Our Victories
It’s not enough to just fight for health — we have to WIN. We develop solutions that create real, impactful change. Here are some of the major victories we’ve won in the past two decades.
Our Victories:
Defend Our Health has driven major wins for safer food by tackling toxic chemicals head-on. Through bold legislation, corporate pressure, and groundbreaking investigations, we’ve reshaped how food is packaged, sourced, and regulated—protecting families from harmful exposures and setting new national standards.
We banned toxic phthalates and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from food packaging in Maine – while US FDA refuses to follow the science and protect our food, Maine leads the way!
Our organizing and campaigning led the state of Maine to launch the first investigation of PFAS in sewage sludge in the country, to address contamination of farms and our food supply.
Speak up for safer food—your voice helps eliminate toxic chemicals and protect families nationwide.
Drinking water is one of our most precious—and threatened—resources. We’re fighting to keep it safe and healthy for all.
In 2019 and 2020, our staff served on the Maine Governor’s PFAS Task Force, which recommended the state take action to expand water testing, investigate PFAS-contaminated sites and phase out existing uses of PFAS to prevent future pollution.
In 2021, we helped the Maine Legislature pass a law for one of the strictest limits for PFAS in drinking water and a law that will require schools to test drinking water for lead and PFAS, helping to protect children’s developing brains.
Speak up for safer water— your voice helps eliminate toxic chemicals and protect families nationwide.
We successfully leverage state policy, regulatory action, corporate engagement, and consumer pressure to to remove toxic chemicals from countless products in Maine and internationally.
In 2021, we helped the Maine Legislature pass a first-in-the-nation law to eliminate toxic PFAS from products we use every day. We’re working with regulators in Maine and across the country to ensure that PFAS products are off the shelves and safer options are easily available to everyone!
Speak up for safer products—your voice helps eliminate toxic chemicals and protect families nationwide.
Defend Our Health is working to phase out toxic plastics in consumer products, especially those intended for young children and people who are trying to build their families.
