All articles tagged with #warning labels
California has enacted a law requiring social media platforms to display warning labels to users under 18 about the potential mental health risks, including skippable and unskippable alerts based on usage time, aiming to protect children's well-being amid industry opposition and legal challenges.
The article discusses the health risks of alcohol, particularly its link to cancer, and advocates for clearer warning labels on bottles. It highlights recent legislative efforts in countries like Ireland and South Korea to mandate such warnings, and mentions ongoing debates in the US. The author emphasizes the importance of specific risk information at the point of consumption, while also questioning the effectiveness of absolute messages like 'no safe level' of alcohol consumption.
Texas has enacted a groundbreaking law requiring warning labels on foods containing certain artificial dyes and additives, which could influence national food labeling policies and industry practices, amid broader efforts to improve public health and address chronic diseases.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy has proposed that social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram should include warning labels to alert parents about potential mental health risks to adolescents, similar to warnings on tobacco and alcohol products.
A Rhode Island woman has filed a lawsuit against Panera Bread, alleging that its highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade caused her to develop long-term heart problems. This follows previous wrongful death claims against the chain eatery. The plaintiff claims to have suffered from atrial fibrillation and ongoing symptoms after consuming the beverage. The lawsuit alleges that Panera did not adequately warn customers about the high caffeine levels in the drink. Panera has denied culpability in previous cases and has since lowered the caffeine content of the drinks, as well as added enhanced disclosures about their products.
Staff at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have recommended a major redesign of baby loungers and similar infant cushions following the deaths of 79 babies from 2010 to 2022. The proposed safety measures would require the cushions to be as firm as a crib mattress and limit the height of the walls to less than 2 inches to reduce the risk of suffocation or restricted breathing. The changes would also include more prominent warning labels cautioning against using the cushions for sleep or leaving babies unattended. The CPSC commissioners will decide whether to adopt the recommendations in November, and if approved, the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback before implementation. Manufacturers have defended their products as safe when used as intended, while awake and supervised.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has unanimously voted to advance a proposal for the first federal safety requirements for nursing pillows, following dozens of infant deaths. The proposed changes include design modifications and more visible warning labels to discourage using nursing pillows for sleep. The pillows will need to be firm enough to reduce suffocation risks and have a wide curve to avoid restricting infants' head movements. Straps to secure babies will be prohibited. The proposal will be open for public comment for 60 days before finalization. The CPSC's move comes after an NBC News investigation revealed at least 162 infant deaths related to nursing pillows since 2007.
Concerns are growing over a mysterious illness called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) that affects some long-term cannabis users, causing symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Doctors at Tufts Medical Center have noticed a rise in CHS cases, particularly among younger college students, and have conducted a study showing that hospitalizations for CHS more than doubled after cannabis was legalized in Massachusetts in 2016. Patients often experience symptoms after heavy cannabis use for over a year. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Board requires warning labels on marijuana products, but there is a call for specific warnings about CHS. Further research is needed to fully understand the health risks associated with marijuana use.
Researchers from Dell Medical School in Austin, Texas, have conducted a study on ceiling fan-related injuries in children and found that approximately 2,300 children were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for head injuries between 2013 and 2021. The most common injury was laceration, affecting 60% of patients. The study highlights the need for warning labels on ceiling fans and recommends re-evaluating building and electrical codes. The researchers emphasize that these injuries are largely preventable and urge parents to be cautious when lifting children near ceiling fans and to avoid placing tall furniture close to them.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff is recommending the implementation of federal safety requirements for nursing pillows following an investigation that linked them to over 100 infant deaths. The proposed guidelines include making the pillows firm enough to prevent suffocation, ensuring wide openings to avoid restricting a baby's head movements, and adding more prominent warning labels to discourage unsupervised use for sleeping. The staff also suggests removing straps that may give caregivers a false sense of safety. CPSC commissioners will meet in September to decide whether to proceed with the proposal, allowing public feedback before finalization.
The staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recommended the implementation of federal safety requirements for nursing pillows in order to prevent infant deaths associated with the product. The recommendations include making the pillows firm enough to prevent suffocation, ensuring wide openings to avoid restricting infants' head movements, and prominently displaying warning labels. The CPSC staff cited 154 deaths involving nursing pillows from 2010 to 2022, with most infants dying after being placed to sleep on or with the pillows. The proposed requirements are expected to face opposition from the industry, which has defended the safety of its products.
Warning labels have become so prevalent in the U.S. that they may have lost their effectiveness. Originally rare, warning labels gained popularity in the 1960s with the introduction of cigarette warnings. However, the ubiquity of warning labels has desensitized consumers, making it difficult to discern actual risks. Effective warning labels should provide new information and be credible, but many labels fail to meet these criteria. Consumer protection advocates argue that warning labels should be a last resort and that product design should prioritize safety through risk elimination or minimization. Warning labels alone are often ineffective and should be coupled with safe design measures.
Canada will become the first country in the world to require warning labels on individual cigarettes, with the regulations taking effect on August 1. The move is aimed at reducing tobacco use below 5% by 2035 and will be followed by regular-size cigarettes and little cigars. The warnings will include “poison in every puff” and “cigarettes cause impotence”. Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship are banned in Canada, and warnings on cigarette packs have existed since 1972.
Canada will become the first country in the world to require warning labels on individual cigarettes, with the regulations taking effect on August 1. The warnings, in English and French, will include messages such as "poison in every puff" and "tobacco smoke harms children." The move is aimed at reducing tobacco use below 5% by 2035 and strengthening health-related graphic images displayed on packages of tobacco. Tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship are already banned in Canada, and warnings on cigarette packs have existed since 1972.
Amazon has launched warning labels on frequently returned products to cut down on the number of times people return something in disappointment. The label notes the product’s status as a frequently returned product, along with a prompt to check item details and reviews before purchasing. The move is designed to save time during the research phase of choosing a product and reduce the number of trips customers take to return items.