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Contact: Deborah Sturm Rausch (518) 473-9472 For Immediate Release: February 21, 2008

NYS Consumer Protection Board Announces New Recall Awareness Promotion Program (RAPP)

State Agency Collaborates with Businesses to Advance Safety in the Marketplace

Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) today announced the launch of the CPB’s new Recall Awareness Promotion Program (RAPP), a unique cooperative venture designed to increase consumer awareness about recalls with industry leaders who, as participants, strive for the gold standard in consumer safety.

“The CPB seeks to raise awareness regarding product safety in the marketplace to protect consumers,” said Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the CPB. “We are pleased to welcome our first members, the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association, the NYS Hospitality and Tourism Association and the NYS Restaurant Association to RAPP with us. The key to success of our outreach campaign is working with partners in business and service industries whose establishments interact with people on a daily basis. They have stepped up to the plate to promote product safety and recalls, and we are hoping others will follow their lead.”

RAPP participants recognize the importance of the program and:
  • Recommend that their organization and association members register with www.recalls.gov and review the CPB’s website to receive recall and product safety information.
  • Advise organization and association members and others about the importance of prompt removal of recalled products from their establishments.
  • Provide timely and relevant recall and product safety information and resources to their organization/association members and others.
  • Promote future program development and activities within their organizations/associations to advance the objectives of RAPP and proudly display the RAPP decal at their place of business.
Scott Wexler Executive Director of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association said, “Hats off to the State and the CPB for their efforts in protecting New York consumers! We are pleased to be among the first RAPP participants and eager to advance product safety and recall awareness to customers who dine in our member establishments.”

Dan Murphy, President of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association said, “We are proud to be a part of this cooperative venture aimed at increasing consumer awareness about recalls. Our Association, which represents more than 1,000 lodging facilities in New York State, is dedicated to providing timely and relevant recall information to our members so they can better serve their guests. It is the guests who ultimately drive the state's great hospitality reputation we enjoy.”

Rick Sampson, NYS Restaurant Association President and CEO said, “The New York State Restaurant Association is an association of members, for members and by members, so supporting the tenets of RAPP is a natural for us. For more than 70 years, NYSRA has been dedicated to protecting, promoting, representing, and educating our members so that they can better serve the public. RAPPing with the CPB will be a win/win for consumers as well as members. We are excited about the program and eager to pass along recall information as part of our commitment to quality and service.”

Business associations and organizations interested in RAPP membership are encouraged to visit the CPB website at www.nysconsumer.gov or, to request information, e-mail the CPB at webmaster@consumer.state.ny.us and include “RAPP Membership” in the subject line. Members adhering to the program’s principles receive a special promotional decal for their usage.

The CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is the State's top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB's core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the “Do Not Call Law”; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies.

To file a consumer complaint with the NYS Consumer Protection Board (CPB), call our toll-free hotline at 800-697-1220 or visit CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. In addition to the online complaint form, the website is home to important consumer safety information. To join the CPB’s Do Not Call Reminder list, send an e-mail to CPB's Do Not Call Reminder list