Manasi Gangan, the owner of Nested Bean, a company that has successfully sold millions of infant sleepwear products, is accusing the Biden administration of crushing her business with what she calls ‘anti-science’ regulations. Gangan claims that the administration’s actions, targeting her product category, have derailed her company’s growth and success.
Gangan, an immigrant small business owner, started Nested Bean after struggling to get her second child to sleep. Her innovative line of sleepwear was designed to mimic a parent’s gentle touch and provide comfort to infants. The company thrived, achieving significant success with over 2 million products sold nationwide. However, in May 2024, their products, alongside similar offerings from Dreamland Baby, were abruptly pulled from shelves at major retailers like Amazon and Target. This was triggered by a letter from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warning of potential dangers associated with weighted sleepwear products.
Gangan vehemently disputes the CPSC’s claims, stating that they haven’t conducted thorough due diligence. She points to extensive safety research she commissioned, including a study demonstrating that her weighted products do not hinder infant breathing. She emphasizes that there hasn’t been a single fatality attributed to her products. Despite providing this evidence, Gangan claims the CPSC refused to acknowledge their findings and insists on classifying this category of products as unsafe.
Adding fuel to the fire, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has even proposed legislation to ban weighted sleepwear products altogether. He argues that the potential risks outweigh the benefits, despite Gangan’s claims of safety and the lack of supporting evidence for his assertion. Blumenthal’s office, however, suggests they are open to considering a more comprehensive study from Nested Bean.
Gangan argues that the CPSC’s stance is based on political agendas and misinformation, particularly pointing to Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. who she claims has inaccurately linked multiple infant deaths to weighted sleepwear. Gangan cites a specific coroner’s report that didn’t mention Nested Bean or a weighted product and appears to be related to other unsafe sleep practices. She maintains that the CPSC is pushing a narrative that lacks scientific backing, and that the real danger lies in denying parents access to safe and effective sleep solutions.
The situation has drawn attention from the Republican-led House Small Business Committee, who echoes Gangan’s concerns about the CPSC’s actions. The committee criticizes Commissioner Trumka Jr. for his actions, claiming that he has exerted undue pressure on retailers to remove products from their shelves without sufficient evidence. This, they argue, unfairly hinders the ability of small businesses to compete in the market.
While the CPSC maintains that Trumka’s actions were conducted in his individual capacity, Gangan firmly believes that her business is a victim of a political agenda. She sees this as a direct attack on her dream, her hard work, and her commitment to supporting women and small businesses. The situation, she says, has led to an 80% drop in sales and generated fear among her customers, forcing her to defend a product that was previously universally accepted.
This case raises serious concerns about the impact of government regulations on small businesses and the American Dream. While the administration claims to support immigrants, minorities, and small businesses, this story reveals a different reality. Gangan’s experience shines a light on the potential for bureaucratic overreach and the need for transparency and scientific evidence to guide regulation. This is not just a story about a single company, but a reminder of the potential consequences when political agendas outweigh the needs of small businesses and their contributions to the economy.
