Unfortunately, the rash of toy and food recalls this year has left families scrambling for information about what is safe to bring into the home this holiday season.

The Committee on Energy and Commerce has oversight over both the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As Chairman of the Committee, Congressman Dingell has worked aggressively on bills that would crack down on dangerous imports and give inspectors more ability to catch dangerous goods before they ever hit our store shelves

He is the author of H.R.3610, The Food and Drug Import Safety Act of 2007; The legislation would specifically create a user fee on imported food and drug shipments. Funds generated by the fee would be used to hire additional personnel to perform inspections at both the U.S. border and abroad as well as at FDA labs to increase analysis of food and drug imports. Funds would also be used to test import samples and research new testing techniques.

He is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act. Specifically designed to crackdown on dangerous toys imported into the United States, the bill establishes an outline for improving and reforming the nation’s consumer product safety system. The bill includes:

• Increased funds and staffing for the CPSC;
• A nationwide ban on products containing lead beyond specified minute amounts and third-party testing and certification for children’s products; and,
• Mandatory tracking labels for children’s products.

As you go out to shop, the Congressman encourages shoppers to arm themselves with information. There are several websites with helpful advice that you can use before you even get to the mall.

Ann Arbor's Ecology Center has completed a remarkable study; which inspected more than 1,200 items sold in Michigan stores and found that 17 percent have lead levels exceeding federal standards for paint on toys. The center said it is one of the most extensive private surveys of toxic materials in toys ever conducted.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has a list of products that have been recalled. On the CPSC website, you can subscribe to the recall lists for the latest information on products that are NOT safe for your children. On the same site, you can do a search for a specific product.

For a look at previous recalls from earlier this year, Consumers Union has compiled a list of both food and toy recalls.

The Centers for Disease Control’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is committed to the goal of eliminating elevated blood lead levels in children by 2010. The CDC’s website has valuable information on how to protect children as well as information on what to do if you are concerned about your child’s exposure.

Listen to the latest Dingellcast on Toy Safety