DES MOINES, Iowa -- The corporate meat industry is the target of a new campaign that asks consumers to boycott products from large operations. Those behind the effort point to recent situations in Iowa as examples of longstanding issues that need to be resolved, and cite a wide range of issues including worker safety, animal welfare, environmental impact and consumer health.

The "Boycott Big Meat" campaign is being led by a number of organizations, including the Organic Consumers Association. That group's international director, Ronnie Cummins, said they hope the power of consumers gets the attention of policymakers, as well as the industry itself.

"We're calling on consumers to think when they pull out their wallet and to stop buying meat from the big meat companies," Cummins said.

Instead, the campaign suggests consumers turn to items produced in ways that aren't as harmful to the environment and come from smaller, independent operations where safety and fair wages are a priority.

Workplace protections were a key issue at a number of meat plants in Iowa and other states this past spring, as coronavirus cases soared at several facilities. A key trade group, the North American Meat Institute, did not respond to a request for comment before deadline.

Darryl Morin, Forward Latino president, said they want to ensure the industry is held accountable for exploiting meat-plant workers, many of whom are people of color, during the COVID-19 crisis.

"We are seeing lives lost to the interest of corporate profits," Morin said.

Sherri Dugger, executive director at the Socially Responsible Agricultural Project, said they want Congress to approve measures such as the House version of the Farm Systems Reform Act, which she said could help level the playing field when it comes to regulating meat producers.

"We really want to push for policy that helps to transform these rural communities where these operations exist - these industrial operations, meat-packing plants, as well as the concentrated animal feeding operations - that we want to help transition to a better food system," Dugger said.

The coalition said that includes products considered organic and regenerative that are pasture-raised and come from grass-fed animals.

The Farm Systems Reform Act would place an immediate moratorium on the construction of new or expanding large factory farms, while phasing out existing operations. Opponents of the bill say it could lead to higher costs for consumers.

But the coalition argues cheaper products that come from big factories result in a lot of hidden costs, including taxpayer-funded subsidies and environmental clean-up and health care costs related to harmful drugs and chemicals in the products.

This is National Consumer Protection Week, and the Arizona PIRG Education Fund wants people to think about what they can do to protect their valuable documents - both physically and digitally.

The group is offering a new guide to help. The fund's consumer privacy director, R.J. Cross, said it is smart to "disaster proof" documents in case of an emergency such as a wildfire or flood.

She said now is the time to make a plan so you can save yourself a headache down the line.

"Having digital copies of sometimes your Social Security number or having your birth certificate can make it easier for you to navigate the process of those insurance claims," she said, "and the process of getting replacement hard copies if you're in that situation."

She added that when deciding to store documents online "in the cloud," it's a matter of determining the right combination of security and convenience. She recommended using a cloud service that offers what's known as end-to-end encryption.

The guide is online at pirg.org/resources.

Cross explained that end-to-end encryption offers an extra layer of protection, but it does come with a tradeoff: Once you've encrypted your files, you can't afford to lose your encryption key. If so, she said, you won't be able to access your documents.

"When you go from an end-to-end encryption, it is really secure, so secure that even the company that owns the cloud isn't going to be able to help you if you lose that key," she said. "So you do want to take good care of it."

She suggested printing out the encryption keys and keeping that paper in a safe place.

Cross said she realizes some people may not entirely trust a cloud service. That's why she also suggested scanning documents and loading them onto an encrypted thumb drive.

"Probably the last thing you want to do is be standing in line to get a new copy of your marriage license," she said. "The question is, how can I ameliorate the odds that I am going to add way more on my plate after a disaster than I have to?"

As National Consumer Protection Week continues, watchdogs remind policymakers about the alarming presence of scams targeting the general public. In Kentucky, a bill addressing gift-card scams cleared a legislative hurdle this week. Two years ago, Americans lost a record $10 billion in scams, and authorities say gift cards that are tampered with - before they're purchased - are one way in which consumers are being defrauded.

Gary Adkins, volunteer state president with AARP Kentucky, said these are the gift cards you typically see on kiosks in retail stores. When no one is looking, the scammers obtain sensitive information from the back of the item.

"And once the card is activated, these scammers can collect money off that," he explained.

Meaning the intended recipient can't use the card, and the person who bought it lost money that's hard to recoup. The Kentucky bill, approved by the state Senate Tuesday, would elevate this crime to a "Class D" felony. Opponents of a similar bill worry about unintended consequences because of language that says a person found with at least two tampered cards is presumed to be up to no good.

Beyond policy action, Adkins said all populations need to get this on their radar by loading up on helpful tips to avoid being scammed. Organizations like his are teaming up with the law enforcement community to share that information, so that the current crisis doesn't grow into something even worse.

"It's an all effort in order to try to help protect our folks that are here in the Commonwealth," he continued.

For gift-card scams, experts say safeguards include double checking the balance right after purchasing it and holding on to the receipt. Later this spring, AARP will host informational events around Kentucky. Times, dates and registration details are on the group's website.

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and it remains unclear if Minnesota will legalize online sports betting. Research is emerging about whether players in other states are simply having fun with it or if there are troubling patterns.

Since a federal ban on sports betting was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018, more than 30 states have legalized it, with many opening up access to online options like FanDuel.

Justin Balthrop, University of Kansas finance professor, helped lead a study into the relationship between placing sports bets online and the added financial stress for vulnerable households.

"It's extremely concerning to me to know that money is being taken from longer-term savings vehicles and put into something that is more or less guaranteed to grind down to zero over the long term, if you keep betting," he explained.

In other words, the research says sports betting isn't simply substituting for other discretionary spending. Balthrop's study found a 14% reduction in net investments among households using these apps.

Researchers are not taking a stance on these laws, but want to inform policymakers as they discuss things like adding safeguards. The Minnesota Legislature has debated the issue but has yet to get a bill across the finish line.

Balthrop said he understands the pressure legislators feel to legalize sports betting and not lose revenue to neighboring states. But as they consider the idea, he urged them to think about future scenarios -- such as the loss of personal savings pushing more people into social assistance programs or food banks.

"If that increases tenfold in the future, then those are tax monies that are going to need to be spent in the future that maybe outweigh the benefit in the short term," he continued.

Other early research indicates online sports gambling isn't creating widespread problems yet. However, Balthrop hopes for more studies that look into how friends and family are affected by excessive betting.

Meanwhile, separate findings from experts in California reveal lower credit scores and increased bankruptcy filings. Industry leaders say regulatory structures in active states prevent users from being exploited by illegal markets.


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