• Bill Carroll, Vinyl Institute
• Bob Earl, International Food Information Council

 

Panel 3: Calculating Risks, Setting Priorities

Kimberly Thompson, Ph.D., Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, released a report to help parents evaluate dangers to children. The report also explains how media stories can impact a parent’s perception of health and safety issues.

The report, titled "Doing Our Best for Children: A Guide for Evaluating Hazard Claims and Setting Priorities," details 10 points that parents and policy makers should remember as they evaluate risks to children. For example, various government agencies and children’s advocacy groups collect statistics on dangers to children. But many of these well-documented risks do not make the news.

The report states that lack of coverage on well-established risks can be just as damaging as "news of the day" stories, which Thompson contends perpetuate unnecessary health scares and draw parents’ attention away from real dangers to their children.

Other panelists scheduled to discuss how parents can evaluate warnings about potential risks to children from consumer products included:

• Linda Golodner, National Consumers League (moderator)
• Mary Ellen Fise, Consumer Federation of America
• William Hueston, University of Maryland, Department of Veterinary Medicine
• Heather Paul, National Safe Kids Campaign.

Representatives from public health organizations, consumer groups, government, business and the media were invited to the event. Those interested in reading the Harvard report can log onto www.kidsrisk.harvard.edu/guide.html.

 

###


The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. NCL's three-pronged approach of research, education and advocacy has made it an effective representative and source of information for consumers and workers. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to representing consumers on issues of concern.



Home | News | Join NCL  | Archives | Child Labor | Fraud | Email Us |