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Consumer Protection

Looking out for consumers, from bank fees to toxic toys.

Issue | Budget, Food

Stop Subsidizing Obesity

Ending taxpayer subsidies for junk food.

Media Hit | Food

New Mexico In Focus: Farm Subsidies

Host Gene Grant sits down with New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau President Mike White to talk about farm subsidies. A recent report by the New Mexico Public Interest Research Group says poorly targeted subsidies are inadvertently contributing to the rise in obesity among Americans both young and old.

News Release | NMPIRG Education Fund | Food

New Report Links Agricultural Subsidies to Childhood Obesity

A report by the New Mexico Public Interest Research Group, or NMPIRG, titled “Apples to Twinkies: Comparing Federal Subsidies of Fresh Produce and Junk Food” found that between 1995 and 2010, the U.S. has spent more than $260 billion on agricultural subsidies.

Report | Food

Apples to Twinkies

America is facing an obesity epidemic – one that’s hitting children especially hard. Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the last three decades, with one in five kids aged 6 to 11 now obese.

News Release | USPIRG | Food

Representative Jeff Flake Introduces REAPS Act

Statement of U.S. PIRG Federal Legislative Office Director Gary Kalman on the introduction of the Reducing the Deficit through Eliminating Agriculture Direct Payment Subsidies Act.

News Release | USPIRG | Food

House Committee Approves Cut to Agriculture Subsidies

Statement of U.S. PIRG Public Health Advocate Elizabeth Hitchcock on the House Appropriations Committee’s vote to approve an amendment to the 2012 Agriculture appropriations bill  to limit agriculture subsidies called direct payments to farmers with adjusted gross incomes lower than $250,000.

Resource | Budget, Consumer Protection, Democracy, Financial Reform, Food, Health Care, Higher Ed, Safe Energy, Solid Waste, Tax, Transportation

Beat High Bank Fees

Banks rely on consumer indifference when they raise fees. They count on consumers not shopping around. PIRG’s Big Banks, Bigger Fees reports routinely find that small banks and credit unions are not following the big banks’ lead; they still offer many free or low cost accounts.

Resource | Budget, Consumer Protection, Democracy, Financial Reform, Food, Health Care, Higher Ed, Safe Energy, Solid Waste, Tax, Transportation

TIPS FOR TOY SAFETY

Thousands of toys are on the market, each promising to educate or entertain our children. Unfortunately, not every toy is safe. Toy buyers can help protect children from injury by being careful, vigilant shoppers.

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PRIORITY ACTION

Every year, our tax dollars pay for enough corn syrup and other junk food additives to buy 2.8 million Twinkies. It's time to stop subsidizing obesity.

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