Home

What's New

News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Fresh Express recalls bagged salad mixes after 200 reports of parasitic infection

A microscopic parasite found in Fresh Express bagged salads has made 200 people sick and has led to 23 hospitalizations.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post

The real cost of Bayer’s Roundup settlement | Danielle Melgar

Bayer announced a settlement last week with tens of thousands of plaintiffs who alleged that glyphosate, the key ingredient in its Roundup weed killer, causes cancer. But the product is still available in stores. It’s long past the time to ban cancer-causing products from store shelves.

> Keep Reading
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

U.S. Supreme Court rules Consumer Financial Protection Bureau structure unconstitutional

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the separation-of-powers principle embedded in the Constitution prohibits Congress from giving the director of the CFPB protection from being removed for cause. This part of the decision in Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was 5-4.

> Keep Reading
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Denial of auto loan relief leads to spike in consumer complaints

An analysis of consumer complaints published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) shows that as millions of Americans remain out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, complaints about problems in obtaining auto loan relief are skyrocketing.

> Keep Reading

Pages

News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Fresh Express recalls bagged salad mixes after 200 reports of parasitic infection

A microscopic parasite found in Fresh Express bagged salads has made 200 people sick and has led to 23 hospitalizations.

> Keep Reading
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

U.S. Supreme Court rules Consumer Financial Protection Bureau structure unconstitutional

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the separation-of-powers principle embedded in the Constitution prohibits Congress from giving the director of the CFPB protection from being removed for cause. This part of the decision in Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was 5-4.

> Keep Reading
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Denial of auto loan relief leads to spike in consumer complaints

An analysis of consumer complaints published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) shows that as millions of Americans remain out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, complaints about problems in obtaining auto loan relief are skyrocketing.

> Keep Reading
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund | Health Care

Weds. panel discussion: Two major reasons consumers don’t get a fair price or effective prescription drugs

U.S. PIRG Education Fund is co-sponsoring a free Zoom panel in which panelists will discuss two ways consumers and patients are harmed by drug industry price manipulation and lack of competitive restraints: step therapy and rebate walls.

> Keep Reading

Pages

Result | Food

Researching How Tax Dollars Become Twinkies

U.S. PIRG research found that since 1995, $17 billion in agricultural subsidies have gone to corn syrup and other junk food ingredients. That’s enough to buy 2.8 billion Twinkies, and vastly more than has gone to apples and other fresh fruits and vegetables.

> Keep Reading
Report | U.S. PIRG Education Fund | Higher Ed

Fixing the Broken Textbook Market, Second Edition

The U.S. PIRG Education Fund and the Student PIRGs asked students how the high cost of college course materials affects them. 

> Keep Reading
Report | U.S. PIRG Education Fund | COVID-19

Putting Consumers First

U.S. PIRG Education Fund, the Student Borrower Protection Center and Consumer Action have released a report recommending that  CFPB should use the full extent of its authority to take immediate action to strengthen its consumer complaint tool, hold companies accountable for providing complete and timely responses to consumers, and leverage consumer complaints related to the pandemic to support oversight and regulatory action to protect consumers.

> Keep Reading
Report | U.S. PIRG Education Fund and National Taxpayers Union Foundation | Tax

Toward Common Ground 2020

Even before COVID-19, the U.S. was on track to surpass a $1 trillion deficit. Current projections are climbing much higher. Once the immediate health crisis begins to subside, lawmakers will face the challenge of adopting a 2021 federal budget in a time of reduced revenue. U.S. PIRG Education Fund and National Taxpayers Union Foundation have come together to recommend over 50 bipartisan spending reform recommendations for Congress, totaling nearly $800 billion in savings.

> Keep Reading
Report | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

The Fix Is In

Our survey of 302 independent repair technicians shows that independent shops offer more options for repair, but are struggling to access parts, service information and repair software which is necessary to fix phones — which manufacturers won’t let these independent shops have.

> Keep Reading
Report | U.S. PIRG Education Fund | Higher Ed

Automatic textbooks billing: an offer students can't refuse?

New report says deals with publishers could make college textbooks more expensive

> Keep Reading

Pages

Blog Post

The real cost of Bayer’s Roundup settlement | Danielle Melgar

Bayer announced a settlement last week with tens of thousands of plaintiffs who alleged that glyphosate, the key ingredient in its Roundup weed killer, causes cancer. But the product is still available in stores. It’s long past the time to ban cancer-causing products from store shelves.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Consumer Protection

Webinar Wednesday: Why consumers don't often get a fair price or effective prescription drug | Ed Mierzwinski

We're co-sponsoring a zoom webinar Wednesday, June 24, at noon ET on two ways consumers and patients are harmed by drug industry price manipulation and lack of competive restraints. Consumers don't get a fair price and don't always get an effective drug. Find out how to register for the "Rebate Walls and Step Therapy" event featuring leading experts. 

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | COVID-19

COVID-19 is bad. Dirty air makes it worse. | Elizabeth Ridlington

Several recent studies have suggested that air pollution may make COVID-19 infections more severe. These findings fit with previous research documenting how air pollution damages our bodies and makes us more vulnerable to infectious diseases. This new research should spur us to redouble our efforts to reduce air pollution.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | COVID-19

Superspreading events pose outsized risk of COVID-19 transmission | Abe Scarr

Public health experts are starting to draw actionable lessons about the nature of how COVID-19 spreads. In addition to maintaining best practices –physical distancing, mask wearing and hand washing – it’s best to avoid extended, crowded indoor gatherings.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post

Is COVID-19 price gouging still a problem? | Grace Brombach

A quick search of Amazon tells me yes

> Keep Reading

Pages

Blog Post

After U.S. PIRG Education Fund report, Wells Fargo eliminates some student debit card fees

After U.S. PIRG Education Fund reported on problems in its debit card practices, Wells Fargo took steps to eliminate some "surprise" fees on student cards.

> Keep Reading
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Pilgrim’s Pride recalls 60,000 pounds of chicken nuggets potentially contaminated with rubber

News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Fresh Express recalls bagged salad mixes after 200 reports of parasitic infection

A microscopic parasite found in Fresh Express bagged salads has made 200 people sick and has led to 23 hospitalizations.

Blog Post

The real cost of Bayer’s Roundup settlement

Bayer announced a settlement last week with tens of thousands of plaintiffs who alleged that glyphosate, the key ingredient in its Roundup weed killer, causes cancer. But the product is still available in stores. It’s long past the time to ban cancer-causing products from store shelves.

News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

U.S. Supreme Court rules Consumer Financial Protection Bureau structure unconstitutional

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the separation-of-powers principle embedded in the Constitution prohibits Congress from giving the director of the CFPB protection from being removed for cause. This part of the decision in Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was 5-4.

News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Denial of auto loan relief leads to spike in consumer complaints

An analysis of consumer complaints published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) shows that as millions of Americans remain out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, complaints about problems in obtaining auto loan relief are skyrocketing.

Solid Waste

New federal bill calls for U.S. to move beyond plastic

On Feb. 11, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall and U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal introduced legislation that would phase out unnecessary single-use plastics, which commonly end up clogging our landfills and polluting our environment. It also provides funding for recycling and composting infrastructure, and would shift the financial burden of managing waste and recyclables from town and city governments to the manufacturers.

 
  • COVID-19 CONSUMER TIPS
    Avoid online scams, protect your credit and more. We have assembled a set of consumer tips and guides, and will add more in the days to come.
    OUR TIPS
  • THE FIX IS IN
    Our survey shows that independent shops are struggling to access parts, service information and repair software which is necessary to fix phones — which manufacturers won’t let these independent shops have.
    OUR REPORT
  • FOOD RECALL FAILURE
    Will your supermarket warn you about hazardous food? Our survey grades 26 of the largest grocery stores in the country to determine the efficacy of their policies and practices notifying consumers about food recalls.
    OUR REPORT
  • CHAIN REACTION V
    The overuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can cause life-threatening infections in people. Our report ranks restaurant chains on their policies relating to antibiotic use in their beef supply chains.
    SEE THE GRADES

Support us

Your tax-deductible donation supports U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s work to educate consumers on the issues that matter, and the powerful interests that are blocking progress.

donate today

Learn More

You can also support U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s work through bequests, contributions from life insurance or retirement plans, securities contributions and vehicle donations. 

Find out more



U.S. PIRG Education Fund is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to getting things done.