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The Center for Science in the Public Interest was established in 1971 as a consumer organization, focusing on health and science; specifically, it was founded by "three scientists who believed that consumers needed knowledgeable experts representing their interests before the federal government, just as industry has scientists representing its point of view."
Today the Center operates on a $2,200,000 budget that is derived primarily from its 85,000 members, foundation support and the sale of its internal publications (figures from Koek and Martin, 1988, p. 1352). To accomplish its broad objective it has established several projects and offices, including the CSPI Office of Legal Affairs, and employs 26 staffers. This office "coordinates strategies for litigation, regulatory action and legislative advocacy" in three major areas, corresponding to the center's interests: food safety and nutrition, environment and behavior, and alcohol policies.
In recent years, a great deal of CSPI litigation has involved "labeling" regulations. In Center for Science in the Public Interest v. Department of Treasury (1986), for example, it challenged "the administration's second attempt to rescind a regulation requiring the label disclosure of alcoholic beverage ingredients." A similar suit involves a challenge to the caloric labeling practices of alcoholic beverages. In another instance after the CSPI filed suit against the Food and Drug Administration, "the agency began advising pregnant women to avoid caffeine, because caffeine appeared to increase the risk of birth defects."
