Government
FTC and the Clean Credit Report Repair Court Order
A credit repair operation has agreed to stop making false claims and stop charging up-front fees under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement is part of an ongoing crackdown on scams that target financially strapped consumers, in this case taking hundreds of dollars in fees to purportedly remove negative information from consumers’ credit reports even if the information is accurate and timely. The FTC filed the action in “Operation Clean Sweep” in October 2008.
The FDA's Recall Week:One Half Billion Eggs, Moonstruck Chocolate and Mr. Magic Male Enhancer
It was a busy week for the US Food and Drug Administration. Recalls (voluntary and otherwise) ranged from a male enhancer, frozen mamey pulp, the withdrawal of a low blood pressure drug, the approval of tablets for emergency contraception, and recalling those half billion eggs. And for special programs:
- Food Facts
Includes flyers on Dietary Supplements, Egg Safety, Food Allergies, Bottled Water, Produce Safety, Seafood Safety, Ready-to-Eat Refrigerated Foods, Raw Milk, and more - Food Safety & Nutrition Education Campaigns
Includes education campaigns for kids & teens, for pregnant women, for Hispanic Community, tools for educators, and more.
By the way, if you'd like to sign up for FDA alerts and recalls, you can. This week's action list promises even more egg recalls.
What GAO Found; Formaldehyde in Textiles
While Levels in Clothing Generally Appear to Be Low, Allergic Contact Dermatitis Is a Health Issue for Some People; a Report to Congressional Committees
Formaldehyde — one of the most widely produced chemicals in the world — is used in many products, including disinfectants, pressed-wood, and clothing and other textiles. Exposure to this chemical, which has been linked to adverse health effects for more than 30 years, typically occurs through inhalation and dermal (skin) contact. Formaldehyde can be used to enhance wrinkle resistance in some clothing and textiles, especially those made of cotton. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reviewed formaldehyde in clothing in the 1980s and determined that the levels found did not pose a public health concern. At that time, most clothing sold in the United States was made here — but the market has changed such that most US clothing is now made in other countries. This market change has raised anew questions about the levels of formaldehyde in clothing.
Voices in American Fashion and Design USA: Contemporary Innovation
The Cooper-Hewitt, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, held this event a number of months ago with well known designers as part of a larger exhibit. It is 1 hour, 2 minutes in length.
Washington Post Style Editor Robin Givhan, leads a conversation with past National Design Award Winners Francisco Costa (Women’s Creative Director of Calvin Klein Collection), Yeohlee Teng, and Maria Cornejo about their work and the role of fashion in contemporary culture. Their designs are featured in Design USA: Contemporary Innovation.
The craft section of Design USA features such sections as one on Yeohlee Tang (see above as one of the National Design winners in conversation and a favorite of ours as a designer for all ages), Aveda Corporation, Ralph Rucci and Nike:
XML/RSS