A small business owner who has successfully sold millions of infant sleepwear products told Fox News Digital that his business was derailed by the Biden administration’s actions, which called his product category “anti-science.”
“When we first heard about the rumors with the government, we had been in business successfully for over 10 years,” Nest Bean owner Manasi Gangan told Fox News Digital. talked about. “We have sold more than 2 million products to homes across America, and when we heard that our product line was broadly classified as unsafe, we couldn’t believe it.”
Gangan, an immigrant small business owner, told Fox News Digital that after struggling to get her second child to sleep, she started an “innovative sleepwear line” that “mimics the gentle touch of a parent.” spoke.
“All we’re trying to do is reach out to parents who need some rest and sleep, and we’ve had great success in helping these parents get a good night’s rest. ” Guangan said.
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Nest Bean owner Manasi Gangan says the Biden administration is unfairly targeting her business. (Getty Images)
In May, Nest Bean’s products, along with similar products made by Dreamland Baby, were banned following a letter from the Consumer Product Safety Commission warning of the potential dangers of heavy sleepwear products. It has been removed from the shelves of major retailers such as Amazon and Target.
Gangan told Fox News Digital that the CPSC has not done the necessary due diligence. She has conducted extensive safety research, commissioned studies showing that weighted products do not interfere with infants’ breathing, and said there have been no deaths associated with her products.
“They are claiming that this product is unsafe and we are once again confused as to why. Because it was a matter of concern,” Gangan said. “We established these products and this innovation in the industry after consulting with safety experts and drawing inspiration and advice from research and neonatal medical research. However, we did not share this information with this committee. When they refuse to pay attention, they claim that these categories of products are not safe.
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Some lawmakers, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said earlier this year that “the risks are too high to allow the use of weighted infant sleeping bags and swaddles,” and that the sleepwear category should be closed entirely. They are even pushing for a bill to ban it. Unless there is evidence that it is safe, it should not remain on the market. ”
When asked for comment, Blumenthal told FOX News Digital: “My biggest concern is that these companies may be putting the lives of children at risk. They… has sold millions of products, advertising them as safe, despite strong opposition from children.” Safety expert. ”
“Parents and caregivers of newborns, who are notoriously difficult to get rest due to intermittent infant sleep patterns, need transparent information. Encouraging parents to use these products without evidence and against expert recommendations is dangerous and flat-out irresponsible. ”
Guingan said she shared information with Blumenthal’s office and met with his staff to show her product was not dangerous, but that it was a political attempt to promote a message Democrats want. He said her suggestion that it could be an evidence-based approach “fell on deaf ears.” I go out for my family.
“The senator is intentionally feeding disinformation to voters based on political objectives,” Gangan said. “The only thing I can guess is this is an election year.”
Blumenthal’s office indicated it was open to considering a “more comprehensive” study of nested beans.
The company’s critics cite research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that warns of the potential dangers of weighted sleepwear products, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) It is claimed that multiple infant deaths have occurred.
CBS News reported that the AAP study did not test the products in real-life conditions for long periods of time, only testing the weight of five infants for two minutes.
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Nested Bean Sleepwear (Nested Bean)
Gangan alleges that CPSC Secretary Richard Trumka Jr. “inaccurately attributed multiple infant deaths,” and specifically cited one coroner’s report, which said that Nest Bean and Aggravated Products It seems to be related to a “tragic combination of proven symptoms”. Dangerous sleep habits. ”
“Groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have raised theoretical and hypothetical concerns about the potential dangers of weight gain, but it remains unclear how and what these potential risks are. “There is no research or case data to show how much weight it will present in the market weighted product,” Gangan wrote in a letter to Trumka in February. “On the other hand, there is research showing that weighted products can be used effectively and safely in hospital settings with the most vulnerable infants.Nested Bean and other companies are working to promote a better understanding of weighted products. We support independent, peer-reviewed research because of the potential issues involved. ”
Gangan told Fox News Digital that she had met with all CPSC commissioners except Trumka, who she said was “not willing to meet with me” and called her case futile.
“We met with the CPSC Chairman and other commissioners to share the data research tests we successfully completed before bringing a single product to market, as well as the tests we have completed since, and how the product performs. We shared how we can bring innovation to market, how we can bring it to market, the data, facts and science that will hopefully influence regulation and guide regulation. “We want to provide that,” Gangan said. “And rather, we were shocked to be shut down, as recently as April of 2024. Despite our repeated attempts to share information openly and honestly, Secretary Trumka has written to retailers to pressure them to stop selling our products. This is not based on data or science, but on spreading misinformation based on personal bias. This is an anti-scientific attempt.
A 2020 study published in the journal Advances in Neonatal Care concluded that “no adverse events” occurred in babies who slept under a weighted blanket during a 30-minute test session.
In a separate letter to Trumka, Gangan said, “In April 2023, CPSC’s own internal compliance staff completed its investigation of the Nested Bean product and sent a final letter to the company stating that no further action was necessary.” “I sent it to,” he wrote.
Mr. Trumka’s actions on the infant weighted sleepwear category have prompted pushback from the Republican-led House Small Business Committee, which echoes Mr. Gangan’s concerns.
“Commissioner Trumka failed to take ‘reasonable steps’ to meet the requirements of the statute before disclosing the identity of the weighted blanket manufacturer,” said the committee’s chairman, Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas). ” in a July letter to the CPSC. . “First, he could not guarantee that the information was accurate. Second, he claimed information that was not supported by scientific research.”
“The Committee is concerned that one CPSC Commissioner is putting undue pressure on entities and forcing them to unfairly remove their products from shelves, to the detriment of small businesses. Small businesses should have the opportunity to compete fairly in the marketplace without unfair competition.” Influence from the federal government — whether it’s through rulemaking or the rogue CPSC. Whether it’s through a letter from the Commissioner, America’s small businesses should have their voices heard and considered. ”
“Commissioner Trumka’s activities in this matter were conducted in his personal capacity as a member of the Commission and not on behalf of the Commission itself,” the CPSC said in a statement to Fox News Digital. said.
On July 7, 2022, during a ceremony at the White House, President Biden posthumously awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Richard Trumka, with Richard Trumka, Jr.’s acceptance. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Gangan told Fox News Digital that starting a business was a pursuit of the “American dream,” but that dream is being thwarted by government regulations, and that the Democratic administration is supporting immigrant and minority businesses. He said he had doubts.
“America is the land of possibilities, and that’s what the world knows about America. So when I came to this country, I was an immigrant with only a degree and a few dreams. I started this business to help more parents like me, but also to help women, small businesses, and others. The values we have upheld to support the truth and support scientific data have been seriously shaken by this action,” Gangan said.
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“So, on the one hand, I hear, ‘We’re going to support immigrants, minorities, and small businesses, and we’re going to defend science,’ and on the other hand, the government of the very same party that I believed in is now threatening my job. , it’s devastating for my business. I’m now questioning my own beliefs. This lost 80% of our sales and caused a lot of anxiety for consumers, the same information that was never questioned. I decided to share it with you, which I received from a customer before.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter for FOX News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email your tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
