Bringing Global Food Safety Standards to Local Food Systems

View Article   The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), a gathering of countries to set food safety and labeling standards, has a reputation for being a slow deliberative body focused more on international trade than consumer protection. Yet, its rapid action to address an issue of great importance to consumers and small business owners and vendors […]

The Transformation of Consumer Payments: Benefits, Dangers, and the Need For Regulation

Consumer payments are undergoing a continuing transformation. Old devices such as Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are being used in new ways. Newer devices such as mobile phones are being used to deposit checks and transfer payments. New unregulated institutions such as fintechs play prominent roles. The changes will continue, as demonstrated by the introduction of […]

Landmark Real Estate Settlement Allows Consumers to Save Billions

The landmark court settlement with the real estate industry, approved by a judge in late November, was supposed to shake up the real estate industry, making housing more affordable by slashing agent commissions.  However, many brokers have already crafted workarounds to preserve the status quo. Fortunately, consumers can still outsmart the industry and save more […]

Documenting the Miracle of Financial Service Continuity by Puerto Rican Savings and Loan Cooperatives after Hurricane María’s Devastation

I travelled to Puerto Rico twice after Hurricane María struck the island, observing the near total destruction of the infrastructure and discussing the possibility of the development of renewable energy cooperatives as a component of a sustainable future. During those visits, I came to appreciate the strength of Puerto Rico’s mutual insurance capacity, in particular […]

Scientists and Public Policy: Lessons from the Climate Change Debate

Observers from various camps call for basing public policy on sound science. Yet, as the understanding of climate science has progressed, the relationship between scientists and government decision-makers has proved both constructive and tortuous. This history provides several lessons on the potential benefits and pitfalls of using scientific assessments to enact laws and regulations.  Thus, […]

Finding Common Ground for Consumer Cooperatives

In early December 2021, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the global apex organization for cooperatives, held its 33rd World Cooperative Congress in Seoul, Korea. Cooperators from around the globe participated both on-site and virtually. The theme of the Congress was Deepening Our Cooperative Identity. At the time, I was the Chair of the ICA Cooperative […]

Dietary Advice Over The Years

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