WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are demanding answers from companies regarding the sale of recalled baby products on Meta’s Facebook platform. In a series of letters, House lawmakers questioned the compliance of 17 companies with the standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in relation to the listing of unsafe products.
Lawmakers expressed concern over Meta’s failure to prevent the sale of recalled products on its platform, which has put users and their children at risk of purchasing and using products that have been found to pose a serious risk of injury and potential death by the CPSC. The bipartisan group of lawmakers stated, Meta’s failure to prevent recalled products from being posted for sale on its platform has resulted in your users and their children being placed at risk.
The CPSC’s frustration with Meta extends to other major online retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target, as questions arise regarding how they handle the prevention of selling recalled or unsafe items. Lawmakers revealed that the CPSC has requested approximately 1,000 takedowns per month from Meta for the recalled Boppy Newborn Lounger in 2021.
A spokesperson for Meta responded, acknowledging the issue and stating, We take this issue seriously and when we find listings that violate our rules, we remove them. However, representatives for Amazon, Walmart, and Target have not yet responded to these concerns.
The letters were signed by Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr., Gus Bilirakis, and Jan Schakowsky, bringing attention to the urgent matter at hand.
It is crucial for companies to prioritize the safety of consumers by complying with established safety regulations. The demand for answers from lawmakers highlights the need for stricter measures in ensuring the proper handling of recalled products on online platforms.
In the interest of public safety, companies must actively monitor their platforms and swiftly remove any listings that violate safety standards. Failure to do so not only puts consumers at risk but also undermines public confidence in these platforms as a trustworthy marketplace.
Moving forward, it will be essential for companies to address these concerns raised by lawmakers and work towards adopting more effective measures to prevent the sale of recalled or unsafe products online. By doing so, they can protect consumers and support a safer online shopping experience for all.
