Consumer News: Cookie prices fell in December but eggs and coffee cost more

Ford logs a multi-model fire risk sweep as VW faces wheel detachments and Hyundai battles sudden braking

Each week, NHTSA recalls roll in, and we round them up in one place. Heres the latest batch for the week of October 20, 2025.

         Ford (6)
    BMW (2)      Porsche (2)
    Contenders: Hyundai (2), Bentley (2), Altec (2), Volkswagen (2)
      

Threats include Salmonella, undeclared allergens and plastic contamination

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Mondelz recalls 70 cases of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches due to mislabeling that could pose a serious risk to people with peanut allergies.

• Fromm Family Foods recalls 300 cases of frozen dog food after reports of plastic contamination in Bonnihill Farms BeefiBowls Beef Recipe.

• Wegmans Deluxe Mixed Nuts recalled after supplier testing found Salmonella-contaminated pistachios used in certain lots.

A series of voluntary recalls affecting popular household brands and pet food products were announced lastweek, prompting renewed calls for consumers to check their pantries and freezers. While no illnesses or injuries have been reported in any of the three cases, companies say they are acting out of an abundance of caution.

Mondelz Global LLC issued a recall for 70 cases of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches distributed to retailers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alabama.

The affected productslimited to a single SKU and two code dates previously involved in a July recallmay contain peanut butter crackers in packages incorrectly labeled as the cheese variety. Because peanuts are a major food allergen, the error could lead to serious or life-threatening reactions in people with peanut allergies.

All outer cartons are correctly labeled with a contains peanuts advisory, the company said. Only the 27.6 oz., 20-count carton with plant code AE and Best When Used By dates 8 JAN 26 and 15 JAN 26 is included.

Mondelz said the mix-up occurred when 70 cases were inadvertently shipped to retailers. No illnesses have been reported, and corrective actions are underway. Consumers with a peanut allergy are urged not to eat the product and may contact the company at 1-844-366-1171.

Plastic contamination

Fromm Family Foods has announced a recall of 300 cases of Bonnihill Farms BeefiBowls Beef Recipe frozen dog food after receiving complaints of plastic pieces in the product.

The recall includes 16 oz. chubs with Best By date 12/25/2026 and lot code B01, distributed through neighborhood pet stores across Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Ontario, Canada.

While no injuries have been reported, dogs that ingest plastic may suffer from vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, or more serious intestinal obstruction. The company has identified the source of the issue and implemented additional safety measures beyond its current protocols.

Consumers should stop feeding the product to pets and return it to their retailer. Questions can be directed to 1-800-325-6331 or info@frommfamily.com.

Wegmans Deluxe Mixed Nuts

Mellace Family Brands California, Inc. has recalled two sizes of Wegmans Deluxe Mixed Nuts Unsalted after internal testing found Salmonella in a lot of raw pistachios used in production.

The recall affects the following products sold between November 3 and December 1, 2025, at Wegmans stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.:

• 34 oz. plastic tub (UPC 077890421314), lot code 58041, Best By JUL 28, 2026

• 11.5 oz. plastic bag (UPC 077890421352), lot code 58171, Best By AUG 10, 2026

Salmonella infections can pose severe health risks, especially to young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

No illnesses have been reported. Customers can return affected products for a full refund or call Wegmans at 1-855-934-3663.

The market is giving back some post-pandemic gains

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than half of U.S. homes lost value over the past year, the highest rate of depreciation since 2012.

• The decline in home values is especially pronounced in many Sun Belt and West Coast metro areas where rapid growth during the pandemic is now unwinding.

• For potential buyers, 2025 is shaping up as a buyers market in many places, as elevated mortgage rates and growing inventory tilt leverage back toward purchasers.

Declining home affordability has usually been blamed on mortgage rates, but inflated home prices that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic are actually to blame. Todays mortgage rates are historically normal home prices are not.

But that may be changing. After years of historic growth fueled by pandemic-era demand, 2025 is seeing a broad correction in U.S. home values. While national indexes still show modest overall gains, the gains have flattened dramatically and in dozens of metro areas, home prices have actually fallen.

According to a recent analysis by real estate platform Zillow, 105 of the 300 largest U.S. metro areas reported year-over-year declines in home values during the 12 months leading into late 2025. In many of these places once the hottest hot-markets inventory has risen, demand has cooled, and buyers now have significantly more negotiating power.

Where prices are dropping most

Some of the hardest-hit markets include:

• Austin, Texas Once emblematic of booming Sun Belt growth, Austin has seen home values slide by several percentage points.

• Tampa, Florida Among the steepest declines in the country, reflecting a retreat in demand and rising supply of homes.

• Miami, Florida Once red-hot, Miamis housing values have slipped as mortgage rates climb and buyers retreat from previously overheated markets.

• Other notable markets with declines include Dallas, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, Orlando, Florida, and Jacksonville, Florida.

Overall, many of the largest drops are in Sun Belt and West Coast areas places that saw dramatic gains earlier in the decade.

Whats driving the decline

Several broad trends are combining to push home values downward in many markets:

• Higher mortgage rates Rates remain elevated compared with the pandemic lows, which suppresses buyer affordability and weakens demand.

• Rising inventory and easing demand After a period of tight supply, more homes have been listed, giving buyers more choices and shifting leverage away from sellers.

• Market correction after a boom Many of the markets seeing the steepest declines were big winners during the housing boom. As growth settles, price adjustments follow.

• Economic uncertainty Broader concerns about inflation, interest rates, and job stability have made many potential buyers more cautious, reducing the pool of active purchasers.

What it means for buyers, sellers and homeowners

For buyers: 2025 presents opportunities. Buyers who were previously priced out might find more negotiable sellers, especially in Sun Belt or West Coast metros where values are falling.

For sellers: It may be a tougher market some may need to adjust expectations or offer incentives to attract buyers. Homes that remain on the market may sit longer than in recent years.

For homeowners who bought earlier (pre-2023), many still retain significant equity. Even where home values have dropped, most residences remain well above pre-boom valuations meaning that while prices are falling, many homeowners are not underwater.

That said, the shifting dynamics reinforce the need for buyers and sellers to pay close attention to local conditions not just national headlines especially as mortgage rates, supply, and demand continue to evolve.

People express slightly more confidence in the future

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The headline University of Michigan (UM) consumer sentiment index ticked up to 53.3 in early December 2025, from 51.0 in November.

• Inflation expectations among households fell: the expected rate over the next year dropped to 4.1%, down from 4.5% in November, while long-term inflation expectations eased to 3.2%.

• The modest improvement the first in five months was driven by greater optimism about personal finances and future prospects, even as many Americans continued to express concern over prices and labor-market uncertainty.

The University of Michigan preliminary reading for its monthly consumer-sentiment survey shows a moderate rebound after months of decline. The index rose modestly to 53.3 a gain of 2.3 points over Novembers reading.

Although that uptick beat economists forecasts, the broader context remains sobering. The index remains far below the roughly 71.7 level seen in January, and economic optimism is still a long way from pre-pandemic norms.

Survey respondents reported little change in how they view current economic conditions. However, their expectations for the future personal finances and the economy at large improved. That optimism helped lift the overall index.

Whats behind the shift?

• Better outlook on personal finances. According to the survey, perceived financial prospects rose sharply a 13 % increase in those expecting their personal finances to improve over the coming year. This was reflected across different ages, income levels, education backgrounds and political affiliations.

• Slowing inflation expectations. Short-term inflation expectations dropped to 4.1% (from 4.5%), the lowest reading since January 2025. Long-term inflation expectations also softened to 3.2%. For many households, that represents a glimmer of relief that prices may stabilize somewhat.

But headwinds remain strong

• High prices still weigh heavily. Despite some easing in inflation expectations, many consumers still cited high prices as a key concern undercutting their sense of financial security.

• Labor-market worries and economic uncertainty persist. Even though labor-market expectations improved slightly, they remain subdued compared with historical norms, reflecting broader pessimism around job security and economic growth.

• Confidence still far below pre-year levels. At 53.3, the index is far below the level at the start of the year underscoring that many households remain fragile and cautious about spending.

Why these numbers matter

The consumer-sentiment index by the University of Michigan is widely watched because it offers a window into what households are likely to do next spend more, save, or hold back. Consumer spending drives a large portion of U.S. economic activity, so shifts in confidence can ripple out to influence growth, inflation, and even interest-rate decisions by policymakers.

The slight rebound this month may offer modest encouragement: if more people feel confident about their finances and inflation is expected to ease, that could translate into increased spending over the holidays supporting retailers and service industries.

But the underlying mood remains cautious. For many Americans, especially those facing price pressures or employment uncertainty, spending may stay subdued potentially slowing economic momentum heading into 2026.

What consumers should do

• Revisit budgets and spending plans. With inflation still above historic norms, households may benefit from carefully reviewing discretionary spending, noting whats essential and what can wait.

• Shop around for deals especially on big-ticket items. If many consumers remain cautious, retailers might offer discounts or promotions to stimulate demand.

• Keep an eye on inflation and labor-market trends. Continued easing of price expectations could improve household budgets, but if inflation or job insecurity flares up, that may dampen any spending recovery.

• Use confidence data as a reminder to build or maintain emergency savings. With economic uncertainty still present, having a buffer even a modest one can help households weather unexpected costs or job changes.

Reports call for stronger oversight as AI goes deeper into the process

• AI is rapidly reshaping how Americans search for homes, apply for rentals, and secure mortgages.

• But federal regulators warn that these tools could also amplify discrimination, distort rents, and misuse personal data.

• New government reports urge stronger oversight as AI weaves deeper into real estate markets.

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Buying or renting a home has never been more digital. Most consumers now start their search on platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin, using tools that surface listings, estimate home values, and even connect them with lenders. Increasingly, these services rely on artificial intelligence to power chatbots, virtual assistants, personalized recommendations, and automated valuations.

AI can make the process faster and cheaper. It can scan vast amounts of data to pinpoint listings that match a buyers preferences, answer questions in real time, or instantly estimate what a property might sell or rent for. But as these tools become ubiquitous, regulators say the risks are mounting.

Concerns about bias and discrimination

The biggest worry is that AI systems could inadvertently steer buyers or renters toward or away from certain neighborhoodsconduct that may violate fair housing and fair lending laws. If an algorithm fails to catch problematic search terms tied to race, ethnicity, gender, age or other protected traits, it could shape results in ways that reinforce discrimination.

Platforms also may collect sensitive personal data to personalize listings or marketing, raising additional privacy concerns.

Possible dangers in mortgage decisions

AI is increasingly being used behind the scenes in mortgage underwriting, reviewing documents such as employment and payroll records. But if these systems expand into decision-makingsuch as approving or denying a loanthey could obscure why an applicant was rejected or reinforce historical biases in lending.

Impact on rental prices

The same AI tools that help forecast home values are being adopted to set rents. Supporters say this makes prices more responsive to market dynamics, allowing landlords to adjust for vacancy and occupancy in real time. But critics warn that algorithms could push rents higher by basing them on ZIP codes rather than individual building conditions, while also weakening renters ability to negotiate.

Regulators step in

Several federal agencies are monitoring how AI is used across real estate markets, and some have already taken action:

• The Federal Housing Finance Agency has reviewed AI-powered underwriting tools and valuation models used by lenders.

• Other federal agencies have pursued cases against rental platforms accused of misleading or discriminatory advertising.

• Regulators have also taken enforcement actions against companies that screen out tenants using outdated or inaccurate data.

While some oversight has begun to shift toward AI-specific compliance, officials say more guardrails are needed to prevent misuse and protect consumers.

What comes next

The federal government and private research organizations have released new reports detailing how AI is reshaping home buying and rentingand where regulation may need to catch up. As digital tools become standard in real estate, consumer advocates and policymakers are urging stronger protections to ensure that innovation doesnt come at the cost of fairness, privacy, or affordability.