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Consumers Union has posted a letter urging Congress to pass legislation requiring higher standards for manufacturers, importers and retailers to stem the flow of dangerous foods and consumer products into this country and, ultimately, into our homes. Sign on and tell your representative that you want higher standards, more inspections and safer products.

UPDATE: Not a moment too soon.

US authorities recalled some 440,000 Chinese-made toys Wednesday because of high levels of lead, just hours before US children were set to use some of them while celebrating Halloween.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled 380,000 Galaxy Warriors figures, 43,000 sets of plastic disguise teeth, 16,000 sets of military-style Elite Operations action figures distributed by the global Toys R Us chain, and 1,500 Ribbit board games.

The recall of the "ugly teeth," which were found by an independent test team to contain 100 times the permissible level of lead, was the latest in the run-up to Halloween, which has already seen a record number of products recalled by the CPSC for lead violations.

The latest round of recalls came amid calls for the resignation of CPSC chief, Nancy Nord, who has been accused by Democratic lawmakers of doing too little to stem the flow of dangerous toys from China into the United States.

Nord, an appointee of President George W. Bush, has followed the Republican executive's deregulatory line and stood firm against proposed legislation seeking to increase the CPSC's authority and staff.

The safety watchdog has one full-time toy tester, an expert report has said.

UPDATE 2: How we got here. Go read this.