Attorney General James Probes Toxic Substances Found in Baby Food Sold in New York

 

AG James Requests Information from Baby Food Companies Gerber, Hain, Beech-Nut, and Nurture on the Presence of Inorganic Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereal Products

 New York Attorney General Letitia James launched a probe this week into several manufacturers of baby food regarding high levels of inorganic arsenic found in infant rice cereal products. In response to widespread concern regarding toxic metals found in baby food, Attorney General James requested information from the companies that make Gerber, Beech-Nut, Earth’s Best Organic (Hain), and HappyBABY (Nurture) brands, to examine whether the infant rice cereal products that are sold in New York contain arsenic at levels exceeding the legal maximum under the law. Attorney General James is also seeking information about the advertising and promotion of the products to assess their compliance with New York’s consumer protection laws.

“No child should be exposed to toxic substances in their food,” said Attorney General James. “Baby food manufacturers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety of their products, and provide peace-of-mind to the parents who rely on their products every day. Through this probe, I am committed to protecting the health and wellness of the next generation.”

Arsenic and other toxic substances in baby food pose risks for the health and development of infants and young children. Continued exposure can affect a child’s brain development, behavior, and intelligence quotient (IQ) in the long-term.

The U.S. House of Representatives Oversight and Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy recently published a report showing the presence of toxic metals — specifically inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury — in infant rice cereal products made by leading U.S. baby food companies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now advises, through “action level guidance,” that inorganic arsenic in rice cereal for infants be limited to 100 parts per billion. This is currently the only action level FDA has in effect for toxic substances in baby food.

In her letters, the Attorney General asks the companies — which include some of the largest baby food manufacturers in the United States — to provide information on inorganic arsenic levels as well as their practices, policies, and standards regarding testing for inorganic arsenic in its infant rice cereal products and ingredients sold in the state of New York. The Attorney General has also asked the companies to provide all information related to any advertising materials pertaining to infant rice cereal products, and communications they have had with various parties concerning inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal.

The inquiry announced today is a continuation of Attorney General James’ efforts to ensure the safety of baby foods and to protect the health and well-being of infants and young children in New York and across the country. In February, the Attorney General urged the FDA to follow recent congressional recommendations to adopt protective federal standards for all baby food, not just rice cereal, and to require all baby food manufacturers to test their finished products for toxic metals rather than testing just individual ingredients.

DiNapoli Issues Analysis of 2021-22 Enacted State Budget

 

 The Enacted State Budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 is boosted by a substantial influx of new resources, totaling an estimated $26.7 billion in SFY 2021-22. These resources include federal support, better-than-expected tax collections, revenues from tax increases, and other new resources, resulting in the largest budget in state history at an estimated $212 billion, according to an analysis released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“The American Rescue Plan provided fiscal relief to the state and local governments, school districts and transit systems at a critical time,” DiNapoli said. “While the Enacted Budget makes important investments in education, health care and other important areas, it’s critical to maintain a long-term view and ensure the state’s spending does not grow to unsustainable levels. Federal support is finite and there were missed opportunities in this budget to ensure the state is well-positioned to weather future emergencies and recessions.”

The American Rescue Plan will give $12.6 billion in fiscal relief to the state and additional funds for other programs to directly benefit New Yorkers. The budget will use $5.5 billion of federal aid in SFY 2021-22 and is required to use the rest by the end of 2024. Revenue actions including increases to top personal income tax rates and corporate franchise tax rates are expected to generate $3.7 billion in SFY 2021-22, growing to $4.8 billion by SFY 2024-25. Increases to the corporate franchise rates expire after 2023 while higher personal income tax rates will expire after 2027.

The new resources provide substantial funding for education and relief programs for struggling New Yorkers and industries. State funding for K-12 public school education is expected to grow by $1.4 billion annually, in addition to federal funding provided directly to districts. New programs, backed mostly by federal funds, include $2.4 billion for rent and homeowner relief, $2.4 billion for child care resources to aid providers and improve subsidies to low-income parents, and $1.6 billion in small business recovery grants and loans, including specific programs for restaurants, cultural establishments, and theater and musical productions.

DiNapoli noted there were also several chances to take steps to improve New York’s long-term fiscal position that were not acted upon. The state continued to defer up to a total of $3.5 billion in Medicaid payments and did not make any new deposits to statutory rainy day reserve funds, which remain at $2.5 billion. Despite a strong cash position, short-term borrowing was also reauthorized. And, for the second year, state leaders circumvented the state’s debt cap for debt to be issued in the coming year—with new state issuance likely to exceed the limits, rendering the cap meaningless.

In the coming weeks, the state Division of Budget will release an updated financial plan for SFY 2021-22 through SFY 2024-25 which will clarify the use and timing of federal aid, spending planned for future years, and the impact of revenue and expense actions on recurring budget gaps. DiNapoli said the financial plan should also provide detail on several risks, including the volatility and temporary nature of new tax revenues and the sustainability of spending on key programs.

Full Report

Review of the Enacted Budget State Fiscal Year 2021-22

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic Aoril 29 2021

 

Hospitalizations Drop to 2,934—First Day Under 3,000 Since November 24 and Lowest Since November 23

ICU Patients Drop to 691—Lowest Since November 29

Intubations Drop to 425—Lowest Since December 3

Statewide Positivity Rate is 1.80%

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Rate Drops to 1.98%—First Day Under 2% Since November 7

38 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"The COVID virus changes almost every day, and as the enemy changes we have to adjust our tactics to defeat it," Governor Cuomo said. "The numbers are all headed in the right direction, and as they go down we are continuing to relax restrictions more and more so we can begin to get back to normal. But we're not done with COVID yet - all the good numbers mean nothing if we don't keep up with the precautions we know work to stop the spread. I encourage all New Yorkers to wear a mask, remain socially distanced and most importantly, get vaccinated."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 226,068
• Total Positive - 4,073
• Percent Positive - 1.80%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 1.98%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,934 (-183)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -633
• Patients Newly Admitted - 319
• Hospital Counties - 53
• Number ICU - 691 (-21)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 425 (-19)
• Total Discharges - 175,127 (+400)
• Deaths - 38
• Total Deaths - 41,948

Assemblymember Nathalia Fernandez - May COVID-19 Rapid Testing

 

 

Greetings,

Our office is happy to announce that we will begin providing Free Rapid COVID-19 Testing in partnership with Essen Healthcare, to our community at our office, 2018 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, New York, 10461

The testing is Free For The Uninsured and Zero Copay For The Insured.

Walk-ins are available, but we do encourage scheduling an appointment in advance for quicker services.

For the month of March, our testing dates are May 4th and March 18th between 11:00am to 3:00pm.

We encourage you to invite your families, friends, and neighbors as we continue to practice COVID-19 Safety Guidelines and do our parts to keep the community safe through this pandemic. 

Best Regards,

New York State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez

PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON MAYOR DE BLASIO'S JULY 1 REOPENING GOAL

 

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the following statement after Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his plans to fully reopen New York City on July 1st.

"Throughout this pandemic I've been repeatedly concerned about closing too slowly and reopening too quickly. It's critical that we follow the science and put public health above politics - a standard we've frequently failed to meet. But I've also been clear that it's critical to feel - and to fuel - hope.

"Goal-setting is good - as long as we're willing to adjust that goal as circumstances shift. The July 1st designation is an ambitious but reasonable target to put forth, an aspiration that will need evaluation as we move forward with a concerted effort to increase injections and slow infection. I believe New Yorkers can meet this goal and this moment - if we continue to follow public health guidelines and get vaccinated. At the same time, we will also have to be honest, in the coming weeks, about whether we have succeeded in time for this deadline."

RAY McGUIRE RELEASES A STATEMENT REGARDING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SCOTT STRINGER

 

"My thoughts are first and foremost with the woman who has come forward. She has demonstrated incredible bravery in standing before the world and speaking her truth.

"Her accounts of sexual assault and harassment are troubling and must be taken seriously.

"For generations, women have expressed feeling obligated to accept this kind of behavior because they feared retaliation that may prevent them from future employment. Even now, women must constantly navigate uncomfortable situations at work and then manage the economic and psychological toll it has on their well-being. As a city, we must give this survivor the respect of sharing without judgment, ridicule or fear of retaliation - and then the resources to seek accountability if they so choose."

248 Days and Counting We Will Reopen on July 1, 2021

 

We will reopen back up on July 1, 2021, and there should be nothing Governor Andrew Cuomo will be able to do to stop us now that the state legislature is revoking his COVID-19 powers.

Mayoral Candidate Scott Stringer Accused Of Sexual Abuse by Former Campaign Intern Jean Kim

Pictured above are former members in the State Assembly  Scott Stringer and Jeffrey Dinowitz during the 2018 State Senate race Campaigning for different candidates in Riverdale.

 

Scott Stringer's mayoral campaign shifted into low gear when City Council Speaker Cory Johnson pulled out of the race for mayor. It was thought by some that a 1 - 2 Stringer/Johnson or 1 - 2 Johnson/Stringer ticket would put one of those two candidates for mayor into Gracie Mansion over then favorite Eric Adams.

Stringer said of the sexual accusations against Governor Cuomo that the governor should step down. The shoe is now on the other foot as it is said, because it is Stringer who is being accused of making sexual advances to Jean Kim who said Stringer did it to her while she was an intern on his 2001 Public Advocate race. 

While he does deny the accusations, Stringer claims that the two had a strictly consensual relationship that occurred before he married his current wife to whom he has two children by. 

State Senators Alessandria Biaggi, Julia Salazar, and Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou issued the following statement: 

"As survivors of childhood sexual assault, we believe survivors",

"Our commitment to a harassment free government, workplace, and society is steadfast, and our zero tolerance standard regarding sexual assault applies to abusers like Andrew Cuomo, if not more so, to our friends. This standard also applies to everyone who participates in the normalization or erasure of abuse. we always hold space for anyone to safely come forward to share their experiences, and will demand accountability accordingly."

While State Senator Jessica Ramos rescinded her endorsement of Scott Stringer for mayor, State Senator Gustavo Rivera said that he urges Scott Stringer and his campaign to demonstrate respect for all survivors by rejecting attacks on Ms. Kim as an individual, falling short of either asking for Stringer to pull out of the race for Mayor or his support of Stringer for Mayor. 

Mayoral candidates calling for Stringer to pull out of the race for mayor are Kathryn Garcia and Shaun Donovan, while Eric Adams, Ray McGuire, Dianne Morales, Maya Wiley, and Andrew Yang supported accuser Jean Kim, but would not call for Stringer to pull out of the mayoral race.