Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 5,700 lbs. of their 2-pound log Natural Mix due to a contamination of Salmonella. The lot number is N25/12/31 (s) and the UPC number is 854298001054. Lot numbers are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Samples of the product were collected on Jan. 8 by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and tested by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Food and Drug Protection Laboratory. The product tested positive for Salmonella.
On Jan. 27, the firm was notified by the FDA that the product tested positive for Salmonella.
The products were distributed between Jan. 3. 2025 to Jan. 24, 2025. The product is packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in retail stores located in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York State, Tennessee and Rhode Island.
Products affected are:
Product
Size
UPC
Lot Numbers
Natural Mix
2 lb
854298001054
N26/12/31 (lot)
What to do
Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return to place of purchase or destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access. Do not sell or donate the recalled products.
Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Always ensure you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food.
For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 704-873-2072.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
ResumeGenius analyzed data to identify high-paying, fast-growing careers best suited for introverted workers.
Each job pays at least $75,000 annually and offers strong long-term growth and autonomy.
Tech, data, and specialized trade roles dominate the top 10 list for 2026.
If traditional networking, constant meetings, and high-pressure group projects make you want to run in the opposite direction, youre not aloneespecially if you identify as an introvert. And while introverts often bring strong analytical skills, focus, and creativity to the table, the job search can feel stacked against them.
A new ResumeGenius report aims to change that. The High-Paying Jobs for Introverts Report highlights 10 well-compensated career paths where quieter workers can truly excel.
The analysis leans on recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and O*NET Online data to pinpoint roles that dont require heavy social interaction but still offer growth, flexibility, and strong earning potential.
Our list of best-paying jobs for introverts reveals 10 jobs in technical and specialist fields where introverts can let their skills speak for themselves. These roles favor focused problem solving and de-emphasize social interactions, so they're great for workers who rarely find themselves speaking up in meetings or leading projects, Nathan Soto, Career Expert at Resume Genius, said in a news release.
In these 'skills-first' environments, respect is earned through tangible output, and introverts have a long-term competitive advantage."
Methodology
To build the list, ResumeGenius focused on four criteria: autonomy, low social interaction, salary, and job opportunity.
Only roles with:
A minimum median salary of $75,000, and
At least 3% projected job growth over the next decade
were eligible. Researchers then evaluated how well each occupation aligned with introverted work preferences, giving priority to jobs that support independent work, deep focus, and fewer day-to-day interactions. The remaining roles were ranked by median annual wage, resulting in 10 standout careers for introverts heading into 2026.
The Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs for Introverts
Software Developer $131,450 median salary; 15% growth
Actuary $125,770 median salary; 22% growth
Data Scientist $112,590 median salary; 34% growth
Elevator & Escalator Installer/Repairer $106,580 median salary; 5% growth
Financial Analyst $101,910 median salary; 6% growth
UX Designer $95,380 median salary; 7% growth
Electrical Power-Line Installer/Repairer $92,560 median salary; 7% growth
Operations Research Analyst $91,290 median salary; 21% growth
Logistician (listed as operations research analyst in source, but logistician aligns with the data provided) $79,450 median salary; 3% growth
Market Research Analyst $76,950 median salary; 7% growth
From technical roles to specialized trades, the findings make one thing clear: introverts have more high-earning, low-interaction options than everand many of them are growing fast.
A wave of new federal recalls and safety warnings highlights continuing concerns about unsafe baby products, risky household items and defective outdoor gearmany sold online through Amazon, Walmart and other major platforms. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) this week announced more than a dozen recalls and hazard advisories, covering everything from hair dryers and bicycle helmets to infant walkers, bath seats and portable bed rails.
While no deaths have been reported, officials warn that several recalled products pose life-threatening risks, including electrocution, asphyxiation, entrapment, falls, drowning, burns and explosion hazards. Consumers are urged to stop using all affected items immediately.
This Weeks Major Recalls
McLee Creations hair dryer recall for electrocution hazard
Consumers using MyOnlyStyler Root Booster Hair Dryers should stop use and seek a refund.
Hair dryers lack immersion protection, risking serious shock or electrocution
About 740 units sold on Amazon from November 2022 to October 2025
Consumers should stop using and request a refund
McLee Creations LLC is recalling about 740 MyOnlyStyler Root Booster Hair Dryers due to a risk of serious injury or death from electrocution and shock. The affected dryers, sold on Amazon.com between November 2022 and October 2025, lack an immersion protection device required for safety. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
The recalled handheld hair dryers do not include an immersion protection device. This defect poses a significant risk of electrocution or shock if the dryer falls into water while plugged in.
What to do
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled hair dryers and visit the companys website to request a refund.
Parents should stop using affected childrens and youth helmets and apply for a refund.
Helmets fail to meet federal bicycle helmet safety standards
About 24,300 units sold from June 2024 to February 2025 on Amazon and Walmart.com
Consumers should stop using and request a refund
Outdoor Master childrens and youth bicycle helmets, sold by Maysun Products, Inc., are being recalled due to a failure to meet mandatory safety standards. About 24,300 helmets are affected. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
The recalled helmets do not comply with positional stability and coverage requirements, potentially failing to protect users in a crash and increasing the risk of serious head injury or death.
What to do
Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately and visit Outdoor Masters website or contact the company to request a refund.
Parents should stop using Rotinyard convertible high chairs sold on Amazon and request a refund.
High chairs lack required restraint system, posing deadly fall and entrapment hazards
About 130 units sold from March to June 2025 on Amazon
Consumers should stop use and contact Rotinyard for a refund
Rotinyard is recalling convertible high chairs due to violations of safety standards. The chairs lack an attached restraint system and present a risk of deadly falls and entrapment for infants. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
The high chairs were sold without the required restraint system, creating a risk of babies falling. There is also a risk of a childs head becoming trapped between the seat and tray.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the recalled high chairs immediately and contact Rotinyard for a refund.
Ozark Trail camping stove recall for explosion and burn hazard
Campers should stop using the affected Ozark Trail stoves and seek a refund from Walmart.
Stoves can explode or catch fire, leading to burns and fire hazards
About 201,000 units sold at Walmart from March 2023 to October 2025
Refunds are available; 16 injuries reported
China Window Industry Co., Ltd is recalling about 201,000 Ozark Trail Tabletop 1-Burner Butane Camping Stoves due to explosion and fire hazards. The stoves were sold nationwide at Walmart stores and online.
The hazard
The stoves may explode or catch fire, creating a risk of burns and fire. There have been 26 reports of stoves exploding or catching fire, including 16 reports of injuries such as second-degree burns.
What to do
Consumers should stop using these stoves immediately and contact Walmart for a refund.
Sofoliana and Glotika baby lounger recall for infant safety
Parents should stop using Sofoliana and Glotika baby loungers and request a refund due to fall and entrapment risks.
Loungers violate infant sleep product safety standards, posing fall and entrapment hazards
About 200 units sold on Amazon from August to October 2025
Refunds available; no injuries reported
Shenzhen Bosen Trading Co., Ltd., dba Bosen US, is recalling Sofoliana and Glotika baby loungers sold on Amazon due to violations of the mandatory standard for infant sleep products. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
The loungers have sides too low to contain an infant and openings at the foot that are wider than allowed, creating risks of falls and entrapment. They also lack a stand, posing a fall risk if used on elevated surfaces.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the loungers immediately and contact Bosen US for a refund.
Vivohome bed rail recall for adult entrapment hazard
Adults using Vivohome portable bed rails should stop use and request a refund due to asphyxiation risk.
Bed rails violate mandatory safety standards, risking entrapment and asphyxiation
About 400 units sold on Amazon and Wayfair from November 2023 to September 2024
Consumers should stop use and seek a refund
Yiwu Nachen E-Commerce Firm, dba Vivohome, is recalling about 400 adult portable bed rails due to a risk of entrapment and asphyxiation. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
The bed rails do not meet the mandatory standard for adult portable bed rails and lack the required warning labels. Users can become trapped between the rail and the mattress, risking serious injury or death.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the recalled bed rails immediately and contact Vivohome for a refund.
Company contact
Vivohome toll-free at 866-848-6463 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or by email at support@3qmart.com.
CPSC also issued multiple urgent warnings about unsafe products sold through online marketplaces:
DHGate Hair Dryers Lack immersion protection; consumers instructed to destroy and dispose of the dryers. ALEBEE Bicycle Helmets Fail retention and labeling standards; consumers should cut straps and discard. Fyzvexo Infant Walkers Can pass through doorways and lack step-stopping features, posing deadly fall risks. Mchoter LED Lights Easy battery access violates Reeses Law; risk of child battery ingestion. MATTITY-CAT Infant Walkers Similar fall and entrapment hazards as Fyzvexo models. Lucakuins Infant Bath Seats Tip over easily; entrapment risks could lead to drowning.
Prevention Tips
How to Avoid Dangerous Consumer Products
Buy from reputable brands with clear safety certifications.
Check for UL, ASTM, or CPSC compliance labels before purchasing.
Avoid infant sleep products not explicitly approved for sleep.
Register products so manufacturers can contact you about recalls.
Review online recalls weeklyunsafe imports frequently appear on major marketplaces.
Experts say many Black Friday mistakes happen before you start shopping from skipping research to ignoring helpful AI tools.
Not every sale is real: Watch for price hikes disguised as discounts and for sketchy sellers offering deals that seem too good to be true.
Some items just arent worth buying this weekend, including seasonal apparel, off-brand TVs, and the newest iPhone.
Black Friday week is officially here and while the excitement is real, so is the skepticism.
Shoppers know that not every doorbuster is actually a deal, and with prices still elevated across plenty of categories, its harder than ever to tell whats truly worth buying. Thats why going into the season with a strategy matters.
To help sort the real bargains from the fake-outs, ConsumerAffairs interviewed Bobby Ghoshal, CEO of Dupe.com, a platform that uses AI to help shoppers find lower-priced alternatives to todays most sought-after products.
Ghoshal says many of the most common shopping mistakes happen before we even add items to our carts from buying at the wrong time to falling for misleading sale tags. Heres what consumers need to know to stay on budget, spot smart buys, and avoid the most expensive Black Friday pitfalls.
Top three mistakes
While some sales have already kicked off, theres still time to prepare and mistakes to avoid. Ghoshal shared his top three mistakes consumers can make this Black Friday:
Going in blind. Some consumers still are not doing the research they need to in order to make smart purchasing decisions. They see what they want promoted by their favorite influencer, identify a 40% off sale at a trusted retailer, and assume thats the best they can do. In order to have a successful shopping season, we must do our research and go in with a plan. Yes, it seems like a lot of work but there are tools to help.
Not using AI shopping tools. If you want to secure everything on your list for the best prices, AI is the way to go.
Playing loosey goosey with your budget. Make your budget ahead of time and stick with it. Its so easy to get seduced by sitewide sales boasting 50% off. However, if its not in your budget, its not a good buy. Separately, if you budget $50 for a person on your list and end up saving $10, do not apply that to a separate item on your list. Thats a slippery slope that can leave you spending more overall.
How to spot a fake sale
Though everything you see online may look like a great deal, not every sale is what meets the eye. AI makes shopping easier, but it also makes easier, and its imperative for consumers to know how to spot a fake sale versus a real one.
Ghoshal says a fake sale can be defined in two ways:
A trusted brand that increases the price of popular items to make their sitewide sale look a little more appealing. The first can be a little tough to identify if you havent been paying attention to price histories of the items on your shopping list. When its a brand that we know and trust, we assume a 40-50% sitewide sale is a good enough deal. Do your homework beforehand AND price compare using trusted apps and shopping sites.
Sketchy sellers that are trying to pull one over on the consumer. If youre unfamiliar with the seller and the price seems too good to be true, trust your instincts. Look into their review history. If they dont have many reviews and the ones they do have are less than stellar, you know youre getting scammed. If they have just a handful of reviews that are overall positive, but worded pretty similarly, thats also a red flag.
Items to skip this Black Friday
As youre looking at your gift lists, there are some things you may want to skip during Black Friday. Ghoshal recommended a few items not to race for this weekend:
Seasonal apparel. We will never see great deals on jackets and winter gear this early into the season. Retailers arent really incentivized to offer the deepest discounts on winter apparel this early in the season. If you want a deal on jackets, wait until spring when they will be clearing their inventory for florals.
Off-brand TVs. It doesnt make sense to buy an off-brand TV during Black Friday when there are so many solid deals on reputable brands. Sure, you can find great deals on these sets, but they likely wont last through the season. If youre in the market for a TV, spend a few extra bucks on a name brand. Youre still going to get a fantastic deal and be happier in the long run.
The newest iPhone. Apple never has great Black Friday deals, so if youre buying any Apple product, I suggest looking at Best Buy, Target, or Walmart. Either way, they just released this new iPhone. You may see some discounts in the form of gift card bundles with this iPhone, but youre still going to be paying a premium.
Scammers are using AI to clone big brands (Apple, Coach, Nintendo, etc.) with fake sites, emails, and ads during holiday deal season
Email and website are surging, and nearly half of shoppers have seen fake celebrity or influencer endorsements
Stay safe by going directly to official sites, double-checking unfamiliar retailers, using scam-protection tools, strong passwords/2FA, and trusting your gut if something feels off
As holiday shopping starts to ramps up, it brings scammers out of the woodwork looking to take advantage of deal seekers. New research from McAfee Labs shows just how aggressively cybercriminals are copying trusted brands online and how easy it is for rushed shoppers to mistake a fake website, ad, or email for the real thing.
From webpages touting fake Apple products to bogus Coach outlet sites, brand impersonation has become one of the biggest risks of the 2025 holiday season.
The brands scammers copy the most
Here are the luxury brands most likely to be impersonated (in order):
Coach
Dior
Ralph Lauren
Rolex
Gucci
And here are the consumer brands most likely to be impersonated (in order):
Apple
Nintendo
Samsung
Disney
Steam
No surprise that the list includes brands selling handbags, sneakers, watches, hot tech, gaming consoles, streaming, and gift cards. All stuff that shoppers are always searching for in November and December.
Scammers know this, and so they lean hard into AI to create lookalike branded websites, holiday sale graphics, and limited-time deals designed to get you to enter payment info before you think too hard about it.
Coach stands out among luxury brands, with significantly more scam-related URLs than other high-end names.
On the consumer side, Apple leads the pack as shoppers are always on the hunt for deals on a new MacBook or iPhone.
Apple is followed closely by Nintendo, Samsung, Disney, and Steam, all of which are tied to popular devices, games, or digital services.
How big is the problem? The numbers behind the
McAfees latest findings paint a clear picture of how fast impersonation are growing as the holidays approach:
Email are sharply higher these are up about 50% in retail and 85% in tech. The bread-and-butter email you should watch out for include fake shipping notices, password resets, and account alert messages. If you get one, dont trust it and never click a link in the email. Instead, go to the website itself, if the message is real, youll find it there.
Fake websites are on the rise technology brand URL are up nearly 50%, and consumer brand URL are up about 5%. Criminals are constantly publishingvery convincing fake websites, hoping you'll buy without thinking and hand over your credit card or bank information in the process.
Unfamiliar ads are everywhere 91% of consumers say theyre seeing ads from retailers they dont recognize, and 37% may buy from brands they dont recognize. Yes, you read that correctly, over 1 in every 3 shoppers will consider buying from a brand or site theyve never heard of.
AI is reshaping scam tactics 46% of Americans say theyve encountered fake celebrity or influencer endorsements. This is when scammers use AI to pair an actor, musician, or athlete with a fake limited-time deal or bogus product page.
How to protect yourself while you shop
McAfees research serves as a warning to shoppers and it also points toward simple ways to stay safer without giving up the savings:
Go to the source, not the link. If you get a text, email, or social ad about a deal, resist the urge to click on it. Instead, always open your browser or the brands official app and search for the deal there.
Be extra cautious with unfamiliar retailers. An amazing price from a website youve never heard of deserves an extra look. Be sure to look up independent reviews, check how long the sites been around, and look for a phone number or physical address.
Watch for classic red flags. Site is in a different language, pressure to act immediately, demands for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, or requests for sensitive information are all major warning signs.
Turn on scam protection tools. Many security programs now scan links and URLs in real time and can warn you before you click on something thats suspicious. Serves as good peace of mind if you tend to freely click around the internet, especially if you regularly click on ads that look interesting to you.
Strengthen your accounts. Always use strong, unique passwords, and turn on two-factor authentication where you can. Also, keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements so you can catch suspicious charges quickly.
Trust your gut. Id also add the importance of following your gut instinct. If the site just feels off, maybe its the logo, maybe its the wording, maybe its the photos, theres zeroshame in closing the browser tab. No deal is worth the risk if something about the transaction just doesnt feel right.
Over 28 illegal e-cigarette websites currently operate on Shopify's platform, with another 200 selling illegal tobacco products
Federal law requires FDA approval for all e-cigarettes, and sales to anyone under 21 are prohibited
A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general is pressuring the e-commerce giant to remove merchants violating tobacco laws
If you're a parent worried about your teenager's access to vaping products, this news should grab your attention. The popular e-commerce platform Shopify is hosting hundreds of websites that are illegally selling e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, potentially making these addictive products easily accessible to minors.
What's happening right now
On Monday, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson led a coalition of 25 attorneys general in sending a letter to Shopify, demanding the company take stronger action against merchants using its platform to sell illegal tobacco products.
The numbers are alarming: More than 28 illegal e-cigarette websites are currently hosted on Shopify's platform, and another 200 websites are selling illegal tobacco products through the service.
"If states and the federal government create laws to protect our residents, companies can't sidestep those for their own profit," Jackson stated in the announcement.
The legal landscape you need to know
Federal law is clear about e-cigarette sales. Every new tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, must receive FDA authorization before it can be marketed and sold in the United States.
E-cigarettes without FDA approval cannot be shipped via interstate commerce, and all e-cigarette sales to anyone under 21 are prohibited nationwide.
Individual states have added their own protections. In North Carolina, for example, manufacturers must get products certified by the Department of Revenue, internet sellers must verify buyers' ages, and it's illegal to sell or give e-cigarettes to anyone under 18.
Your action plan to protect your family
Monitor your teen's online shopping activity, especially on platforms like Shopify that host multiple merchants
Check your credit card and bank statements for unfamiliar charges from e-cigarette or vaping companies
Talk to your children about the health risks of e-cigarettes, which are highly addictive and pose serious health risks to young people
Report suspected illegal e-cigarette sales to your state attorney general's office
If you discover your child has purchased vaping products online, contact the merchant and your state's consumer protection agency
Consider using parental controls on devices and internet connections to block access to vaping-related websites
Why this matters beyond one platform
While this specific action targets Shopify, the problem extends across the e-commerce landscape. Online merchants continue to find ways around age verification requirements and FDA regulations.
The attorneys general involved represent states from coast to coast, including California, New York, Illinois, and Washington, showing this is a nationwide concern.
This isn't the first time officials have taken action against companies facilitating illegal e-cigarette sales. North Carolina previously won a $47.8 million judgment against Juul for advertising and selling its products to children.
The bottom line: Shopify and other e-commerce platforms need to do more to prevent illegal tobacco sales, but you can't wait for corporate action to protect your family. Stay vigilant about your teen's online activity, know the warning signs of vaping, and don't hesitate to report suspicious merchants to authorities. Your child's health is worth the extra effort.
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