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| Contact: Deborah Sturm Rausch 518.473.9472|518.474.2896 |
For Immediate Release: October 16, 2008 |
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Milk Cartons From The New York State Consumer Protection Board And New York State Dairy Food’s Members Draw Attention To Toy And Juvenile Product Safety |
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The New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) today announced that more than 1.5 million half-pint milk cartons a week, featuring the theme of toy safety and the
CPB’s Max Safetoy Club, are available in New York City and Capital Region schools thanks to a successful partnership with New York State Dairy Foods (NYSDF) and its members.
“In June we announced the ‘Children’s Product Safety and Recall Effectiveness Act of 2008’ to protect New York children from unsafe toys and durable juvenile products such as cribs, car seats, high chairs, playpens or other similar items that may be available to consumers even after they have been recalled,” said Governor David A. Paterson. “I commend the CPB for its efforts to keep dangerous toys and other products out of children’s hands, and for developing this innovative campaign to partner with industry and our schools so that youngsters can learn about this issue.” “With recalls continuing to be issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and with concerns about the proliferation of hazardous toys and other juvenile products such as cribs, high chairs and car seats through primary and secondary markets, the CPB developed this campaign to bring the topic right to the people who are most affected - - the kids who use them,” said Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the CPB. “We are hoping that by getting students engaged in their own safety, they will learn about the dangers of some products, and will pass along what they learn to their friends and family. Empowering kids with the building blocks of knowledge so they become more aware of the impact of toy and product safety in their daily lives, makes good sense.” “The CPB turned to the NYSDF for assistance in promoting toy safety to children, and they stepped up to the plate, asking member dairies to participate by providing a side panel of their half-pint milk cartons,” continued Bockstein. “We are grateful to them for their assistance and to the leadership of Elmhurst and Mohawk Dairies for all they are doing to help keep kids safe.” The Max Safetoy Club, a promotion for children’s product safety, was first introduced in November 2007 as part of the CPB’s Safe Toys NY program. At a press conference held today at Roesselville School in Albany, NY, students and school district representatives joined the CPB, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, NYSDF and Mohawk Dairy leadership in calling for vigilance on toy and juvenile product safety, especially as we approach the holiday season. The partners praised New York State’s efforts to protect children from hazardous products. New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said, “We are pleased to help promote child safety with Governor Paterson and the Consumer Protection Board. Thanks to the responsible efforts of Elmhurst and Mohawk Dairies, now both the milk carton and its contents will help keep our children safe and healthy.” “This was a natural for us,” said Bruce W. Krupke, NYSDF Executive Vice President. “What better way to bring the message home to children than by getting it in front of them on their milk cartons every day! I am proud of the member dairies who committed to providing space for this important safety message on their milk cartons, and hope other dairies will follow suit. I am honored to be part of this effort, and I commend the Consumer Protection Board for protecting kids.” Mohawk Dairy President Rich Rzeszotarski said, “Mohawk Dairy is so pleased to be part of this tremendous program and to feature the Max Safetoy program on our Homogenized, 2%, 1%, Skim and Nonfat Chocolate milk cartons delivered to schools and other community-based programs in upstate New York. With more than 200,000 people a week seeing the message of toy safety, it’s bound to have the positive impact we’re looking for. Hats off to the CPB!” Elmhurst Dairy representative Aaron Jonas said, “We placed the toy safety information on our nonfat chocolate half-pint milk carton which is our most popular carton. We are proud to deliver about 1.3 million of these cartons a week to schools in each of the five boroughs of New York City. When we first heard about this grassroots effort by the CPB, we knew we had to be part of it. There’s no telling the impact of providing this important safety message to so many people, but we have to believe it will have positive.” Suzanne Moore, Principal of the Roesselville Elementary School said, “We are honored to have been chosen to help spotlight the New York State Consumer Protection Board’s efforts to raise awareness about toy and juvenile product safety through its public service campaign. Young people need to know about toy safety, and utilizing schools where youngsters spend so much of their time is a terrific idea. What could be more important than the safety of our children?” “Working together with business, nonprofit organizations, schools and government Agencies, we are making a difference with this program,” concluded Bockstein. “We are grateful for our partnerships and for all the assistance we have received, and look forward to increased awareness about toy safety as a result.” In addition to toy and juvenile product safety information, the CPB features numerous product and children’s safety tips and other resources, on its website at www.nysconsumer.gov. The CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is the State's top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB's core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the Do Not Call law; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies. |
| To file a consumer complaint with the NYS Consumer Protection Board (CPB), call our toll-free hotline at 800-697-1220 or visit CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. In addition to the online complaint form, the website is home to important consumer safety information. To join the CPB’s Do Not Call Reminder list, send an e-mail to CPB's Do Not Call Reminder list |