My day as a Lobbyist

I went to Washington DC last week to lobby for food safety and FDA Reform. I went as part of a coalition of several food safety groups, lobbying for HB875, or the Food Safety Modernization Act, as it has come to be called. In a nutshell, here a the key points:

• Mandatory recall power for the FDA – did you know they don’t have this now?
• Annual inspections of food manufacturers
• Mandatory reporting of positive test results for things like salmonella and E-coli (right now a company can test and get a positive result, throw those results away and keep testing till they get a negative test – then put it ALL on the shelves! All without telling anyone!!!))
• Adoption of science based standards for food manufacturing

There are a few other elements, but those are the ones that tipped the scales for me. I have been asked by friends and family why I went to DC. Here’s what I’ve come up with:

The CPSIA which was passed by Congress last fall says that I cannot sell a vinyl raincoat to a 12 year old because he might get lead poisoning if he eats it. However, Congress did not create a way to keep E-coli out of strawberries grown in Mexico, relabeled once across the border as “US GROWN” so they could qualify to be sold into school lunches, where Lindsey ate them and now has life-long kidney problems, is diabetic and will need a kidney transplant eventually. They did not find a way to keep spinach with e-coli off the shelves last year where it was then sold and fed to 2 year old Kyle who died within 4 days of eating it. There was no protection for the people who ate peanuts over the past year that were being processed and packaged in a rat and mice infested factory, 9 of whom have died so far.

This is why I went to DC. Congress needs to get up and change things in the FDA. They acted more swiftly than most have seen in their lifetime when it came to lead in kids clothes….why not food? Isn’t food a more basic need? Going out on a limb here, but I feel 99.9% certain that I can keep a vinyl raincoat out of my 7 & 2 year olds mouth. Exactly how do I keep them from eating strawberries, spinach, orange juice, veggie booty, etc? And why would I want them to avoid those things? Am I supposed to live in fear that they might get sick if I don’t cook everything they eat in scalding water to hopefully kill any e-coli? And isn’t raw spinach better for you vitamin-wise? What’s a mom to do?

On my first day there, I sat with my fellow “lobbyists”, a room full of victims. I have never owned the word “victim” – I just can’t. It’ not that I don’t understand the word, I just don’t accept it. I tend more towards the “get over it” side of camp, but as I sat in this room of people who had traveled from all over the country to rally together for a cause, I found that the word “victim” was oddly applicable here. None of us chose this. Especially not the couple from Idaho whose son Kyle is gone. He died at the same age that my son Beck is now.

Capital Hill is overwhelming if you are there to participate. How does anything actually get done up there and how do those people know who their constituents actually are and what they want? How could they possibly?

I am not sure about the answer to those questions, but after spending a full day up there with a professional lobbyist as my “sherpa and guide”, I at least have a better understanding of how it all works. I went from meeting to meeting, telling the story of Beck and how he got sick. I told my Congressman that I just didn’t think it was right that I should have to wonder if what I am bringing home from the grocery store will actually make him sick, not provide for his nutrition and growth. I met with 4 of our leaders and their staff – in meetings that ranged from welcoming and understanding to dismissive and rude. Quite an experience to say the least.

Throughout my day the School House Rock – “I’m Just a Bill” ran though my head. To see it in action was educational. And maybe a little disheartening – I just don’t know how those guys muddle through the issues presented to them and come up with the ones that truly have depth and substance and are really important. I do not envy them that job and I did leave the Hill that day with a deeper respect for the job of our representatives.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. I can’t go through life without knowing I haven’t done everything I can to ensure that my kids grow up healthy and happy and this particular issue falls into that category. I hope someday they can know and appreciate the work being done on their behalf.

FDA and me....

I head to Washington DC next Monday. Me and the government are going to go at it again. Maybe this time I'll win? Didn't really get too far with the CPSIA but I am eternally optimistic.

The newest issue in my world is the FDA reform - dubbed the Food Safety Modernization Act. I am supposedly meeting with some of the powers that be in Washington DC to try and convince them that our FDA is broken and needs to be fixed. I have been asked several times now - why are you doing this? Why are you going to DC - it is because you just like to get involved in causes? Do you feel really strongly about this issue?

And I have been asking myself the same questions. I suppose that before Monday, I need a clear answer. But the fact is that there are a lot of reasons to do this. I have to at least admit that on some level - the shallowest and least important reason is - it's a really cool way to get to see how the government works and to get to go to DC on someone else's dime.

BUT.... there are also important reasons.... like the fact that I have now seen first hand what a bad law does to good people. Having personal up close experience with the CPSIA, I know what bad government can do. I realize I am small potatoes compared to some of the biggies out there - but if I can make the smallest amount of difference, it's worth it.

It is not OK with me to think that we cannot rely on our government and it's agencies to take care of our food supply. Eating is NOT an option. We have to get our food from somewhere and since no one I know has the ability to eat 100% from their own backyard, we need to rely on grocery stores and other food sources. I need to know that when I go to my local store, the items I choose to buy for my family will not make the sick, give them long-term health problems or even cause them to be hospitalized or God-forbid, cause death.

So - I am off to DC... and our local News station picked it up. More press on it's way - this was just the first. We had the crew in the living room this morning before school - nothing like a news crew to start your day!

KTVZ News

Veggie Bootie - not so bad?

I am so excited... after all this CPSIA stuff I have seriously had my bubble burst on government and how bad decisions can have far reaching effects. BUT - as it turns out, I might get a chance to build my bubble back.

When my 2 1/2 year old was only 10 months his favorite snack was Veggie Bootie. So much a favorite that we dubbed it "baby crack". He loved it - soft, salty, easily transported - what's not to love? The fact that it's billed as healthy certainly didn't hurt - and we fed it to him all the time. Well - turns out that the spinach and kale powder used to make it oh so healthy is actually from China. And guess what? - one bad batch was full of salmonella!

Mostly it was infants who got sick - not surprising since no adult I know can actually stand to eat the stuff. They said it was because infants and toddlers have weaker immune systems - but I seriously doubt anyone over the age of 5 even eats the stuff.

Anyhow, Beck went in for his 10 month well-baby check up and while we were at the dr's office he had a poopy diaper. I went to change it and the doc saw it was full of - well... let's just say it was NOT normal. His poor little bum was raw and she was immediately concerned. She decided to culture it - and lo and behold - salmonella. So guess what they do for salmonella in infants? Nothing! We didn't actually find out what it was for 3 days and by then he'd started to get better. After all this peanut recall stuff and related deaths - we were extremely fortunate.

After we found out the diagnosis, the public health dept got involved and it got a little crazy. Apparently the strain he has was very rare and another 10 cases had been reported across the country recently. I then began the wierd task of helping to find the link between my child and other children around the country sickened by the same rare strain of salmonella. After many phone calls and interviews - we hit pay dirt - Veggie Bootie! I guess all kids think its baby crack! We even ended up in the Oregonian.


Weeks later I read about this group called STOP - Safe Tables Our Priority.http://www.safetables.org/. I contacted them because I was interested in what the long term effects of salmonella poisoning might be on Beck. For now, he's fine. but what if he has digestive problems later in life? What if he gets ill later and they don't know why? What if it can all be linked back to him having been poisoned by his favorite snack food?

I signed up for their newsletters and have been part of discussions and website updates ever since. And now I might have a chance to actually do something about the way the FDA regulates things! I have been asked to come to DC and share my (or Beck's) story with my representatives and be part of the changes happening. Apparently, since this peanut recall has happened the govt. has decided to listen to STOPand other organizations like them. They are listening to the problems in the way theFDA regulates and approves foods and manufacturers.

After the craziness with the CPSIA over the past few months, maybe my faith in government will be restored - what if they actually listen and people's lives are affected? Am I dreaming that this could actually happen? Quite possibly - but since I firmly believe that things happen for a reason - I have got to believe that Beck got sick for a good reason....and isn't change in government regulation a good reason?

No rest for the weary - CPSIA rears it's ugly head again

It seems to me that there's a bit of a conspiracy going on. Why does the CPSC keep sending out press releases that say NOTHING? They have now sent out two releases which at first glance make you feel like all is right in the world. And then you keep reading. I think they must be banking on the fact that the majority of us are too darned busy to read and ENTIRE press release and will stop at the part that makes us feel better.

CPSC Press Release

For those of you following this issue (and no offense here, but if you are new to this issue you must have been on vacation for the past month, otherwise there's no excuse) you need to know that NOTHING HAS CHANGED. The law has not changed. Retail and resale stores across the country are still prohibited from selling anything that does not comply with the new lead standards.

Here's a great blog with some description for you: Domestic Diva. And she is right. In my resale store, I can sell anything I want that has not been tested - as long as it meet the new requirements. And how do I know that you might ask? Well - since I am not related to Superman (x-ray vision and flying would be SUCH cool abilities) I am going to have to test my products. We have decided to take the financial hit of renting the XRF to test everything.

Am I required to do so? No. But if I sell something - knowingly or unknowingly that has more than 600 parts per million of lead, I could be fined thousands of dollars and potentially spend 5 years in jail.

So many people have asked me "are they REALLY going to come after you?". I don't know. But do you really think I should take the risk that my children might not see me at Christmas next year?

WOULD YOU???????

CPSIA Blog Day

I just learned that today is officially "CPSIA Blog Day". So here I am blogging about it. I haven't stopped talking about it for weeks now. I flip-flop between annoyed, frustrated, so pissed that I can't see straight and just plain DONE with it.

It is amazing to me that there is ONE guy in Congress who has the power to help us. This article is lengthy - but a really good explanation as to why he's the one guy who can help. Heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com

As it stands now, we plan to close Stone Soup. We do have one little plan up our sleeve to try and stay open - but it's only a bandaid and an expensive one. It'll keep us open temporarily, but not long term.

My favorite thing to check each day: http://www.henrywaxman.house.gov/ Check it out - the top ticker has a little place to say what he's working on each day. Everyday that I have checked it, it has this ______________. What exactly is ____________? Can I get that job? I want to work on _______________ and get paid $174,000.

My government bubble is burst

Seriously, I am tired of talking about this. CPSIA is going to affect EVERY single person in the country who sells, makes, loans or in any way distributes children's items. Little ole-gramma making baby blankets? Affects her too. Especially if she adds any buttons or sequins - look out!

I continue to be amazed at the people I talk to everyday who still think this law is only affecting people who import from China. Or who haven't even HEARD of this law. Are you living under a rock? Apparently a LOT of people are - judging from the conversations I've had today.

Google it, get informed, get out of your bubble. I did. I was pretty happy floating along in my naive little world. Thought the government was here to help, not harm. I mean - at least in the general sense. I do have a new respect for what Seantors do everyday - but I also now have a very sad view of what happens because of what they do.

Here's a good list of what this law affects: (taken from www.karen-clark.com)
These are just some of the categories of products this law will affect:

books, including library books
infant equipment
childcare supplies including diapers
children’s clothing including babies to age 12
all toys for children birth to 12
stuffed animals
birthday party goods, decorations, supplies
wooden “natural” toys
hand-made children’s toys/goods/crafts
homeschooling materials
art and school supplies for children
children’s musical instruments
teaching materials and textbooks
bicycles and outdoor equipment for children
resale and consignment clothing and products
prizes/incentive items for children
bedroom furniture items and bedding
girls’ jewelry and dress up items
hand made baby blankets, booties, and hats
religious education products
sporting equipment designed for children
science and math hands-on teaching tools
kindergarten and preschool learning through play items
children’s shoes, backpacks and other accessories