ConsumerAffairs News

Consumer product safety recall roundup for September 04, 2026

News Desk — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:49:13 +0000

Kids' toys, power banks, and household cleaners are part of this week's recall roundup

September 4, 2026

Recall Roundup: New warnings on toys, food, furniture and more

This roundup covers newly announced recalls and safety warnings from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Food and Drug Administration.

SHEIN spiral toys pose choking risk

SHEIN is recalling spiral stacking toys for young children because the products contain banned small balls that can cause a deadly choking emergency.

The toys violate the small ball ban for products intended for children under age 3, creating a serious choking hazard.
About 963 units were sold on SHEIN.com from September 2025 through May 2026 for $6 to $16.
Consumers should stop using the toys immediately, take them away from children and contact SHEIN for a full refund.

SHEIN Distribution Corporation of Los Angeles is recalling its Spiral Toy, a spinning toy sold with stackable colored platforms and yellow plastic balls topped with bear heads, because the small ball components are unsafe for toddlers. One version also includes a basket and a bull head. The CPSC said the toy was marketed for children under 3 and violates federal rules designed to prevent choking deaths.

The hazard

The recalled toys contain small balls, which are prohibited in toys intended for children younger than 3 because they can lodge in a childs airway. CPSC said the hazard can lead to serious injury or death. No incidents or injuries had been reported as of the recall announcement.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled toys right away, remove them from childrens reach and contact SHEIN for a full refund. The company said buyers will be asked to confirm that they disposed of the entire toy, including the small balls.

Company contact

SHEIN: 833-853-8668, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday; email uscsteam@shein.com; online at https://us.shein.com/product-recalls/list or https://us.shein.com and click Product Recalls.

Source

XO Poppy power banks pose fire risk

Truststone Group is recalling XO Poppy magnetic wireless power banks after regulators said the lithium-ion batteries can overheat and ignite.

The lithium-ion battery can overheat and catch fire, creating fire and burn hazards.
About 32,400 power banks were sold exclusively at TJX and Marshalls stores nationwide for about $15.
Consumers should stop using the power banks immediately and contact Truststone Group for a full refund by virtual gift card.

Truststone Group LLC of New York is recalling XO Poppy Power Trip Magnetic Wireless Power Banks sold at TJX and Marshalls. The portable chargers contain lithium-ion batteries that can overheat and ignite during use, posing a risk to consumers who carry or charge them near flammable materials.

The hazard

CPSC said the battery in the recalled power banks can overheat and catch fire, which can cause burns or property damage. No incidents or injuries had been reported at the time of the recall.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled power banks immediately and contact Truststone Group for a full refund. The company said refunds will be issued in the form of a virtual gift card that can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Company contact

Truststone Group: 833-820-0888, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; email xopowerbank@realtimeresults.net; online at https://www.recallrtr.com/xopowerbank.

Source

Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners may contain bacteria

Clorox Puerto Rico is recalling millions of scented Mistolin and Lestoil cleaners sold in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands because they may contain bacteria that can cause serious infections in vulnerable users.

The cleaners may contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause serious infection in people with weakened immune systems or medical devices.
About 6.3 million bottles were sold at Walmart, Sams Club, Costco and other major retailers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Consumers should stop using the affected scented cleaners immediately, register the product online and dispose of it in its container with household trash.

Clorox Manufacturing Company of Puerto Rico is recalling scented Mistolin Dilutable Cleaners and scented Lestoil Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaners with certain date codes beginning with PR01. The recall covers scented bottles in multiple sizes sold only in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Regulators said the products may contain bacteria that can be dangerous if inhaled, splashed into the eyes or introduced through broken skin.

The hazard

The recalled cleaners may contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental organism commonly found in soil and water. People with weakened immune systems or external medical devices face a greater risk of serious infection that may require treatment, while healthy people are usually less affected. No incidents or injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled cleaners immediately. To obtain a refund, consumers will need to register at the companys recall site and submit a photo of the 12-digit UPC on the label and a photo of the date code on the bottle; eligible consumers should then dispose of the product in its original container with household trash.

Company contact

Clorox Puerto Rico: 855-215-5439, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET; email Mistolinrecall@sedgwick.com; online at www.mistolinrecall.com or https://puerto-rico.mistolin.co/ and click Recall Information.

Source

Alanca dressers can tip over

Nanjing Wu Hai Smart Home Appliance Store is recalling Alanca 6-drawer dressers because the units can tip over if not anchored, creating a deadly danger for children.

The dressers are unstable if not anchored to a wall, posing tip-over and entrapment hazards that can seriously injure or kill children.
About 261 dressers were sold on Wayfair.com from April 2025 through June 2026 for $206 to $240.
Consumers should stop using the dressers if they are not anchored, keep children away and seek a full refund.

Nanjing Wu Hai Smart Home Appliance Store of China is recalling Alanca-branded 6-Drawer Wood Dressers sold in brown and white. The units measure about 15.75 inches wide, 57 inches long and 31.5 inches tall. CPSC said the dressers do not meet the federal clothing storage unit standard required by the STURDY Act.

The hazard

If the dresser is not anchored to a wall, it can tip over and trap or crush a child. CPSC said the units violate the mandatory safety standard for clothing storage units. No incidents or injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled dressers immediately if they are not anchored to the wall and move them to an area children cannot access. To receive a refund, consumers will be asked to mark the top, front and sides with RECALLED, remove all drawers and send photos of the marked, disassembled dresser to the company.

Company contact

Nanjing Wu Hai Smart Home Appliance Store: email Nanjingdresserrecall@NanjingWuhai.com.

Source

Gizoon dressers fail tip-over standard

Gizoon Direct is recalling six-drawer double dressers because the furniture can tip over and entrap children if it is not anchored to the wall.

The dressers are unstable if they are not anchored and violate the federal STURDY Act safety standard.
About 4,396 units were sold on Amazon.com from May 2025 through August 2026 for $138 to $171.
Consumers should stop using the dressers if unanchored, keep children away and contact Gizoon Direct for a refund.

Airiva LLC, doing business as Gizoon Direct, is recalling Gizoon-branded six-drawer double wood dressers sold in white and black. The dressers measure about 47.3 inches wide, 15.7 inches long and 31.5 inches tall. Regulators said the units are unstable when not anchored and do not comply with mandatory clothing storage safety rules.

The hazard

The recalled dressers can tip over if they are not attached to a wall, creating both tip-over and entrapment hazards for children. CPSC said the products violate the mandatory standard for clothing storage units. No incidents or injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled dressers immediately if they are not anchored to the wall and place them where children cannot reach them. For a refund, consumers will need to write RECALLED on the top and all sides of the dresser, email a photo of the marked unit to Gizoon Direct and then dispose of the product.

Company contact

Gizoon Direct: email office@gizoon.com; online at https://gizoon.com/pages/gizoon-recall or https://gizoon.com and click Recall.

Source

Elmo teether parts can detach

Skip Hop is recalling Baby Sesame Street Elmo Silicone Teethers because the black eyes can come off if the toy is frozen, creating a choking risk.

The teethers black eyes can detach when frozen, posing a serious choking hazard.
About 22,660 were sold in the United States, with another 3,177 sold in Canada, for about $12.
Consumers should stop using the teether immediately and contact Skip Hop for a refund in the form of a gift card.

Skip Hop Inc. is recalling the Baby Sesame Street Elmo Silicone Teether, model 9R263210, sold with Elmos red face, a blue textured key and a fabric crayon box. The toy was sold at Carters stores and online. The company said the eyes may detach if the teether has been frozen, turning a soothing toy into a potential choking hazard.

The hazard

The detached eyes are small enough to present a choking risk to babies and toddlers. Skip Hop said it received four reports of eyes detaching, though no injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled teether immediately and take it away from children. Skip Hop said buyers can go to its recall website to obtain a refund in the form of a gift card and get instructions for disposing of the product.

Company contact

Skip Hop: 800-692-4674, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; online at www.skiphoprecall.com or www.skiphop.com and click Product Recalls.

Source

Squeezy Dumplings contain dangerous water beads

Chenyuanhui is recalling GIHNJSI Squeezy Dumplings toys sold on Amazon because the water beads inside can expand if swallowed and cause life-threatening injuries.

The toys contain water beads that can cause ingestion, choking and intestinal obstruction hazards inside a childs body.
About 8,000 units were sold on Amazon.com from May 2026 through June 2026 for about $20.
Consumers should stop using the toys immediately, mark them recalled, dispose of them and request a refund.

Xiamen Liuhui Electric Technology Co. Ltd., doing business as Chenyuanhui, is recalling GIHNJSI Squeezy Dumplings toys sold online at Amazon. The translucent squishy balls have cartoon faces and contain glitter-like particles and water beads, and they come packed in a tan plastic container shaped like a bamboo steamer. CPSC said the toys present serious hazards if a child swallows the water beads.

The hazard

If ingested, water beads can expand inside the body and lead to choking, intestinal blockage, vomiting, dehydration, severe discomfort and even death. CPSC said no incidents or injuries had been reported, but the hazard is considered serious because the beads may not appear dangerous before ingestion.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled toys immediately and keep them away from children. To obtain a refund, the company said consumers should write RECALLED on the toy and the tan container, throw the product away and email a photo of the disposed item.

Company contact

Chenyuanhui: email GIHNJSI_recall@163.com.

Source

Amana wall units can catch fire

Daikin Comfort Technologies Manufacturing is recalling Amana through-the-wall air conditioners and heat pumps because an electrical component can short and emit flames.

The snubber circuit can short and emit flames, creating a fire hazard.
About 4,633 units were sold in the United States, with another 126 sold in Canada, for $625 to $900.
Consumers should stop using the units immediately, cut the cord and submit photos to seek a full refund.

Daikin Comfort Technologies Manufacturing is recalling Amana through-the-wall air conditioners and heat pumps sold through direct sales and distribution customers nationwide. The recall centers on the units snubber circuit, which can fail and create a fire risk. These are higher-priced wall units typically used in residential or hospitality settings.

The hazard

CPSC said the snubber circuit can emit flames if it shorts. Daikin said it received two reports of a control-board component shorting, though no injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled unit immediately and contact Daikin to request a full refund. The company said consumers must provide contact information, cut the products power cord and upload photos of the serial number and cut cord to complete the refund process.

Company contact

Daikin Comfort Technologies Manufacturing: 833-730-0939, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday; online at https://www.amana-ptac.com/amana-ttw-wrac-recall-2 or www.amana-ptac.com and click Product Recall.

Source

Mondraker handlebars can crack in use

MONDRAKER USA is recalling certain mountain bicycles equipped with ONOFF S9 Carbon MTB handlebars because the bars may fracture and cause riders to crash.

The handlebars may crack or break during use, leading to loss of control and a fall hazard.
About 177 bicycles were sold in the United States, with another 52 sold in Canada, for roughly $5,000 to $12,000.
Consumers should stop using affected bikes immediately and arrange for a free replacement handlebar.

MONDRAKER USA, LLC is recalling Mondraker mountain bicycles equipped with ONOFF S9 Carbon MTB handlebars. The bikes were sold through specialty bicycle retailers, including Evolucion Innovations and The Path Bike Shop. The problem is with the carbon handlebar, which may crack or fracture during riding.

The hazard

If the handlebar fails while the bike is in use, the rider can lose control and fall. The company received five reports of handlebars breaking, including two injuries involving falls that caused minor abrasions.

What to do

Consumers should stop using affected bicycles immediately and check whether their bike is included by using the serial-number verification tool on Mondrakers recall page. If the bike is affected, consumers should contact an authorized Mondraker dealer to arrange a free replacement of the handlebar.

Company contact

MONDRAKER USA: 656-225-2994, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday to Friday; email usa@mondraker.com; online at https://mondraker.com/wo/en/recall-s9.

Source

Branch chair backrests can detach

Branch is recalling ergonomic office chairs because the backrests can come loose, creating a fall hazard for seated users.

The backrests can detach from the chair, causing users to fall.
About 16,000 chairs were sold in the United States, with another 180 sold in Canada, for $320 to $350.
Consumers should stop using the chairs immediately and request a free repair kit from Branch.

Bureau Office Inc., doing business as Branch, is recalling Ergonomic Chairs sold online through BranchFurniture.com, Amazon, West Elm, The Container Store, Office Depot and other websites. The recall affects chairs whose backrests may separate from the frame. The company is offering a repair rather than a refund.

The hazard

A detached backrest can cause a consumer to lose support and fall backward. Branch said it received 11 reports of backrests detaching, though no injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled chairs immediately and contact Branch for a free repair kit that includes a replacement backrest, three bolts, an Allen key and installation instructions. Buyers will be asked to determine whether their chair is affected and submit photos of the manufacture label and removed backrest to obtain the repair kit.

Company contact

Branch: email customersupport@branchfurniture.com; online at http://www.branchfurniture.com/recall or https://www.branchfurniture.com and click Recall Information in the Support section.

Source

Aila+Aiden baby loungers unsafe for infants

CPSC is warning consumers to stop using Aila+Aiden Baby Loungers because the products violate infant sleep safety rules and pose fall and entrapment dangers.

The loungers have sides that are too low, openings that are too wide and no stand, creating fall and entrapment hazards for infants.
The products were sold on Amazon.com from December 2023 through June 2026 for about $46 and may have been sold by other third-party sellers.
Consumers should stop using the loungers immediately, remove the foam padding, cut the cover in half and dispose of the product.

CPSC issued a consumer warning for Aila+Aiden Baby Loungers sold online, saying the products create an unsafe sleep environment for infants. The loungers were sold on Amazon and may have been offered in additional colors and prints by third-party sellers. Unlike a standard recall, the warning does not list a company remedy or firm contact information.

The hazard

According to CPSC, the sides are too low to contain an infant, the enclosed openings at the foot are wider than allowed and the loungers do not have a stand. Those design issues create serious fall and entrapment hazards and can cause death or severe injury if the product is used for infant sleep or on elevated surfaces.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the baby loungers immediately. CPSC said owners should remove the foam padding, cut the cover in half and dispose of both pieces, and they should not sell or give away the product.

Company contact

No firm contact information was provided in the warning. Consumers can review the CPSC notice for details and follow the agencys disposal guidance.

Source

Squishy bun toys contain water beads

CPSC is warning consumers to throw away Ivyapingdianpus Squishy Bun toys because the products contain dangerous water beads that can be fatal if swallowed.

The toys violate the water bead safety standard and pose deadly ingestion, choking and obstruction hazards.
The toys were sold on Amazon.com in June 2026 and may also have been sold by other third-party sellers and websites.
Consumers should stop using the toys immediately and dispose of them rather than reselling or giving them away.

CPSC issued a warning about Ivyapingdianpus Squishy Bun toys, which are dumpling-shaped squishy balls with glitter-like particles and water beads inside. The toys come in a tan plastic container shaped like a bamboo steamer. The agency said the products violate the mandatory standard for toys containing water beads.

The hazard

Water beads can expand after being swallowed, which can lead to choking and internal obstruction. CPSC said that creates a risk of serious injury or death, especially for young children who may mistake the toy or its contents for something edible.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the squishy bun toys immediately and dispose of them. CPSC said the products should not be sold, donated or passed along to other households.

Company contact

CPSC asked consumers to report incidents involving injury or product defects at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Source

Sangohe bed rails pose entrapment risk

CPSC is warning consumers to stop using Sangohe Adult Portable Bed Rails because users can become trapped in or around the rail system.

Users can become entrapped within the bed rail or between the rail and mattress, and the rails also fail stability and strap requirements.
The products were sold on Amazon.com from August 2023 through February 2026 for about $90 to $110.
Consumers should stop using the bed rails immediately, dispose of them and avoid reselling or giving them away.

CPSC issued a safety warning covering Sangohe Adult Portable Bed Rails, including model 504Q and model 504E. The rails were sold online at Amazon. The agency said the products violate the mandatory standard for adult portable bed rails and can create deadly entrapment and asphyxiation hazards.

The hazard

When attached to a bed, users can become trapped inside the rail or in the gap between the rail and the side of the mattress. CPSC also said the rails do not meet structural stability and retention-strap requirements, which adds a fall hazard.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled bed rails immediately and dispose of them. CPSC said the products should not be sold, donated or transferred to anyone else.

Company contact

CPSC asked consumers to report any incidents involving injury or product defects at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Source

Great Value berries face E. coli recall

An expanded recall now includes one lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend after concerns about possible E. coli O145 contamination.

The berries may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145, which can cause severe stomach illness and, in some cases, kidney complications.
The affected 10-ounce product was shipped to select Walmart stores in 16 states under lot code 6040 01-6.
Consumers should not eat the berries and should discard them or return them to Walmart for a full refund.

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. expanded an earlier recall to include one lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 OZ. The frozen fruit was shipped to select Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. The concern is possible contamination with Escherichia coli O145:H28.

The hazard

E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody and vomiting. While many healthy people recover within a week, some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that is especially dangerous for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

What to do

Consumers who have Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend 10 OZ with lot code 6040 01-6 should not consume it. The product should be thrown away or returned to Walmart for a full refund.

Company contact

Joshua Weiss: Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612.

Source

B. Braun saline recalled over particles

B. Braun Medical has recalled certain 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection containers because they may contain particulate matter that can cause life-threatening complications if infused.

The recalled saline may contain iron oxide, cellulose, polystyrene or other particulate matter that can block blood vessels or trigger dangerous reactions.
The product was distributed nationwide to hospitals and healthcare facilities from late February through early August 2026 in three lots.
Customers with the recalled product should stop using it and return it to the place of purchase for replacement.

B. Braun Medical Inc. issued a voluntary nationwide recall of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection USP, 100 mL, in a 150 mL PAB container. The recalled product was sent to hospital and healthcare facilities across the country. The company said the issue involves visible and nonvisible particulate matter in specific lots: J6B435, J6B444 and J6B457.

The hazard

Infusing particulate matter into the bloodstream can cause pulmonary emboli, blockage of other blood vessels, tissue death, phlebitis, immune-system activation, organ dysfunction and hemolysis. FDA said the product has a reasonable probability of causing life-threatening adverse health consequences.

What to do

Distributors, healthcare providers and other customers with the recalled saline should stop using it and return it to the place of purchase. B. Braun said it is notifying customers by mail and arranging for return and replacement of the recalled product.

Company contact

Consumers: recalls@bbraunusa.com. Media: allison.longenhagen@bbraunusa.com.

Source

Epinephrine vials recalled for particles and sterility

American Regent is recalling three lots of Epinephrine Injection because of particulate matter and cracked vials that may compromise sterility.

The product may contain particulate matter, and cracked vials may allow contamination by compromising sterility.
The recall covers three lots distributed nationwide in the United States to distributors, retailers, healthcare facilities and patients.
Users should stop using the affected vials and return them to the place of purchase or discard them.

American Regent Inc. issued a voluntary nationwide recall of three lots of Epinephrine Injection, USP 30 mg/30 mL (1 mg/mL) multi-dose vials. The affected lots are 25128L1C0, 25280L1C0 and 26108L1C0. The company said both particulate matter and lack of sterility assurance are behind the recall.

The hazard

Particulate matter administered intravenously can block blood vessels, cause clotting, damage organs and in severe cases lead to death. FDA also warned that cracked vials may compromise sterility, increasing the risk of contamination, infection and other serious patient harm.

What to do

Distributors, retailers, healthcare facilities and patients should stop using the affected product immediately. American Regent said the recalled vials should be returned to the place of purchase or discarded, and the company is arranging for returns and replacements.

Company contact

American Regent customer service: 1-800-645-1706.

Source

Infused olive oil uses unapproved garlic ingredient

LMSI LLC/Kofinas Olive Oil is recalling its Garlic Mediterranean Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil because it was made with a garlic essential oil not approved for culinary use.

The product contains a garlic essential oil that is not approved for food use.
The recall covers 500 mL, 250 mL and 100 mL bottles sold at two Cincinnati locations and through the company website.
Consumers should stop using the oil and contact the company if they experienced a reaction or need refund information.

LMSI LLC, operating as Kofinas Olive Oil, issued a voluntary recall of its Garlic Mediterranean Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The product was sold at the companys Montgomery Store & Infusion Kitchen, at Findlay Market in Cincinnati and online through www.kofinasoliveoil.com. The issue is the use of a garlic essential oil that is not approved for culinary use.

The hazard

The FDA notice said consumers who show signs of an allergic reaction or food-borne illness should contact a physician immediately. While the recall notice does not list specific lots, it covers the companys recalled garlic-infused olive oil in multiple bottle sizes.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled oil. The company said customers who report a reaction to the oil will receive a full refund, and consumers who have concerns should contact the firm directly.

Company contact

Kofinas Olive Oil: 513-325-5502 or 513-981-1412.

Source

Chocolatey Eyeballs lack milk warning

Crystal Temptations issued an allergy alert for Chocolatey Eyeballs because the products contain undeclared milk.

The candies contain milk that is not declared on the label, creating a potentially life-threatening allergy risk.
The products were distributed in 13 states through Marshalls, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and Sierra Trading Post stores.
Consumers with milk allergies should not eat the product and should destroy it, then contact the company with proof of purchase for a refund.

Crystal Temptations issued an allergy alert covering Chocolatey Eyeballs sold in 7-ounce, 10-ounce, 10.5-ounce, 11-ounce and 16-ounce packages. The affected products were distributed in Arizona, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Indiana, Nevada, California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and Wyoming. The problem is undeclared milk.

The hazard

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk may suffer a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the candy. The FDA notice identifies several affected style numbers, including 54040-CHEY, 54077-CHEY, 58008-CHEY, 58089-CHEY and 54083-CHEY.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the recalled Chocolatey Eyeballs should destroy the product and not consume it. Refunds are not available at the point of sale, and consumers must contact Crystal Temptations with proof of purchase to obtain a refund.

Company contact

Crystal Temptations: 1-201-246-7990.

Source

Lipofit supplement contains hidden drugs

Ana Salazar Modela Tu Cuerpo is recalling Lipofit Extreme 2.0 Fat Burner because testing found undeclared fluoxetine and 2,4-dinitrophenol, a combination linked to severe and potentially fatal reactions.

The supplement contains hidden fluoxetine and 2,4-dinitrophenol, which can trigger heart problems, seizures, dangerously high body temperature and other life-threatening effects.
The recall covers Lot 25M12F with expiration date 09/2027, sold directly to U.S. consumers online.
Consumers should stop using the product immediately, keep it away from others and contact the company for disposal instructions.

Ana Salazar Modela Tu Cuerpo Inc. issued a nationwide voluntary recall of Lipofit Extreme 2.0 Fat Burner Dietary Supplement. The recalled product, lot 25M12F with expiration date 09/2027, was sold online directly to individual consumers in the United States. FDA said the supplement contains two undeclared substances that can dramatically raise the risk of serious harm.

The hazard

According to the recall notice, users may experience nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, headaches, dangerous heart rhythm problems, rapid heart rate, cardiac arrest, seizures, abnormal bleeding and suicidal thoughts. Long-term exposure can also damage the eyes, skin, bone marrow, nervous system and heart, and can cause dangerously high body temperature and rapid breathing.

What to do

Consumers who have the affected supplement should stop using it immediately and keep it separated from children and other people. The company said customers should not sell, give away or transfer the product and should contact the firm for instructions on how to dispose of it.

Company contact

Ana Salazar Modela Tu Cuerpo Inc.: (954) 305-1004 or yandrydy@gmail.com.

Source

Robust Radish Mix contamination risk expands

Everything Sprouts expanded its recall to include Robust Radish Mix because the sprouts may be contaminated with STEC or Salmonella.

The sprouts may contain Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or Salmonella, both of which can cause serious gastrointestinal illness.
The recall covers 5-ounce cups with barcode 087906000075 and lots 223, 226, 230 and 233 distributed in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Consumers should discard the sprouts immediately and sanitize any surfaces or containers they touched.

Everything Sprouts LLC expanded a voluntary recall to include Robust Radish Mix, 5-ounce cups, distributed from Aug. 13 through Aug. 26, 2026. The product went to wholesale distributors and grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The expansion follows concerns that the sprouts may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli or Salmonella.

The hazard

STEC can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Salmonella commonly causes nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, and can also lead to more severe illness in vulnerable people.

What to do

Consumers who believe they have the affected sprouts should dispose of them immediately and thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that came into contact with the product. Retailers and distributors should stop selling and distributing the recalled sprouts and dispose of remaining inventory according to local protocols.

Company contact

Everything Sprouts: everythingsproutsmn@gmail.com.

Source

Walmart mangoes may carry Salmonella

Panorama Produce is recalling mangoes sold at select Walmart stores in four states because of possible Salmonella contamination.

The mangoes may be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause severe illness in children, older adults and immunocompromised people.
The recall covers mangoes with PLU 4584 and UPC 07503061948050 sold in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Consumers should throw away the recalled mangoes or return them to the place of purchase.

Panorama Produce issued a voluntary recall of certain mangoes sold in select Walmart stores in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The recalled fruit is identified by PLU number 4584 and UPC 07503061948050. The company said the recall was prompted by possible Salmonella contamination.

The hazard

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may develop fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

What to do

Consumers who have the recalled mangoes should not eat them. The fruit should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.

Company contact

Panorama Produce: information@panoramaproduce.com, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

Source

Raw pet food contamination alert

Northwest Naturals is recalling two frozen raw chicken pet food products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes.

The products may expose pets to Salmonella or Listeria and can also sicken people who handle the food or contaminated surfaces.
The recall covers a 2-pound cat food bag and a 6-pound dog food bag distributed to retail stores nationwide.
Consumers should stop feeding the products to pets and return any unused portion for a full refund.

Northwest Naturals voluntarily recalled two raw pet food products: Northwest Naturals Frozen Chicken Recipe for cats in 2-pound bags and Northwest Naturals Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe in 6-pound bags. The products were distributed to retail stores nationwide. The affected lots are Lot B-5, best by 01/26/2028, UPC 087316384956, and Lot B-19, best by 01/25/2028, UPC 087316380392.

The hazard

Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can make animals sick after eating contaminated food. The recall also warns of human health risks from handling contaminated pet food or surfaces exposed to it, particularly if hands are not washed thoroughly afterward.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the recalled pet food in the affected lots should stop feeding it to their pets immediately. Any unused portion should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact

Northwest Naturals: 1-866-637-1872 or recallinfo@nw-naturals.net.

Source

Severe mental illness may be linked to dementia and stroke risk earlier in life

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:40:00 +0000

New research suggests the connection can show up decades before these conditions are typically expected

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 4, 2026

A study of nearly 700,000 people found an association between severe mental illness and dementia across every age group studied.
Adults ages 30 to 39 with severe mental illness had more than 20 times the odds of dementia compared with those without a psychiatric diagnosis.
Stroke risk was also higher among people with severe mental illness, with the strongest association appearing among adults ages 40 to 49.

Dementia and stroke are often thought of as conditions that primarily affect older adults. But new research suggests that, among people with severe mental illness, the connection with these neurological conditions may show up much earlier in adulthood.

The study, published in European Neuropsychopharmacology, looked at severe mental illnesses including schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Researchers found that people with these conditions had higher odds of dementia across every age group examined, from ages 20 to 29 through 90 to 99.

The researchers also found an association with ischemic stroke the most common type of stroke, which happens when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked. The relationship was particularly noticeable during early and middle adulthood.

How researchers conducted the study

For the study, researchers analyzed health records from the PADRIS-PRESTO cohort, which draws from primary and specialized care records in Catalonia, Spain.

The final analysis included 694,086 adults. Of those, 176,870 had a lifetime diagnosis of severe mental illness, while 517,216 did not have a psychiatric diagnosis. Researchers divided participants into 10-year age groups and compared the prevalence of dementia and ischemic stroke between the two groups.

They then used statistical models to calculate age-specific odds of dementia and stroke. The models also accounted for socioeconomic status and the overall burden of other medical conditions. Researchers examined the three major severe mental illness categories separately as well.

Importantly, this was a cross-sectional study, meaning it provides a snapshot of the relationship between these conditions rather than following people over time. As a result, the findings show an association they do not establish that severe mental illness causes dementia or stroke.

What the findings mean for consumers

The numbers were particularly striking among younger adults. Between ages 30 and 39, people with severe mental illness had more than 20 times the odds of having dementia compared with controls. Still, dementia was uncommon in this age group overall: It affected 0.55% of people with severe mental illness compared with 0.02% of controls.

Although dementia remains rare in that 30 to 39 age group overall, the size of the difference associated with mental illness was notable, researcher Dr. Michele De Prisco said in a news release. For every 100,000 people without a severe mental illness, about 24 had dementia at ages 30-39, compared with about 550 among those with a severe mental illness"

The association remained in older adults, although the relative difference became smaller as dementia became more common overall. For ischemic stroke, the strongest association appeared among people ages 40 to 49, who had nearly three times the odds of stroke compared with controls.

These findings reinforce the need to think about severe mental illness as a whole-person health issue, not only a mental health diagnosis, Dr. De Prisco What we are seeing is that risks linked to subsequent dementia and stroke may appear much earlier in life than many people expect, which means prevention, monitoring, and coordinated care should also begin earlier.

GLP-1 drugs may help explain why some people binge eat

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:37:40 +0000

New research from Florida State University points to a possible biological reason some people struggle with binge eating

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 4, 2026

GLP-1 drugs may help reduce binge-eating symptoms in some people, according to emerging research from Florida State University.
Researchers found that some people with bulimia release less of the bodys natural GLP-1 hormone after eating.
The findings suggest binge eating may involve biological factors in addition to psychological ones.

GLP-1 medications have become increasingly familiar as treatments for weight loss, but researchers are also looking at what these drugs might tell us about eating behaviors.

Pamela Keel, a psychology professor at Florida State University, is studying eating disorders and the biological factors that may contribute to them. Her research suggests that GLP-1 drugs could potentially help reduce binge-eating symptoms in some patients by addressing one of those biological factors.

Thats significant because binge eating is sometimes viewed primarily through a psychological lens or even incorrectly as a matter of self-control. Keels work suggests there may be more going on beneath the surface.

Most treatments for eating disorders focus on psychological factors, Keel said. Our much-needed research allows clinicians to better understand what biological factors to target when treating patients with eating disorders.

Looking at the biology behind binge eating

Keel led a research team whose work examined biological components associated with bulimia, an eating disorder involving episodes of uncontrolled binge eating followed by purging.

According to FSU, the researchers found that some people with bulimia experience a reduced release of the bodys natural GLP-1 hormone after eating. GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic that hormone.

The researchers also looked at a biological factor called weight suppression, which refers to the difference between a persons highest body weight and their current weight. Their findings suggested that screening for factors such as high weight suppression could help clinicians identify patients who might be more likely to benefit from GLP-1 treatment.

The FSU article does not provide additional details about the number of participants or the specific procedures used in the research.

What could this mean for consumers?

The findings offer a possible explanation for why GLP-1 medications might reduce bingeing for some people. If someone produces less GLP-1 after eating, medication that mimics the hormone could potentially help address that biological difference.

Still, this research does not mean GLP-1 drugs are an established treatment for binge eating or bulimia. FSU describes the findings as emerging research and says they support further studies testing whether GLP-1 medications could be effective for people with bulimia and related conditions.

The bigger takeaway is that binge eating may involve biological factors that deserve attention alongside psychological ones.

As researchers continue studying GLP-1 medications, they may learn more about which patients could potentially benefit from them and why.

Wildfire smoke may be taking a toll on the economy, study finds

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:36:11 +0000

New research shows smoky skies carry costs

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 4, 2026

Wildfire smoke is undoing some of the progress the U.S. has made in cleaning up its air.
Poor air quality can affect spending, workplace productivity, and healthcare costs.
Researchers found wildfire smoke has erased about one-quarter of previous air-quality improvements in many states.

When wildfire smoke rolls into a community, the most obvious concern is usually the air itself. But smoky skies can affect more than how easily people breathe. They can also change how people work, spend money and use health care.

Thats the takeaway highlighted by Georgia Tech economist Casey Wichman, who says increasingly frequent wildfire smoke events can create economic costs through air pollution.

When the Air Quality Index, or AQI, climbs, people may stay home rather than shop, eat at restaurants, or attend outdoor events. Businesses that depend on customers coming through the door can feel that slowdown, too.

Environmental regulations like the Clean Air Act dramatically improved our air quality over the past 40 years, but as wildfire season becomes the new normal, wildfire smoke is eroding those gains, Wichman said in a news release.

How researchers tracked the smoke

The findings on the changing air-quality picture come from research published in Nature. Researchers examined ground-based and satellite-based air pollution data covering the contiguous United States from 2000 through 2022.

They focused specifically on PM2.5, tiny particles in the air that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. The researchers used the data to determine how much wildfire smoke contributed to changes in PM2.5 levels over time and where those effects were most noticeable.

The study also looked at trends in extreme PM2.5 days and considered how climate-related factors have influenced year-to-year differences in smoke exposure.

What it could mean for consumers

The researchers found that, since at least 2016, wildfire smoke has influenced average annual PM2.5 trends in nearly three-quarters of states in the contiguous U.S.

On average in those states, smoke erased about 25% of previous progress in reducing PM2.5 equivalent to roughly four years of improvement. The effect was even larger in many Western states.

For consumers, the economic effects can show up in less obvious ways. High pollution days may mean fewer trips to stores and restaurants, canceled outdoor activities, and disruptions for people who work outside.

On days with peak air pollution events, people tend to stay inside more, so they're not going out and spending money that supports the local economy, Wichman said.

Even indoor workers can experience reduced productivity when polluted air affects concentration and decision-making, according to Wichman.

So even if you're working from home to avoid the air pollution or have a desk job, you're still exposed because theres not a perfect filter between your home and the outdoors, and that reduces the level of productivity you have at work, he explained.

And there can be health-related costs, too. Georgia Tech cites estimates that short-term wildfire-smoke exposure costs Americans billions of dollars annually in health-related damages, while long-term exposure carries substantially larger costs.

As smoky days become more common, the economic impact may become harder for communities and the people who live and work in them to ignore.

Amazon just raised prices on popular devices — here's how to avoid overpaying

Kyle James — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:58:49 +0000

Echo, Kindle, Fire TV, and eero prices jumped, but shoppers may still be able to find the old prices

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

September 4, 2026

Amazon raised prices on a long list of devices: The Echo Dot is jumping from $49.99 to $79.99, while the Kindle 16GB jumped higher by $40.
Don't assume Amazon has the best price: Other retailers like Target may still have inventory available at the old prices.
Waiting could pay off: Amazon says it plans to run promotions across its device lineup throughout the year so pay attention to deals as we approach the holidays.

Thinking about buying an Echo, Kindle, or Fire TV? Do some comparison shopping first.

Amazon raised prices across much of its device lineup on Aug. 21, with increases hitting Echo speakers, Kindle e-readers, Fire TV streaming devices, and eero Wi-Fi systems.

And some increases are significant.

The Echo Dot jumped from $49.99 to $79.99 a 60% increase. The 16GB Kindle went from $109.99 to $149.99, while the Kindle Paperwhite increased from $159.99 to $199.99.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max climbed from $59.99 to $84.99, and the eero Pro 7 three-pack went from $699.99 to $799.99.

Amazon attributed the increases to rising memory and storage component costs.

Here's how shoppers can avoid overpaying.

Check other retailers first

When a manufacturer raises its price, every retailer doesn't necessarily change its price at the same time. Stores may still have inventory available at the old price.

TechRepublic reported that Target was still listing the Echo Dot for $49.99 on Aug. 26 that's Amazon's old price and $30 below its new $79.99 price.

There's no guarantee this will necessarily last, but it illustrates why comparison-shopping matters right now.

Pro tip: Search the exact model at Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and other retailers. Make sure you're comparing the same generation and storage capacity.

Don't assume the new price is what you should pay

Amazon's new list price doesn't mean you have to pay it.

The company says it plans to offer promotions across its device lineup throughout the year. So if your current Echo, Kindle, or Fire TV still works, consider waiting for a sale.

And remember what these products used to cost. A future Echo Dot sale at $59.99 may look good compared with its new $79.99 price, but its previous regular price was $49.99.

Know which prices changed

A few notable increases include:

Echo Dot: $49.99 $79.99
Kindle 16GB: $109.99 $149.99
Kindle Paperwhite 16GB: $159.99 $199.99
Fire TV Stick 4K Max: $59.99 $84.99
Fire TV Cube: $139.99 $199.99
eero 7 three-pack: $349.99 $399.99
eero Pro 7 three-pack: $699.99 $799.99

Ring cameras and video doorbells reportedly weren't included in the increases, nor was the Echo Studio.

Check the price history

Before buying, check what the device has actually sold for in recent months.

A price tracker such as CamelCamelCamel can show Amazon price history and help you determine whether today's "sale" is actually good. Or you can use Amazons own internal check the price history feature.

That's especially useful after a price increase as a retailer might eventually advertise a device as $20 off its new price while still charging more than shoppers routinely paid before Aug. 21.

Pro tip: Its smart to screenshot or save the old prices listed above. They'll make useful benchmarks when holiday deals start appearing so you can figure whats actually a bargain.

It's time to consider competing products

A large price increase can change whether an Amazon device is still the best value.

If you wanted an Echo Dot because it was an inexpensive smart speaker, $79.99 deserves more comparison shopping than $49.99 did.

The same applies to Fire TV and eero.

Get in the habit of comparing the price on competing smart speakers, streaming devices, and mesh Wi-Fi systems rather than automatically buying the Amazon option.

Why are prices rising?

Amazon says the electronics industry is facing significant increases in memory and storage component costs.

The price increase can be attributed to growing demand for memory used by AI data centers which has contributed to tighter supplies, thus putting pressure on electronics manufacturers.

That means Amazon may not be the only company where shoppers encounter higher hardware prices in the near future.

Automakers urge Congress to permanently ban Chinese vehicles

Mark Huffman — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:04:10 +0000

They cite national security, but a ban could also limit competition and consumer choice

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 4, 2026

Major automakers are urging Congress to permanently ban Chinese connected vehicles, software, and hardware from the U.S. market.
The industry says government-subsidized Chinese vehicles threaten American manufacturing and could expose drivers personal and location data.
A ban could protect U.S. auto jobs but also prevent consumers from gaining access to lower-priced Chinese electric vehicles.

Major automakers are asking Congress to permanently close the U.S. market to Chinese connected vehicles, arguing that allowing them into the country would threaten American jobs, domestic manufacturing, and consumers personal information.

Its not a request they have made concerning other vehicles imported from Japan, Korea, or Europe.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Honda, Stellantis, and other manufacturers, urged congressional leaders to pass a ban before the current session ends.

In a Sept. 3 letter, the group called for a permanent prohibition on the sale, importation. and manufacture of Chinese connected vehicles, as well as restrictions on Chinese-made vehicle hardware and software.

Right now, Chinese automakers are dumping subsidized vehicles with connected software and hardware around the world, Alliance President and CEO John Bozzella wrote. The group said Chinese brands have already captured market share in Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and South America.

Chinese automakers have not yet established a significant presence in the United States, partly because of tariffs and existing technology restrictions. The industry wants Congress to act before companies such as BYD, Chery, and SAIC Motor can gain a foothold.

More than an economic argument

Automakers describe Chinese vehicles as both an economic and national security threat.

Modern vehicles may contain cellular connections, cameras, microphones, navigation systems, and sensors capable of collecting information about drivers and their surroundings. U.S. officials have warned that technology supplied by companies under Chinese control could transmit sensitive information or potentially allow outsiders to interfere with vehicle systems.

A Commerce Department rule already restricts connected-vehicle technology linked to China and Russia. The legislation under consideration would put many of those protections into federal law, making them more difficult for a future administration to reverse.

The bipartisan Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee in July. A similar bill has been introduced in the House. Another proposal, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, would prohibit companies linked to designated foreign adversaries from manufacturing, importing, or selling vehicles in the United States.

The Alliance says the restrictions are necessary to protect an American auto industry that supports about 11 million jobs and contributes nearly $1.5 trillion annually to the economy, according to its letter to congressional leaders.

Proposed ban raises complications

Writing an effective ban may be more difficult than simply excluding vehicles shipped directly from China.

Some global automakers have Chinese investors, components, or business partners. Mercedes-Benz, for example, has significant passive Chinese ownership. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz has warned that a proposal barring companies with more than 15% Chinese ownership could unintentionally prevent Mercedes-Benz from selling vehicles in the United States.

Polestar presents another complication. The electric-vehicle company is headquartered in Sweden but is majority-owned by Chinas Geely Holding. Polestar has said federal restrictions would prevent it from selling certain future models in the U.S.

Waymo also plans to use vehicles produced by Zeekr, another Geely-owned company, as platforms for its next generation of robotaxis. Although Waymo supplies its own autonomous-driving technology, a broadly written ban could disrupt that arrangement.

Those examples help explain why lawmakers are still debating how to distinguish a Chinese automaker from a multinational company that has Chinese investors, suppliers, or manufacturing operations.

What it could mean for consumers

Consumers are unlikely to notice an immediate change because few Chinese-branded passenger vehicles are currently sold in the United States.

The longer-term impact could be more significant. Chinese manufacturers have developed electric vehicles that often cost much less than comparable models sold by U.S., European, Japanese, and South Korean brands. Keeping those vehicles out of the country would reduce the possibility of aggressive price competition that could make EVs more affordable.

Supporters contend that low prices are possible because Chinese manufacturers receive extensive government support, making it difficult for companies operating under market conditions to compete. They also argue that slightly lower vehicle prices would not justify risks involving data privacy, cybersecurity, and the loss of American manufacturing jobs.

The Alliance is not simply asking Congress to ban every car containing a Chinese-made part. Its request focuses on vehicles and connected technology associated with Chinese automakers or entities controlled or influenced by China. Exactly where Congress draws that line will determine whether the legislation affects only Chinese brands or reaches established automakers with Chinese investors and suppliers.

For now, the proposed ban remains unfinished legislation. But its bipartisan support suggests that Chinese automakers will continue to face formidable barriers to entering one of the worlds largest and most profitable vehicle markets.

August jobs report shows hiring rebound, led by restaurants and schools

Mark Huffman — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:59:52 +0000

Employers added 162,000 jobs while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 4, 2026

U.S. employers added 162,000 jobs in August, far exceeding the average monthly gain of 31,000 over the previous year.
Restaurants and bars added the most jobs, followed by local government education, while manufacturing and healthcare posted smaller gains.
The information sector lost 23,000 jobs, with cuts affecting data processing, publishing, and broadcasting.

The U.S. labor market regained momentum in August as employers added 162,000 jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1%, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employment report.

The increase was a sharp improvement from the weak job growth reported during much of the past year. Employers had added an average of only 31,000 jobs per month during the previous 12 months.

However, the gains were concentrated in a relatively small number of industries. Restaurants, schools, and several parts of the manufacturing economy accounted for much of the hiring, while technology-related information businesses continued to cut workers.

Restaurants and schools lead hiring

Food services and drinking places added 59,000 jobs in August, the largest increase among the industries highlighted by the government. That was nearly five times the sectors average monthly gain of 12,000 during the previous year.

Local government education added another 42,000 jobs. The increase largely reversed a decline in July and may partly reflect the seasonal return of school employees. Despite the August gain, employment in local government education has shown little net change since January 2025.

Construction employment increased by 22,000, although the BLS said the overall monthly change was not statistically significant. Nonresidential specialty trade contractors added 8,000 jobs.

Manufacturing continued its recent recovery, adding 16,000 positions. Machinery manufacturers and fabricated metal product manufacturers each added 6,000 jobs. Factory employment has increased by 58,000 since reaching a recent low in December 2025.

Healthcare added 13,000 jobs. Home healthcare services gained 11,000 positions, while hospitals added 8,000. Those increases were partly offset by losses elsewhere in the industry.

Even with Augusts increase, healthcare hiring has slowed considerably. The sector added an average of 32,000 jobs per month during the previous 12 months.

Information sector posts steepest losses

The information industry was the reports clear weak spot, losing 23,000 jobs in August. That followed average monthly losses of 8,000 over the previous year.

Computing infrastructure providers, data processing companies, web hosting services, and related businesses eliminated 8,000 jobs. Publishing industries cut 7,000 positions, while broadcasters and content providers lost 5,000.

Employment changed little in most other major sectors, including retail, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, financial services, professional and business services, mining, social assistance, and other services.

Earlier estimates revised higher

The government also substantially upgraded its estimates for June and July.

Junes gain was revised from 20,000 to 31,000 jobs. Julys initially reported loss of 23,000 was revised to a gain of 21,000. Together, the revisions added 55,000 jobs to previous estimates.

The revisions mean the labor market was somewhat stronger entering August than the original reports suggested, although the pace of hiring remained modest.

Average hourly earnings for private-sector workers increased by 10 cents, or 0.3%, to $37.75 in August. Wages were 3.1% higher than a year earlier.

The average workweek edged up by 0.1 hour to 34.4 hours. The number of people working part time because they could not find full-time work or had their hours reduced fell by 414,000 to 4.4 million.

Lindsay Clancy trial puts spotlight on the dangers of postpartum psychosis

Mark Huffman — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:49:59 +0000

The severe mental condition is at the center of a trial that has gripped the nation

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 4, 2026

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition affecting an estimated one or two mothers for every 1,000 births.
Symptoms can develop rapidly and include hallucinations, delusions, severe confusion, paranoia, mania, and an inability to recognize that something is wrong.
Most patients do not become violent and recover with treatment, but documented cases involving suicide and the deaths of children show why the condition requires immediate medical care.

The murder trial of Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy has focused new attention on postpartum psychosis, a rare psychiatric emergency that can cause a woman to lose contact with reality after giving birth.

Clancy does not deny killing her three children in January 2023. Her defense argues that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and a command hallucination that left her unable to control her actions. Prosecutors contend that she was depressed but not psychotic and that her actions showed planning and an understanding of right and wrong.

The jury must decide whether Clancy was legally responsible for the deaths. But beyond the courtroom, the case raises broader questions about an illness that can emerge quickly, may be difficult for families to recognize and, in its most severe form, can endanger both mother and child.

How common is postpartum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis is much less common than postpartum depression. Estimates generally place its occurrence at between one and two cases per 1,000 births, although the precise rate varies among studies.

By comparison, many new mothers experience the short-lived mood changes commonly called the baby blues, while postpartum depression is estimated to affect roughly one in eight mothers.

Postpartum psychosis is different. It represents a break with reality and is considered a medical emergency.

Symptoms most often begin suddenly during the first two weeks after childbirth, sometimes within hours or days. They can include:

Hearing or seeing things that are not present
Strong but false beliefs or suspicions
Confusion and disorganized thinking
Paranoia
Extreme agitation or unusually elevated energy
Rapid speech or racing thoughts
Severe insomnia
Abrupt shifts between mania and depression

A mother may believe that her baby is possessed, in danger, or receiving special messages. She may hear a voice giving her instructions. In some cases, the woman does not understand that she is ill, leaving family members to recognize the emergency and seek help.

The U.K.s National Health Service says the condition can worsen rapidly and create risks for both mother and baby.

Who is most at risk?

Postpartum psychosis appears to be closely associated with bipolar disorder. Women with bipolar disorder, a previous psychotic episode after childbirth or a family history of postpartum psychosis face a significantly higher risk.

However, it can also occur in women with no known psychiatric history.

Researchers believe that rapid hormonal changes after delivery, sleep deprivation, genetic vulnerability, and underlying mood disorders may contribute. The condition is not simply caused by ordinary parenting stress, and it is not a sign that a woman is a bad mother.

Having postpartum depression also does not necessarily mean a woman will develop psychosis. Depression generally does not cause a loss of contact with reality, although severe depression can sometimes include psychotic symptoms.

How often does it lead to violence?

Most women with postpartum psychosis do not harm themselves or their children. That distinction is important because sensational cases can discourage women from reporting symptoms or seeking treatment.

Nevertheless, medical literature has documented cases of suicide, attempted suicide and infanticide associated with the condition. Frequently cited estimates suggest that approximately 4% of untreated or severe cases may involve the death of an infant and about 5% may end in suicide. However, health researchers say those numbers should be treated cautiously because postpartum psychosis is rare and much of the available research comes from small studies and reviews of unusually severe cases.

A 2025 systematic review published in the Archives of Womens Mental Health examined documented cases in which postpartum psychosis resulted in infanticide. Researchers identified missed opportunities involving screening, diagnosis, treatment, and communication among healthcare providers.

Perhaps the best-known American case is that of Andrea Yates, who drowned her five children in Texas in 2001. Yates had a documented history of severe postpartum depression, psychosis, hospitalizations, and suicide attempts. Her original murder conviction was overturned, and a second jury found her not guilty by reason of insanity in 2006. She was committed to a state psychiatric hospital.

The Clancy case has drawn comparisons with Yates, although the medical histories, circumstances, and applicable state laws are different. In Clancys trial, the existence and timing of psychosis remain disputed by opposing medical experts.

Treatment can be highly effective

Postpartum psychosis usually requires immediate psychiatric evaluation and hospitalization. Treatment may include antipsychotic medication, mood stabilizers such as lithium and, in some severe or life-threatening cases, electroconvulsive therapy.

The outlook with treatment is generally good. The most severe symptoms may last several weeks, while complete recovery can take six months to a year or longer. Women who have experienced one episode face a substantial risk of recurrence following a future pregnancy, making advance planning with obstetric and psychiatric specialists important.

Warning signs should never be dismissed as exhaustion or normal adjustment to motherhood. A new mother who is hallucinating, expressing bizarre beliefs, behaving in a severely confused manner, or going for extended periods without sleep needs an urgent medical assessment, doctors stress.

Great Value frozen berry recall expands to Walmart stores in 16 states

Mark Huffman — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:45:56 +0000

The product may be contaminated with E. coli

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 4, 2026

One lot of Walmarts Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend has been recalled because it may contain a harmful strain of E. coli.
The recalled 10-ounce bags have lot code 6040 01-6, a Best If Used By date of Feb. 9, 2028, and UPC 7874211226.
Consumers should not eat the berries. They should throw them away or return them to Walmart for a full refund.

A recall of frozen organic blueberries has expanded to include one lot of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold at Walmart stores in 16 states.

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., based in San Carlos, Chile, recalled the product because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145:H28, a potentially dangerous strain commonly known as E. coli O145.

The recall announcement posted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) applies to the following product:

Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend containing strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries
10-ounce bag
UPC 7874211226
Lot code 6040 01-6, printed on the front of the package
Best If Used By date of Feb. 9, 2028

The affected berries were shipped to selected Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Because frozen products can remain in consumers homes for long periods, the company is urging shoppers in those states to check their freezers even if they purchased the berries some time ago.

Consumers should not eat berries from the recalled lot. The packages may be discarded or returned to Walmart for a full refund.

Recall follows earlier blueberry illnesses

The action expands a July 3 recall involving frozen GreenWise organic blueberries sold at Publix. Traceback information from that recall led the company to include the Great Value product as a precaution.

The earlier outbreak was linked to 12 confirmed E. coli O145 infections in Florida and Georgia. Four people were hospitalized, but no deaths were reported, according to the FDA.

As of the latest announcement, no illnesses had been associated specifically with the recalled Great Value Triple Berry Blend.

Symptoms consumers should watch for

E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea which may be bloody and vomiting. Symptoms can appear within several days of eating contaminated food, although they may take as long as nine days to develop.

Most healthy people recover within about a week. However, some infections can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that may lead to kidney failure.

Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face an increased risk of serious illness. Anyone who has eaten recalled berries and develops symptoms should contact a healthcare provider promptly.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 336-899-5612 or Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Mortgage rates climbed this week, adding to homebuyers’ affordability challenges

Mark Huffman — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:43:40 +0000

Freddie Mac says buyer demand remains steady despite higher borrowing costs

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 4, 2026

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.71%, up from 6.66% last week.
The 15-year fixed rate increased to 6.04%, while both rates remained higher than a year ago.
Freddie Mac said purchase demand has remained relatively stable as buyers adjust to changing market conditions.

Mortgage rates moved higher again this week, increasing the cost of financing a home as the fall housing market gets underway.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.71% as of Sept. 3, according to Freddie Macs latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That was up five basis points from 6.66% last week.A year ago, the 30-year rate averaged 6.50%.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate increased to 6.04%, compared with 5.98% last week and 5.60% during the same week last year.

Purchase demand has remained relatively stable, indicating steady interest from buyers adapting to evolving market conditions, Freddie Mac said.

While this weeks increase was relatively small, even modest rate changes can affect monthly payments and the maximum price buyers can afford.

For example, a buyer borrowing $320,000 with a 30-year fixed mortgage would pay approximately $2,067 per month in principal and interest at 6.71%. At last weeks 6.66% rate, the payment would have been about $2,055 roughly $12 less per month.

Compared with last years 6.50% average, the current rate would add approximately $44 to the monthly payment, or more than $15,000 over 30 years if the loan were held for its entire term. Those figures exclude property taxes, homeowners insurance, and association fees.

Buyers are adapting, but affordability remains strained

Freddie Macs observation that purchase demand remains stable suggests some consumers are no longer waiting for a dramatic decline in rates. Buyers may instead be adjusting their budgets, considering smaller homes or negotiating with sellers for closing-cost assistance or temporary mortgage-rate buydowns.

In a separate report this week, real estate platform Realtor.com reported that lower priced homes are getting fewer views than more expensive homes, suggesting affluent buyers can still afford more expensive financing.

However, for the average buyers higher rates remain a significant obstacle when combined with elevated home prices, insurance premiums, and property taxes. A borrowers actual rate may also differ considerably from Freddie Macs national average based on credit score, down payment, loan type, location, and lender fees.

What to do

Consumers shopping for a home should request loan estimates from several lenders on the same day. Comparing both the interest rate and annual percentage rate, or APR, can reveal differences in points and other borrowing costs.

Buyers should also consider whether paying discount points makes financial sense. Buying points can reduce the mortgage rate, but it may take several years of lower payments to recover the upfront expense.

Current homeowners are unlikely to benefit from refinancing unless they have a mortgage rate significantly above todays levels or want to change their loan term. Refinancing also comes with closing costs, so homeowners should calculate how long it would take for the monthly savings to offset those expenses.

Freddie Macs survey reflects conventional, conforming home-purchase applications submitted by thousands of borrowers nationwide. It is a weekly average rather than a rate guaranteed to every applicant.

Crack the produce code — What those little stickers on your fruits and veggies actually mean

Kyle James — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 20:43:40 +0000

The numbers can tell you whether produce is organic and help make sure you're paying for the right item

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

Four digits generally mean conventional: PLU codes in the 3000 and 4000 series are used for conventionally grown produce.
Shopping organic? Look for a 9: Five-digit PLU codes beginning with 9 identify organic produce, so a conventional 4011 banana becomes 94011 when organic.
Forget the old 8 means GMO trick: That system was never implemented and is now obsolete, so an 8 at the beginning does not mean it's genetically modified.

You've probably peeled hundreds of those annoying little stickers off apples, bananas, and avocados without giving the numbers on them a second thought.

Turns out, they're worth a closer look.

They're called Price Look-Up, or PLU, codes, and retailers have been using them since 1990 to identify bulk produce at checkout and keep track of inventory. Today, more than 1,500 PLU codes have been assigned to fresh fruits, vegetables, and related items such as herbs and nuts.

And while they're primarily designed for retailers rather than shoppers, you can learn something from them.

You just need to know which produce-sticker advice is legitimate and which is an outdated internet myth.

The produce-sticker code cheat sheet

When it comes to produce stickers, fortunately, you don't need to memorize much.

Four digits: Conventionally grown produce.
Five digits beginning with a 9: Organically-grown produce.
Five digits beginning with an 8: This used to mean that the produce was genetically modified. But that is an old rule which is now obsolete (more on this below).
No sticker: Don't assume anything. PLU stickers are voluntary.

Knowing what these numbers mean can help you verify exactly what you're buying.

Lets break it all down.

Four digits generally means conventional

The easiest code to recognize is a four-digit PLU.

According to the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), conventional produce uses four-digit codes within the 3000 and 4000 series.

Don't try to decipher each individual digit. The numbers are assigned within those ranges and don't contain a hidden code where, say, a three means one growing method and a four means another. Instead, the entire number identifies attributes of that particular produce item, which can include its commodity, variety, and size.

One of the most familiar examples is the banana: 4011 is the standard PLU you'll commonly see on a conventionally grown banana.

But there's something those four digits don't tell you: whether pesticides were used.

You'll sometimes see claims online that a four-digit PLU means the produce was "definitely sprayed with pesticides." That's simply not true. Regardless of the PLU, though, its smart to wash fresh produce before eating it.

Shopping organic? Look for a 9 at the beginning

Here's the produce-sticker trick that really does work.

When a standard four-digit PLU gets a 9 added to the front, it identifies the organic version of that produce.

So that conventional banana coded 4011 becomes 94011 when it's organic. IFPS confirms that five-digit organic PLUs use the 9 prefix.

This can be especially useful at checkout. If you're paying the higher price for organic apples or avocados, take a quick look at the sticker and make sure the PLU begins with 9. Conversely, if you're buying conventional produce, don't accidentally select the more expensive organic version when using self-checkout.

Pro tip: When buying organic produce, don't rely solely on a loose sticker. Look for the USDA Organic label or store signage as well. USDA organic claims are regulated and must meet federal certification requirements.

Its time to forget the old '8 means GMO' trick

This is where produce-sticker advice gets messy.

For years, shoppers were told: 5 digits beginning with 8 = genetically modified produce.

You'll still find that claim all over the internet, but it's outdated.

While the 8 prefix was originally set up for genetically modified produce, the system was never actually implemented that way. IFPS subsequently used the 83000 and 84000 ranges to create additional PLU numbers for conventionally grown produce.

In other words, an 8 at the beginning of a PLU does not mean GMO. That's important because shoppers who rely on that old trick could easily come to the wrong conclusion.

So how can you identify bioengineered food?

You'll need to start looking beyond the PLU sticker.

The U.S. now has a National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard requiring manufacturers, importers, and certain retailers to disclose foods meeting the federal definition of bioengineered.

Depending on the product, that information can appear as text saying "Bioengineered Food," a USDA-approved symbol, a digital link, or text-message instructions. For bulk foods, disclosure can appear on signage near the product.

USDA's current list of foods available in bioengineered forms includes certain apples, corn, papaya, potatoes, pink-flesh pineapple, and summer squash, among others.

So if avoiding bioengineered produce matters to you, USDA Organic certification is far more useful than hunting for an 8 on a fruit sticker.

Organic doesn't mean pesticide-free

Here's another misconception worth clearing up while we're decoding the produce aisle: "Organic" doesn't mean no pesticides were used.

USDA rules generally prohibit synthetic substances in organic crop production unless they're specifically allowed, while natural substances are generally permitted unless specifically prohibited.

But organic growers can use certain approved substances for pest and disease control when other methods aren't sufficient.

So don't treat that 9 prefix as a reason to skip washing your produce.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends washing all fresh produce under running water, including organic produce and fruits and vegetables where you don't plan to eat the peel. Don't use soap, detergent, or commercial produce washes; FDA says they're unnecessary and can potentially leave substances behind that you don't want to consume.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also notes that running water helps remove dirt, bacteria, and some chemical traces, although washing won't remove every pesticide residue.

One last catch: the stickers aren't mandatory

Perhaps the biggest limitation of the whole PLU "hack" is that the system itself is voluntary.

IFPS says no government regulatory agency requires loose produce to carry a PLU sticker. Retailers and suppliers use the system largely because it makes checkout and inventory management easier.

And since the stickers are typically already attached when the produce arrives at the store, there's really no incentive for employees to spend time removing them.

If you're unsure whether something is organic or bioengineered, check the store's signage or packaging rather than trying to draw conclusions from a missing sticker.

Amazon sold ground beef for $1.99 a pound — then shoppers cleaned it out

Kyle James — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:43:04 +0000

The unusually cheap price spread quickly online as shoppers searched for relief from historically high beef prices

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

Amazon dropped ground beef to $1.99 a pound: The deal was about 71% below the July national average of $6.89 per pound.
Shoppers quickly jumped on it: The bargain spread on deal sites including Slickdeals, and some shoppers were already reporting it unavailable in their areas by Aug. 28.
It could come back: Amazon also sold tens of thousands of packages at $1.99 in July, suggesting the late-August promotion may not have been a one-time deal.

At a time when a pound of ground beef can easily cost $6 or $7, Amazon started selling it for $1.99.

Then word got around.

Amazon's 80/20 Amazon Grocery ground beef was offered for $1.99 per one-pound package in select markets, a price that quickly caught the attention of online deal hunters in late August.

The deal spread on sites including Slickdeals, where shoppers reported buying the maximum five packages and sharing the bargain with others.

It didn't take long for availability to become spotty.

Some shoppers were already reporting the beef was unavailable in their areas on Aug. 28, while others could still order it in places including South Florida and Ohio.

The product is now listed as unavailable on Amazon.

But this wasn't necessarily a one-weekend wonder.

Amazon was selling a lot of $1.99/lb beef

Third-party Amazon sales data from ASINsight shows the exact Amazon Grocery product sold for $1.99 during July. And shoppers apparently loved it.

ASINsight estimates Amazon sold about 70,000 one-pound packages in July alone, making it the top-selling listing in its Amazon burger-and-patty category for the month.

Then came the late-August promotion.

Slickdeals listed the beef at $1.99, down from $5.99, for Prime members in select locations. Shoppers could buy up to five packages, and the promotion was scheduled to run through Aug. 30.

But availability varied dramatically by location as shoppers jumped on the deal.

Just how cheap was $1.99?

Very cheap. The average U.S. price for a pound of ground beef reached about $6.89 in July, according to federal data.

That means Amazon's $1.99 price was about 71% below the national average.

At those prices, five pounds would cost:

National average: $34.45
Amazon: $9.95

That's nearly $25 in savings. No wonder shoppers took notice.

Why would Amazon sell beef this cheap?

The pricing resembles an old retail strategy known as a loss leader. That's when a retailer prices one product unusually low to attract shoppers in hopes they'll buy other things while they're there.

That doesn't necessarily mean Amazon lost money on every package, as we don't know what Amazon paid for the beef. But supermarkets have used this strategy for decades with things like cheap Thanksgiving turkeys, milk, and other staples.

Amazon's version has another advantage: You don't even have to leave your couch.

The company says Prime members in more than 2,300 U.S. cities and towns can now order perishable groceries through Same-Day Delivery.

Will the $1.99 beef come back?

Possibly, but there's obviously no guarantee.

The latest deal has ended, and the one-pound package is currently unavailable. But considering Amazon sold tens of thousands of packages at $1.99 in July and brought the price back in late August, it's worth watching.

If it returns, don't be surprised if it disappears quickly again.

Your waist size may tell doctors more about your health than your BMI

Kristen Dalli — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:22:47 +0000

New research suggests a simple tape-measure check could help identify excess body fat

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

A Rutgers study found that waist circumference performed nearly as well as more complicated methods for identifying excess body fat.
BMI alone missed a substantial number of people who met the studys criteria for obesity based on body-fat measurements.
Researchers say measuring waist circumference could offer a practical way to identify potential health risks in routine care.

For years, body mass index (BMI) has been one of the main tools used to identify obesity. But BMI has a notable limitation: It doesnt fully account for differences in body composition or where someone carries their body fat.

New research from Rutgers Health suggests that a much simpler measurement may provide useful information. In a study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers found that waist circumference alone performed nearly as well as a more complicated approach that uses several measurements to identify excess body fat.

That could make the humble measuring tape a surprisingly useful tool in healthcare. Researchers say waist measurements are relatively easy to obtain and could help clinicians and patients identify potential health risks earlier.

Pay attention to the need to loosen your belt or get bigger pants, researcher Aayush Visaria said in a news release.

Although clothing size isnt the same as a proper waist circumference measurement, it can be an early sign of unhealthy amounts of body fat. Measuring your waist, along with your weight, can help identify health risks earlier and provide an opportunity to reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.

How the study worked

Researchers analyzed data from 1,900 U.S. adults between the ages of 20 and 59 who participated in the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All participants had undergone whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA, scans, which researchers used as the reference for measuring body fat.

For the study, obesity based on total body fat was defined as at least 25% body fat in males and 35% in females. The researchers then compared five different ways of identifying obesity: BMI alone, waist circumference alone, BMI or waist circumference, and two versions of a newer framework that incorporates multiple body measurements.

The more complex framework includes measurements such as waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio. Researchers wanted to see whether all those measurements actually provided a meaningful advantage over simpler approaches.

What researchers found

The results favored simplicity. Waist circumference alone had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.815, compared with 0.818 for the BMI-or-waist-circumference approach. The researchers said waist circumference captured most of the diagnostic information across the comparisons.

BMI alone, meanwhile, performed substantially worse. Its sensitivity was 51.3%, compared with 71.4% for waist circumference alone. In practical terms, that means BMI alone missed a considerable number of people who met the studys body-fat criteria for obesity.

The researchers say the findings could help inform future obesity-screening recommendations and support broader use of waist measurements in routine healthcare.

For consumers, the takeaway isnt that BMI should simply be ignored. Rather, the study suggests that looking at waist circumference alongside other measures may provide a more complete picture than relying on BMI alone.

Our findings show that you dont necessarily need multiple complex measurements to identify obesity-related health risks, said Visaria. A waist measurement provides much of the information needed and is feasible for clinicians and patients alike.

Just three minutes of sprinting could change how your body responds to exercise

Kristen Dalli — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:20:57 +0000

New research finds short bursts of intense exercise can trigger changes that moderate workouts may not

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

Three minutes of all-out sprinting changed nearly a quarter of the blood proteins researchers measured immediately afterward.
The sprint workout also triggered changes in more than 200 metabolites and affected how fat cells behaved.
Many of the proteins affected by sprinting were associated with lower risks of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in a much larger health database.

If the idea of spending 90 minutes on an exercise bike sounds exhausting, new research offers an interesting reason to pay attention to workout intensity not just workout length.

Scientists at The Rockefeller University found that a few minutes of all-out sprinting produced a much larger immediate change in the bloodstream than a longer session of moderate exercise.

The researchers were interested in understanding how different types of exercise affect the molecules that help organs communicate with one another. These molecules, including proteins and metabolites released into the bloodstream during exercise, may help explain some of the body's health-related responses to physical activity.

Researchers compared sprints with longer workouts

For one part of the study, researchers analyzed blood samples from 19 young, active, metabolically healthy men.

Ten completed a sprint-interval workout consisting of six 30-second, all-out cycling sessions, with four minutes of recovery between each. The other nine completed 90 minutes of continuous cycling at moderate intensity. Blood was collected before exercise, immediately afterward, and three hours later.

The researchers also looked at participants before and after an eight-week exercise-training period. In a separate group, they examined how moderate-intensity treadmill running affected blood proteins.

Additional experiments involved exposing human fat cells to blood collected after exercise to see how the cells responded.

The results point to exercise intensity

The differences were striking. Immediately after the sprint workout, nearly one-quarter of the proteins measured had changed, compared with fewer than one-quarter of 1% after 90 minutes of moderate cycling.

Sprinting also changed more than 200 metabolites and produced an immediate increase in proteins involved in processes including blood-vessel growth, tissue remodeling, and hormonal signaling.

Blood collected after sprinting also caused extensive changes in gene activity when it was applied to human fat cells, including changes related to how the cells process fuel and respond to hormones. Moderate cycling produced much smaller changes in the fat cells.

Whats exciting here is that just a few minutes of intense exercise can trigger a significant molecular response, researcher Paul Cohen said in a news release And we still see it after eight weeks of training, which tells us this response isnt simply a product of the body struggling to keep up with unfamiliar stress. It may be that the responses we observed are intrinsic to intense exercise.

The researchers then compared the exercise-responsive proteins with health information from more than 53,000 people in the U.K. Biobank. Of 33 proteins associated with a lower risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions, 32 were changed by sprinting, compared with three after moderate exercise. More than a quarter of the proteins were also associated with slower biological aging.

Its well appreciated that different intensities of exercise stimulate distinct body-wide adaptations, researcher Luke Olsen said in the news release.

However, the molecular mechanisms linking these intensity-dependent adaptations have remained largely elusive. Our work suggests that exerkinesproteins and metabolites released into the bloodstream following exerciseare highly sensitive to exercise intensity and may be the key mediators of the health-promoting effects of short bursts of vigorous exercise.

New York City is putting the brakes on AI in elementary, middle schools

Kristen Dalli — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:19:46 +0000

New policy limits student AI use and screen time

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

New York City is imposing a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI for students from 2-K through eighth grade.
High school students will receive AI literacy lessons, while a small number of classrooms will test five approved AI programs.
The new policy also limits screen time for younger students and requires technology used in schools to undergo a more thorough review.

Artificial intelligence is showing up in more parts of everyday life, and classrooms are no exception. But New York City is taking a cautious approach to how much of the technology students should use at school.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels announced a new policy that combines restrictions on student-facing generative AI with age-appropriate screen time limits. The changes will affect nearly 600,000 public school students, or about two-thirds of the system's total enrollment.

The policy puts a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI for students in 2-K through eighth grade during the 2026-27 school year. Companion chatbots will be prohibited across all grades.

Children need teachers and human connection in order to learn and grow. They need to develop skills alongside their peers, build relationships with educators and wrestle with tough problems on their own, Mayor Mamdani said in a news release.

The tech industry wants us to believe that AI-powered early education is not only inevitable, but necessary. We do not see it that way. Thats why were implementing a moratorium on generative AI for students in 2-K through 8th grade and spending the next year studying the impacts of this technology.

What the new policy includes

High school students won't be completely shut out from AI. Instead, all high school students will have access to two 45-minute AI literacy lessons each year. The classes will cover what AI is and isn't, along with topics including bias, risks, ethics, and potential effects on careers and future skills.

The city will also introduce five limited AI pilots in high schools. The programs will be available to a maximum of 50,000 general education students, or about 5% of the city's public school population.

The programs include:

Quill: Accessed by English language arts classrooms, Quill is designed to support close reading, text analysis and the use of evidence to support claims. Students will use Quill for no more than 15 minutes per week.
Edia: Accessed by math classrooms, Edia is designed to provide step-by-step coaching and prompt students to explain their reasoning. Students will use Edia for no more than 20 minutes per week.
Brisk Teaching: Accessed through teacher-created activities, Brisk Teaching is designed to provide guided practice using teacher-selected texts or videos, with objectives and guardrails set by the teacher. Students will use Brisk Boost for 10 to 20 minutes once or twice per week.
Playlab: To be used across multiple subjects, Playlab is designed to help students engage with assignment-specific applications and examine AI outputs for bias and reasoning. No more than two assignments per marking period will use Playlab.
Intel AI-Ready Schools: To be used across multiple subjects, Intel AI-Ready Schools is designed to help students identify community problems and develop AI solutions through semester-long projects. Students will use the tool for one period per week.

Use will be tightly controlled. Each high school can offer the pilots in no more than five classes, and students must use the tools under direct supervision from a trained educator. The programs also have specific limits on how frequently students can use them.

Meanwhile, more than 38 previously allowed programs will have their AI components discontinued or disabled if they don't meet the city's new standards.

Screen time limits

The policy also addresses screen use more broadly. Students in second grade and younger will have restrictions on individual screen time, while the city recommends a maximum of 30 minutes a day for students in third through fifth grade and 45 minutes for students in sixth through eighth grade.

There are some exceptions. Students with disabilities, multilingual students, and students in career-preparation programs such as computer science can receive exceptions for assistive technology.

Teachers can also continue using AI for lesson planning and administrative tasks when the tools meet NYC Public Schools' safety requirements.

What this means for families

For parents of younger NYC public school students, the biggest change is straightforward: their children won't be using student-facing generative AI at school during the coming school year.

As Chancellor and as a parent, I believe our job is to protect what makes learning work, while ensuring every child has the critical thinking skills they need before graduating,said Chancellor Samuels.

Wereputting guardrails in place to protect the human connection, curiosity, and creativity that help children grow.Werestanding firmly in our belief thatinnovation does not mean more technology, andover the next year, we will lead with evidence to make sure technology serves learning not the other way around.

The city says the policy is intentionally temporary. A new Technology in Schools Coalition will spend the 2026-27 school year evaluating the moratorium and pilot programs before publishing recommendations for future school years.

As a former middle school teacher, I'm so pleased to see that Mayo Mamdani r is taking a nuanced approach to a new and rapidly changing educational tool, said State Senator Jabari Brisport.

We took too long to respond to the effects of social media and smart phones on our youth. This combination of a one-year ban with select pilot programs allows us to take a serious look at AI usage in schools and find a path that allows our students to adapt to our changing world in a safe manner.

Southwest is opening its first-ever airport lounges — here's who gets access

Kyle James — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:31:30 +0000

Four lounges will debut in 2027, with at least seven more locations planned

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

Southwest is opening its first-ever airport lounges: Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville will get the first locations in late 2027.
A new premium credit card will include lounge access: But Southwest hasn't revealed the card's annual fee or whether travelers will have other ways to get in.
This is just the beginning: At least seven additional lounges are planned as Southwest continues its shift toward a more premium flying experience.

Southwest Airlines is checking another item off the traditional-airline checklist: airport lounges.

The airline announced Wednesday that it will launch its first-ever airport lounge network, starting with locations in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville.

The first lounges are expected to open in late 2027, and Southwest says it's already thinking bigger. At least seven additional locations are planned over the next several years, potentially giving Southwest a network of 11 or more lounges.

Here's what we know so far.

Where are the lounges going?

The first four locations will be at the following airports:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu (HNL)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Southwest says construction is already underway at all four airports.

The airline hasn't revealed the other seven-plus airports being considered for future lounges.

Here's one way you'll get in

Southwest is partnering with Chase to develop the lounges, combining the airline's brand with elements of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network.

Along with the lounges, Chase will introduce a new premium Rapid Rewards credit card in 2027 that includes lounge access.

But some important details are still missing. Southwest hasn't announced the card's annual fee or provided complete details about other ways travelers may be able to enter.

That means we don't yet know whether travelers will be able to buy a day pass or gain access through certain tickets, elite status, or other premium credit cards.

Pro tip: Don't apply for a new Southwest card solely for lounge access until the annual fee and complete access rules are announced. Once they are, divide the annual fee by the number of times you realistically expect to use a lounge each year to help determine whether the perk is worth it.

What will be inside?

Southwest isn't revealing every detail yet, but says travelers can expect food and beverages inspired by the cities where the lounges are located.

There will also be spaces designed for travelers to work, recharge, and relax before their flights.

The partnership with Chase is also worth watching. Chase already operates Sapphire lounges at several airports, so Southwest travelers could end up with an experience considerably more upscale than what they've traditionally associated with the airline.

Exact amenities, lounge sizes, and operating hours haven't been announced.

This is a very different Southwest

The lounges are perhaps most interesting because of what they say about the direction Southwest is heading.

The airline built its reputation by doing things differently from traditional carriers. But recently, Southwest has increasingly added features that look more like its competitors.

It ditched its famous open-seating system and began flying with assigned seats in January 2026. It now sells extra-legroom seating and uses a new boarding process.

Rapid Rewards members also receive free inflight Wi-Fi, and Southwest has begun installing Starlink across its fleet.

Now it's getting airport lounges.

For travelers who want a more premium experience, many of those changes could be welcome. But the value of Southwest's new lounges will ultimately come down to how much getting through the door will cost you.

Until Southwest and Chase reveal the annual fee for the new premium card and whether there will be other ways to enter, travelers shouldn't put a dollar value on this new perk just yet.

Cyclospora cases surge across nearly the entire U.S.

Mark Huffman — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:35:48 +0000

More than 18,000 confirmed infections have been reported

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

18,445 domestically acquired cases of cyclosporiasis have been recorded in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
A major outbreak was traced to processed iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, but the recalled products are no longer expected to be in stores or restaurants.
Consumers should watch for prolonged watery diarrhea and specifically ask about Cyclospora testing because routine stool tests may not detect the parasite.

Cyclospora, which has been around all summer, isnt going away. The nations unusually large surge in infections has spread to nearly every state, but consumers should understand that health officials are tracking several groups of illnesses not one outbreak tied to a single food.

One of the latest media reports said 17,180 laboratory-confirmed cases had been recorded in 48 states and Washington, D.C. However, the numbers are increasing quickly.

In its latest update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it had received reports of 18,445 domestically acquired cases since May 1, affecting 49 states and the District of Columbia.

At least 990 patients have been hospitalized and two have died. By comparison, only 1,180 cases were reported during the same seasonal period in 2025.

The count could continue to rise. The CDC said it can take about six weeks for an illness to be identified, investigated, and reported to the agency. Officials are also reviewing at least 13,505 additional illnesses that have not been laboratory-confirmed or are awaiting patient interviews and other information.

Lettuce outbreak explains many but not all cases

A large portion of this years increase has been connected to processed iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico. That outbreak has been linked to 11,458 confirmed illnesses in 20 states, 495 hospitalizations, and the two reported deaths.

The lettuce was served or sold at several locations, including some Taco Bell restaurants. Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17.

The immediate risk from that particular lettuce has largely passed. The CDC said its best-by dates have expired and the products should no longer be available at stores or restaurants. Consumers are not currently being advised to avoid all iceberg lettuce.

However, the lettuce outbreak does not account for every reported illness. The CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating other clusters for which a food source has not been confirmed. That means consumers should continue following food-safety alerts rather than assuming the problem is over.

What is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis.People usually become infected by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the parasite.

Symptoms generally begin about a week after exposure, although they can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks or longer. The most common symptom is frequent, watery diarrhea.

Other symptoms can include:

Loss of appetite and weight loss
Stomach cramps, bloating, and gas
Nausea and fatigue
Vomiting, body aches, headache, or a low-grade fever

Without treatment, the illness can last a month or longer. Symptoms may disappear and then return. People with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe or prolonged illness.

Consumers experiencing persistent diarrhea should contact a healthcare provider and mention the possibility of Cyclospora exposure. Detecting the parasite requires specialized laboratory testing that may not be included in a routine stool panel. In some cases, several samples collected on different days may be needed.

The standard treatment is the prescription antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, commonly sold as Bactrim or Septra. Patients with sulfa allergies should discuss other options with their healthcare provider.

Reducing the risk

Consumers should wash their hands before and after preparing produce and rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water. Firm produce such as cucumbers and melons can be scrubbed with a clean produce brush.

Washing reduces contamination but cannot guarantee that Cyclospora has been removed. Cooking produce to at least 158 degrees can kill the parasite. Cut, peeled, or cooked produce should be refrigerated within two hours.

Most importantly, consumers should follow CDC case updates and FDA food-safety alerts. If investigators identify another food source requiring consumer action, federal health agencies are expected to issue a specific warning or recall.

Rising diesel prices could make almost everything more expensive

Mark Huffman — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:05:48 +0000

The fuel powers the trucks, trains, and machinery that move goods through the economy

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

The national average diesel price has climbed to about $5.69 a gallon, nearly $2 more than a year ago.
Higher diesel costs can raise prices for groceries, packages, construction projects, and other goods because trucks, trains, and farm machinery depend heavily on the fuel.
Consumers may also encounter higher delivery fees, fuel surcharges, and home-heating expenses even if they drive gasoline-powered or electric vehicles.

Consumers watching gasoline prices may be overlooking another potentially significant inflation threat: the rapidly rising cost of diesel fuel.

The national average price of diesel reached $5.69 a gallon on Sept. 2, according to AAA. That was up from $5.36 a month earlier and $3.69 a year ago an increase of nearly $2 a gallon, or about 54%.

The latest government survey showed a similar trend. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) put the average price of on-highway diesel at $5.60 a gallon for the week ending Aug. 31. Although that was down about five cents from the previous week, it was $1.87 higher than a year earlier, according to the EIAs weekly fuel report.

Even if you dont drive a big truck, thats a problem.

Unlike gasoline, diesel is not primarily a consumer fuel. It is an industrial fuel used to move, grow, and build much of what Americans buy. That means its price can work its way into household budgets through a variety of indirect channels.

Trucking costs are the first link

Most consumer products spend at least part of their journey on a diesel-powered truck. When fuel prices increase, trucking companies may impose or increase fuel surcharges charged to manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

Those businesses must then decide whether to absorb the expense or pass it along to customers.

Consider a large truck that travels 100,000 miles a year and averages six miles per gallon. A diesel increase of $1.87 a gallon would add more than $31,000 to its annual fuel bill, assuming its mileage and fuel economy remain unchanged.

Large carriers may protect themselves with fuel contracts or surcharge agreements. Smaller trucking companies and independent drivers often have less bargaining power and may feel the increase more quickly.

Groceries may be especially vulnerable

Food prices can be affected at several stages of production.

Farmers use diesel in tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment. Trucks transport fertilizer, animal feed, and other supplies to farms, then carry crops and livestock to processing plants.

Finished food products must still be delivered to warehouses, supermarkets, and restaurants.

Fresh produce, meat, and dairy products may be particularly sensitive because they require frequent, time-critical deliveries. Refrigerated trailers also burn additional fuel to keep products cold.

Consumers are unlikely to see a separate diesel charge on a supermarket receipt. Instead, the added expense may appear gradually in the prices of individual products.

Online orders and home deliveries

Higher transportation costs can also affect online shopping. Retailers and delivery companies may respond by increasing shipping charges, raising minimum-purchase requirements for free delivery, or adding fuel surcharges to certain services.

The impact could extend to furniture, appliances, and building materials, which are heavy and expensive to transport. Contractors may also adjust their estimates as the cost of operating diesel pickups, excavators, loaders, and generators rises.

Waste collection companies, landscapers, moving companies, and home-repair services are among the other businesses that could pass along part of their higher fuel bills.

Heating and public services

Diesel is closely related to heating oil, and the two fuels compete for similar refinery output. A tight market for distillate fuels can therefore raise heating expenses for households particularly in the Northeast, where heating oil remains common.

Local governments and school districts may also face higher costs for buses, snowplows, emergency vehicles, and road equipment. Transit agencies operating diesel buses could have less money available for other services or may eventually seek higher fares.

Railroads use diesel locomotives to move everything from automobiles to grain. Higher rail costs can add another layer of expense before products ever reach a truck or store.

What is pushing prices higher?

Current pressure reflects more than the price of crude oil. Diesel supplies have been tightened by global refinery disruptions, geopolitical conflict, and limits on exports from some producing countries.

U.S. distillate inventories, which include diesel and heating oil, stood about 14% below their five-year seasonal average in late August, according to EIA data. That leaves less of a cushion when refineries go offline or international supplies are disrupted.

Renewed conflict involving the U.S. and Iran has also increased crude prices and shipping risks, while restrictions on Russian fuel exports have further tightened the global diesel market.

Consumers may not feel the full effect immediately. Transportation contracts and existing inventories can delay price increases for weeks or months. But if diesel remains elevated, more companies are likely to pass at least part of the added expense along making the price on the diesel pump relevant to nearly every household, regardless of what is parked in the driveway.

Amazon’s Alexa can now help identify scam messages

Mark Huffman — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:44:56 +0000

Its a case of AI preventing a scam instead of causing one

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

U.S. customers can ask Alexa for Shopping whether an email, text message, or phone call actually came from Amazon.
The AI-powered tool compares the communication with Amazons records and returns one of three answers: verified, not from Amazon, or unable to verify.
Consumers should still avoid clicking suspicious links and contact Amazon through its app or website when there is any doubt.

Weve told you how AI is making scams more dangerous and effective. But heres a case where AI might expose a scam.

Amazon is giving shoppers a new way to investigate suspicious messages before clicking a link, sharing personal information, or sending money, using its AI assistant.

The company has introduced an Alexa for Shopping feature that can verify whether an email, text, WhatsApp message, or phone call actually came from Amazon. The tool is launching in the United States, with plans to expand to other regions.

The feature addresses a common problem for shoppers. Scammers frequently impersonate Amazon in messages claiming there is a delivery problem, an unauthorized purchase, an expired Prime membership, or a refund waiting to be collected.

Those messages often pressure recipients to respond immediately, click a link, or call a telephone number controlled by the scammer. Amazon said about 360,000 customers contact its customer service department each year to ask whether a communication is genuine.

Scammers thrive when customers cant easily verify whether a message is real, Scott Knapp, Amazons vice president of worldwide buyer risk prevention, said in the companys announcement.

How the verification works

Customers can describe the communication to Alexa for Shopping, including who appeared to send it, when it arrived and what it said.

For example, a shopper could ask:

Did Amazon send me a text about a delivery problem yesterday?
Is this email about my Prime membership real?
I received a call about an Amazon refund. Did that come from Amazon?

The system uses artificial intelligence to compare those details against Amazons record of communications sent through its own systems. It also examines the sender information, content, timing, and formatting.

Alexa then provides one of three responses. It may confirm that the communication came from Amazon, report that it does not match an official communication, or say that it does not have enough information to verify it.

Amazon said the tool will confirm that a message is genuine only when it is completely certain. When it cannot reach a conclusion, it may ask the customer to supply more details or use another verification method.

Messages submitted through the feature are also reported to Amazons customer protection and enforcement team. The company said those reports can help it identify new scam tactics and take action against the people behind them.

Dont rely on appearance alone

The feature could be helpful because fraudulent communications have become increasingly convincing. Criminals can copy Amazons colors, logos, and formatting while disguising email addresses and phone numbers.

Consumers should nevertheless continue to treat unexpected messages cautiously. A message that creates a false sense of urgency, requests payment with gift cards, or asks for a password or one-time security code should be considered a major warning sign.

Amazon says it will not ask customers to provide their password, one-time passcode, or sensitive personal information over the phone. It also will not demand payment by telephone or email.

When a message cannot be verified, consumers should avoid replying or using any link or telephone number contained in it. Instead, they should open the Amazon app or type Amazon.com into a browser and check their orders and account directly.

People who do not use Alexa for Shopping can forward a questionable communication to verify@amazon.com. That service is available worldwide and does not require an Amazon account. Amazon also offers a verification form through its customer service website.

Low-carb diet may deliver liver benefits beyond weight loss, study finds

Mark Huffman — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:42:37 +0000

A ketogenic diet produced improvements in liver fat and blood sugar

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

A controlled clinical trial found that three very different diets produced similar weight loss and improved overall metabolic health.
Participants following a very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet saw larger reductions in liver fat and greater improvements in blood sugar control.
The study was small and highly supervised, so researchers have not established whether the results can be maintained under everyday conditions.

Dieting sort of seems old-fashioned now that people trying to lose weight are flocking to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, but researchers have found a diet that might have added health benefits.

New research has found that a very low-carbohydrate diet may provide additional benefits for people with obesity, prediabetes, and fatty liver disease.

In a randomized clinical trial, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis compared the effects of three diets with sharply different proportions of carbohydrates, fat, and protein.

All three helped participants lose about the same amount of weight. However, the ketogenic diet produced greater improvements in liver health and blood sugar control, the researchers reported. The findings were published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

The researchers recruited 55 adults with obesity, prediabetes, and excess fat in the liver. Participants were randomly assigned to follow one of three diets for approximately five months:

A very low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet;
A high-carbohydrate, low-fat, plant-forward diet; or
A Mediterranean diet with a more balanced mix of carbohydrates and fat.

The study was more tightly controlled than most diet research. Participants received all their food from the researchers and met with a dietitian each week, making it easier for them to stick to their assigned eating plans.

Weight loss helped every group

Participants in all three groups lost approximately 10% of their starting body weight. Muscle insulin sensitivity the ability of muscle cells to respond to insulin improved by about 50% across the three groups.

Because those improvements were similar despite the diets different compositions, researchers said weight loss itself appeared to be the main factor improving insulin resistance in muscle.

Weight loss even just a moderate amount is universally beneficial in people who are metabolically unhealthy, said Max Petersen, an assistant professor of medicine at WashU Medicine and the studys first author.

The results differed when researchers examined the liver, however.

Liver insulin sensitivity improved two to three times more among people on the ketogenic diet than among participants following either of the other diets. The ketogenic group also reduced liver fat by 67%, compared with a 45% reduction in the Mediterranean and plant-forward groups.

That difference could be important for people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, commonly called fatty liver disease. The condition can progress to liver inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis.

Blood sugar also improved

The ketogenic diet produced the largest improvement in glucose control. Average 24-hour blood sugar levels fell 20% from the start of the study in that group, compared with 8% in each of the other groups.

Daily insulin levels declined 74% among participants following the ketogenic diet. By comparison, insulin fell 44% in the Mediterranean group and 27% in the plant-forward group.

Half of the ketogenic-diet participants no longer met the criteria for prediabetes at the end of the trial. That compared with 29% of people following the Mediterranean diet and 7% of those on the high-carbohydrate diet.

What consumers should know

The findings do not mean a ketogenic diet is the best choice for everyone. The trial included only 55 people with a specific combination of obesity, prediabetes, and fatty liver disease. It also lasted about five months and provided participants with all their meals conditions that may be difficult to reproduce at home.

Strict ketogenic diets can also be difficult to sustain and may require adjustments for people taking diabetes or blood-pressure medications. Consumers considering a major reduction in carbohydrates should consult a doctor or registered dietitian, particularly if they have diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, or another chronic condition.

The broader conclusion may be more encouraging: All three diets improved metabolic health when they produced meaningful weight loss. But for people with obesity and fatty liver disease, the study suggests that carbohydrate intake could influence some health outcomes independently of the number on the scale.

Why auto and homeowners insurance keeps getting more expensive

Mark Huffman — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:39:41 +0000

Its a combination of complex automotive technology and natural disasters

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 3, 2026

Auto insurers are paying more for repairs, medical care, and legal settlements as vehicles become more technologically complex.
Homeowners insurers face mounting losses from hurricanes, wildfires, hailstorms, and other severe weather, along with higher rebuilding costs.
Premium increases may continue even after inflation cools because insurance rates often reflect losses from previous years and require regulatory approval.

Insurance premiums have become an increasingly painful part of household budgets, with many drivers and homeowners paying substantially more than they did just a few years ago.

The reasons go beyond general inflation. Insurers are confronting more expensive claims, costly natural disasters, and changing risks that are difficult to predict. In some markets, companies are also trying to recover losses incurred when premiums failed to keep pace with rapidly rising costs.

Recent figures suggest that some of the pressure on auto premiums may be easing. The motor vehicle insurance index declined 4.5% during the 12 months ending in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But that national average follows several years of sharp increases, and consumers in some states are still receiving large renewal notices.

Why auto insurance costs more

One of the biggest forces behind higher auto premiums is the rising cost of repairing a vehicle.

Modern cars contain cameras, radar units, sensors, and other electronics that support safety features such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Even a minor collision can damage that equipment, which may require replacement and recalibration.

Labor and parts have also become more expensive. The BLS reported that motor vehicle maintenance and repair costs rose 6.6% during the 12 months ending in July.

Other factors include:

Higher medical bills following accidents
Larger jury awards and legal settlements
More claims involving distracted or dangerous driving
Vehicle theft and insurance fraud
Weather-related damage from hail, flooding, and hurricanes

Insurers must also account for the higher value of vehicles. Even though used-car prices have retreated from their pandemic-era peak, replacing a totaled car generally remains more expensive than it was several years ago.

A policyholders location, driving history, annual mileage, vehicle, and credit-based insurance score where state law allows its use can all affect the final premium.

Why homeowners insurance costs more

Homeowners insurance is under a different but overlapping set of pressures.

The most visible factor is the growing cost of natural disasters. Hurricanes and wildfires can produce enormous losses, but insurers are also paying billions of dollars for thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail events scattered across the country.

A Treasury Department analysis found that homeowners in areas with the greatest climate-related risks paid substantially more than those in the lowest-risk ZIP codes. They were also more likely to have their policies canceled or not renewed.

The price of rebuilding is another major issue. Construction labor, roofing materials, lumber, and household equipment all cost more than they did before the pandemic. When replacement costs increase, insurers may raise both the homes coverage limit and the premium charged for that protection.

Insurers also purchase their own coverage, known as reinsurance, to protect themselves against catastrophic losses. When reinsurance becomes more expensive or difficult to obtain, those costs can work their way into homeowners premiums.

In particularly risky markets, some insurers have stopped writing new policies or reduced their exposure. Less competition can leave homeowners with fewer choices and push some into expensive state-backed insurance programs.

Why premiums can rise after inflation slows

Insurance pricing tends to lag behind changes in the economy.

A company may discover that the premiums it collected in one year were insufficient to cover claims. It then seeks higher rates for the following year. In states where regulators must approve increases, the process can add another delay.

That means consumers may face an increase today based partly on repair bills, lawsuits, or disaster losses incurred months or years earlier. Industry data show property and casualty insurers have begun to recover financially after several years of elevated claims, but that does not guarantee immediate relief for policyholders, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

What consumers can do

Shopping around remains one of the most effective responses because insurers calculate risk differently. Consumers should compare identical coverage limits and deductibles rather than looking only at the quoted premium.

Bundling home and auto policies may produce a discount, but shoppers should still compare the combined price against separate policies. Raising deductibles can reduce premiums, provided the household has enough savings to pay the larger amount after a loss.

Drivers may also qualify for discounts based on low mileage, safe-driving programs, or defensive-driving courses. Homeowners can ask about credits for newer roofs, storm shutters, monitored alarms, water-leak sensors, and other loss-prevention improvements.

Consumers should be cautious about reducing liability or replacement-cost coverage simply to lower the bill. A cheaper policy can become extremely expensive if it leaves a major claim inadequately covered.

Panda Express wants its $100K managers to buy homes — here's how hard that is in 2026

Kyle James — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:15:03 +0000

Earning six figures sounds like you've made it, but today's home prices and mortgage rates tell a different story

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

September 2, 2026

$100K may not be enough: Redfin estimates buyers now need to earn about $109,800 a year to afford the typical U.S. home.
Upfront costs add up: A 15% down payment on a $434,100 home is about $65,000, and that doesn't include closing costs.
Location changes everything: A six-figure salary can provide solid buying power in some areas but fall far short in expensive markets.

Panda Express has an admirable way of measuring whether some of its employees are succeeding.

The company's co-founder and co-CEO Andrew Cherng told NBC News that he keeps track of how many Panda Express managers earn at least $100,000 a year, and whether they're able to buy a home.

It's definitely a worthy goal, especially as he uses it as a gauge for his own success. There's just one problem: In 2026, even a $100,000 salary may not be enough to afford the typical American home.

Here's what the numbers actually look like.

$100,000 isn't quite the homebuying salary it used to be

Redfin recently calculated that an American needs to earn about $109,800 a year to afford the typical U.S. home for sale. That's roughly $10,000 more than Panda's six-figure benchmark.

Redfin defines "affordable" as spending no more than 30% of income on the monthly housing payment and assumes a 15% down payment.

Meanwhile, the median existing home sold for $434,100 in July, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Mortgage rates, of course, aren't helping. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 6.66% as of Aug. 27, according to Freddie Mac. A year earlier, it was 6.56%.

That means earning $100,000 certainly doesn't make homeownership impossible. But it no longer automatically puts a typical home comfortably within reach.

Then there's the cash you need before getting the keys

The monthly mortgage payment is only half the story.

Consider a $434,100 home. A 15% down payment would be about $65,000. Put down 10%, and you're still looking at more than $43,000.

And then come closing costs. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says they typically run another 2% to 5% of the purchase price, separate from your down payment.

On a $434,100 home, that's roughly $8,700 to $21,700.

Suddenly, a buyer earning $100,000 could need tens of thousands of dollars in cash before making their first mortgage payment.

Pro tip: Don't make your savings goal simply "the down payment." Estimate the down payment, closing costs, and moving expenses. Then leave yourself an emergency fund for the inevitable expense that shows up after you get the keys.

Your $100K salary isn't the only number lenders see

Two people earning exactly $100,000 can have dramatically different homebuying power.

Why? Because of debt.

Mortgage lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, which compares your monthly debt obligations with your gross monthly income.

Fannie Mae guidelines generally cap DTI at 36% for manually underwritten loans, although borrowers who meet certain requirements can go as high as 45%. Loans run through Fannie Mae's automated underwriting system can allow up to 50%.

So a $600 car payment, $400 in student loans, and $300 in minimum credit-card payments can eat into the mortgage payment you can qualify for.

Pro tip: Ask a lender to run the numbers before you're ready to buy. Find out whether putting another $10,000 toward your down payment or eliminating a monthly debt would improve your buying power more.

Where you live changes everything

There's another huge flaw in treating $100,000 as a universal homeownership benchmark: your ZIP code.

In some parts of the country, six figures can still provide plenty of buying power. In the San Francisco Bay Area, $100,000 obviously doesnt come close to affording the typical home, which requires a salary close to $445,000.

But consider Phoenix, which is a much more typical example. Redfin's latest analysis found that a household needs to earn about $118,500 a year to afford the typical Phoenix-area home.

That's nearly $20,000 more than Panda's $100,000 benchmark.

And Phoenix isn't alone. In Dallas, Redfin puts the required income at about $118,900, while Austin buyers need roughly $132,600, and Denver buyers need about $157,100.

Meanwhile, $100,000 can still be enough in markets like Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.

The lesson isn't that someone earning $100,000 shouldn't try to buy a home. It's that "I make six figures" and "I can afford a house" are often no longer the same statement.

How does $100K compare with other fast-food managers?

Panda Express isn't the only fast-food chain where managing a restaurant can turn into a six-figure career.

In-N-Out Burger has long had a reputation for paying its store managers well. Current Indeed estimates put the average In-N-Out store manager salary in California at about $116,800 a year. That's considerably more than managers typically make at some other major chains.

Chipotle says its general managers have the potential to earn about $93,100 in base pay and bonuses, while employees who advance to its "Restaurateur" position can reach about $116,100 in base pay, bonuses, and equity benefits.

At Taco Bell, meanwhile, Indeed currently estimates average general manager pay at about $58,200 a year, although compensation can vary considerably because many restaurants are operated by franchisees.

The comparison puts Panda's $100,000 milestone into perspective.

A six-figure salary is still exceptional for a fast-food restaurant manager. But even workers who climb into that relatively elite income bracket can discover that today's housing market has moved the goalposts.

And for many of the managers who make closer to $60,000, buying a typical U.S. home can be considerably harder.

The bottom line: When deciding whether you can afford a home, don't use salary alone as the determining factor. Instead, its smart to start with the home prices where you actually live, then plug in today's mortgage rate, add taxes and insurance, and work backwards to determine the income and savings you'll really need to make it happen.

Can GLP-1 drugs help people get off insulin?

Kristen Dalli — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:14:32 +0000

A new study finds the popular diabetes medications may not make stopping insulin more likely

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 2, 2026

A Yale-led study looked at whether GLP-1 drugs could help people with type 2 diabetes stop using insulin.
Researchers analyzed three years of health records from nearly 9,000 matched groups of veterans with type 2 diabetes.
People taking GLP-1 drugs stopped insulin at about the same rate as those taking two other types of diabetes medications.

GLP-1 drugs have become a major topic in diabetes care, and previous research has found that these medications can reduce how much insulin some people need. But a bigger question remains: Can they actually help people with type 2 diabetes stop taking insulin altogether?

A new study led by researchers at Yale School of Medicine examined that question. The researchers compared people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists with people taking two other types of oral diabetes medications to see whether GLP-1 treatment was associated with higher rates of insulin discontinuation.

Insulin can be an effective treatment for people with type 2 diabetes, but it also comes with daily injections, frequent monitoring, and the possibility of low blood sugar reactions. That makes the possibility of safely reducing or stopping insulin an important question for some patients.

How did researchers study it?

The researchers used electronic health record data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They created 8,869 matched sets of veterans with type 2 diabetes who were already using basal insulin and had started treatment with one of three types of medications: a GLP-1 receptor agonist, an SGLT-2 inhibitor, or a DPP-4 inhibitor.

The groups were matched based on similar health characteristics, allowing researchers to compare insulin discontinuation rates across the different treatments. The researchers then followed the patients' records for three years.

For the study, stopping insulin was defined as having a gap of at least 12 months between insulin prescription fills. Most people receiving GLP-1 treatment in the study were taking semaglutide, dulaglutide, or liraglutide.

What did they find?

Over the three-year follow-up period, 16.7% of people who started a GLP-1 drug discontinued insulin. That compared with 17.9% of those taking an SGLT-2 inhibitor and 17.1% of those taking a DPP-4 inhibitor. Researchers did not find a comparative advantage for GLP-1 drugs when it came to stopping insulin.

That doesn't mean GLP-1 drugs can't reduce insulin needs. Instead, the study suggests that simply adding a GLP-1 medication does not necessarily make a person more likely to stop insulin than taking the other medications studied.

It's very complex, researcher Kasia Lipska, M.D., MHS, said in a news release. Patients often add or switch medications over time, so it becomes very difficult to disentangle.

The researchers also pointed out some limitations. This was not a randomized clinical trial, and patients' treatments could change over time. In addition, people in the study did not advance to the full doses of GLP-1 drugs currently available, which may have affected the results.

For consumers, the findings also highlight a less-discussed issue: There isn't a standard approach for knowing when and how to safely withdraw insulin. According to the researchers, more guidance may be needed to help clinicians determine when reducing or stopping insulin is appropriate.

Most training for diabetes care is about starting and adjusting dose, not stopping or withdrawing, Dr. Lipska said.

The lesson may be that prescribing a GLP-1 receptor agonist is only the first step. If we want to help people safely come off insulin, we also need to know when and how to withdraw it. Right now, clinicians have very little guidance for doing that.

Think you should always finish your antibiotics? New research says it’s complicated

Kristen Dalli — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:11:26 +0000

Many Americans still believe longer antibiotic courses are safer, even as medical guidance continues to evolve

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 2, 2026

Nearly nine in 10 Americans surveyed said they believe its important to always finish a prescribed antibiotic course.
About 60% preferred taking antibiotics for seven days or longer rather than a shorter three- to five-day course.
Researchers say patients should talk with their clinicians about the appropriate length of treatment rather than relying on the old always finish your antibiotics rule.

If youve ever been prescribed antibiotics, youve probably heard the same advice: Take the entire prescription, even if you start feeling better. Its a message that has been repeated for years by doctors and public health campaigns.

But medical thinking about antibiotic treatment has evolved. Research has found that shorter courses can be just as effective and sometimes safer than longer ones for many common bacterial infections. That means the old idea that everyone should always complete a long course of antibiotics doesnt apply to every situation.

A new study from researchers at the University of Utah and the University of Alabama at Birmingham looked at how well Americans understand those changing recommendations. The findings suggest that the older message remains deeply ingrained.

Historically, there was very strong guidance by major health organizations and clinicians that you must always finish the course, researcher Alistair Thorpe, PhD, said in a news release.

Now, were seeing a growing body of evidence saying that that is not always the case. And oftentimes, shorter durations of antibiotics are as effective and safe as longer alternatives.

How the study worked

Researchers surveyed 1,475 U.S. adults online between March and April 2024. Participants were at least 18 years old and were recruited through Dynata, which compensated them for taking part.

The survey asked participants which antibiotic treatment they would feel more comfortable taking for a bacterial respiratory infection, such as pneumonia: a shorter course of three to five days or a longer course of at least seven days.

Participants also answered questions about whether they had been told to always finish their antibiotics, whether they had been told they could stop taking them when they felt better, and how they viewed the safety and effectiveness of different treatment lengths.

Most people still favor longer courses

The majority of respondents 60.4% said they would prefer a course lasting at least seven days, compared with 39.5% who preferred three to five days. More than 60% also viewed longer courses as safer and more effective.

Meanwhile, 88.4% agreed that its important to always finish a prescribed antibiotic, even after they begin feeling better. About three-quarters of respondents who had received that advice said it came from a medical professional.

The researchers say these beliefs may be partly explained by how often Americans have heard the traditional message. But they emphasize that antibiotic recommendations can change as researchers learn more.

For consumers, the takeaway isnt to stop an antibiotic early on their own. Instead, the researchers recommend having a conversation with your clinician about the appropriate treatment length for your particular infection and when you should stop taking the medication.

Evidence is growing and guidance is evolving on antibiotic use, which is a normal process and a good sign that we are working to improve how we provide care, Dr. Thorpe said.

Our knowledge about how best to use antibiotics has changed, but it has changed because were learning more, and its important that we make sure we are communicating this well to the public.