The product may be tainted by a radioactive isotope

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Nearly 85,000 bags of shrimp recalled nationwide due to potential cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination.

• Products sold under Kroger and AquaStar brands at multiple grocery chains across 30+ states.

• No illnesses reported so far, but long-term exposure to Cs-137 may increase cancer risk.

Seattle-based AquaStar Corp. has recalled three varieties of frozen shrimp products after federal regulators raised concerns about possible contamination with cesium-137 (Cs-137), a radioactive isotope. The recall affects approximately 85,000 bags of shrimp sold under the Kroger and AquaStar labels across major U.S. grocery chains.

The following products are included in the recall:

• Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp (2 lbs.) about 49,920 bags

• Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp (2 lbs.) about 18,000 bags

• AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers (1.25 lbs.) about 17,264 bags

Each recalled product carries specific UPC and lot codes printed on its packaging. Consumers can verify whether their purchase is affected by checking the detailed code list provided by AquaStar and the FDA.

Health concerns

Cs-137 is a man-made radioactive substance. While trace levels can exist in the environment, higher levels may pose risks if consumed repeatedly over time. According to health officials, the primary concern is DNA damage that may increase the risk of cancer following long-term, low-dose exposure.

So far, no illnesses or adverse events have been reported in connection with the recalled shrimp.

The shrimp was distributed to Kroger-owned chains and partner supermarkets across dozens of states, including Alaska, California, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Washington, and many more. Stores impacted include Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Frys, King Soopers, Marianos, Ralphs, Smiths, and QFC, among others.

Affected bags were available for purchase between June 12, 2025, and September 17, 2025.

FDA investigation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating shipments from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods), an Indonesian seafood processor. Customs and Border Protection flagged shipments for Cs-137 earlier this year, prompting FDA to recommend recalls even for lots that had not tested positive.

At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. commerce, the agency said.

Consumers are urged not to eat the shrimp. Instead, they should dispose of it safely or return it to the store for a full refund.

To address questions, AquaStar has set up a consumer hotline at 1-800-331-3440 (MondayFriday, 8 a.m.5 p.m. PDT).

The medical establishment criticizes the warning as unfounded

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The White House, led by President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has asserted a potential link between use of Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy and higher risks of autism in children.

• Officials are also promoting folinic acid (a form of vitamin B9) as a possible treatment for some autism symptoms and have floated changes to Tylenols safety labeling.

• The announcement has drawn swift pushback from medical experts and public health groups, citing that the scientific evidence is limited, mixed, and does not establish a causal relationship.

The Trump administration has warned that taking Tylenol during pregnancy might be associated with an elevated risk of autism in children a claim that medical experts were quick to assertis not substantiated by current science.

Speaking from the White House, President Trump urged pregnant women to avoid using Tylenol, whose active ingredient is acetaminophen, saying, Dont take it. He added that the maternal use of the common painreliever could represent one of the environmental exposures driving a rise in autism diagnoses.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. similarly backed the claim, tying it to research he says HHS has reviewed. In addition, the administration floated label changes for Tylenol and proposed folinic acid, a derivative of folate, as a possible intervention for certain autism symptoms.

What the science says

• Several observational studies have reported associations between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes, including autism. However, association is not the same thing as causation, and many of these studies are limited by confounding variables, scientists say.

• A large Swedish study following about 2.5 million children, which also did withinfamily (sibling) comparisons, found that when controlling for shared genetics and other environmental factors, the apparent association disappears.

• Public health organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for MaternalFetal Medicine have reaffirmed that the evidence does not support changing current guidance, which holds that acetaminophen remains one of the safer options for treating pain or fever in pregnancy when used properly.

Reactions and implications

Critics argue that the administrations messaging could lead to confusion or unintended harm, warning that pregnant women may avoid treating fevers or severe pain out of fear of autism.

But the Trump administration pushed back against the criticism, suggesting pregnant women should err on the side of caution.

There is mounting evidence finding a connection between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism and thats why the Administration is courageously issuing this new health guidance, said White House News Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Additionally, the Trump Administration is approving a new treatment option that has been found to improve some autism symptoms.

Meanwhile, Tylenols manufacturer, Kenvue, has defended the drugs safety profile, saying it continues to stand by previous research that found no credible causal link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism.

Findings from a recent study shed light on personal experiences with the popular weight loss drugs

• The side effects from popular weight loss medications can be tougher than expected. Findings from a recent study found that things like nausea, fatigue, and even mood swings caught many users off guard.

• Cost and support matter many survey respondents stopped the meds early because of price or not having enough guidance.

• Having a doctors care makes a big difference customized support helps manage side effects and keeps users on track.

Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have gained popularity recently. While many studies have focused on the side effects, risks, and benefits of these drugs, its not as common to hear first-hand accounts from those who have taken them.

Now, Levity has released the findings from a recent study that specifically explored what GLP-1 users wish they knew before they started the drug. For the study, the research team surveyed 250 GLP-1 users to uncover their emotional, physical, and lifestyle challenges through firsthand accounts.

Zoe Lees, PhD, a medical writer at Levity, spoke with ConsumerAffairs about the ins and outs of the study findings, including everything consumers need to know about the popular weight loss drugs.

GLP-1s are not a quick fix, Dr. Lees said. They are powerful, medically established treatments that require careful planning and consideration.

How patients will feel during their treatment is overlooked too often. Mood swings, brain fog, and anxiety are real challenges for many patients that can undermine consistency. To improve outcomes, both the health care system and providers must take a more individualized approach.

What GLP-1 users wish they knew

Dr. Lees shared the top things GLP-1 users wish they knew before starting the weight loss drugs:

• The severity and prevalence of the side effects from the medication. Almost one in three underestimated how debilitating symptoms such as nausea, constipation, lethargy, and even psychiatric side effects such as confusion, mood swings, or anxiety could be, Dr. Lees told ConsumerAffairs. Younger patients, particularly Gen Z and millennials, were most likely to experience these symptoms and later regretted dismissing them.

• The cost. Cost is another major factor. One in two users stopped GLP-1 treatment within four months, with 31% citing affordability as the reason.

• The importance of a support system. Another important finding is the importance of support. Twenty-nine percent of users felt under-supported during their first month, which contributed to the high early discontinuation rate.

• Having prescriber-led care. Many users realized that customized, prescriber-led care is not only helpful but necessary. Eighty-one percent indicated that customized medical advice would have minimized side effects, improved safety, accelerated results, and helped them stay consistent with treatment.

Breaking down the side effects

While side effects from weight loss drugs may be inevitable, Dr. Lees says that there are ways to combat them.

Many of the typical side effects of GLP-1 medications (such as nausea, constipation, and brain fog) can often be managed with small, consistent habits, she said. To reduce nausea, try eating slowly, avoiding fatty or greasy foods, and starting the day with bland protein-rich options such as eggs or Greek yogurt. Gradually increase the amount of fiber you eat, drink plenty of water, and stay active to help prevent constipation. Even a short daily walk can do wonders.

For brain fog and mood swings, drinking water, starting the day with protein, and keeping a consistent sleep schedule can be very helpful. These simple adjustments can significantly improve comfort and overall treatment experience."

The importance of getting a prescription

Levitys survey found that one in seven GLP-1 users were using the drug without a prescription. Millennials were the biggest victims of this, with nearly 20% of the age group reporting taking GLP-1s without a prescription.

Without professional guidance, users risk improper dosing, missing important lab work, or stopping treatment early due to unmanaged side effects, Dr. Lees said.

More alarmingly, unsupervised use can have long-term consequences, particularly for those with existing conditions that require careful management. It also means missing out on the structured lifestyle support that can make all the difference for achieving the best treatment outcomes.

Finding success with GLP-1s

Despite the side effects, Dr. Lees says that success with GLP-1s is possible. To achieve success, she recommends structure, preparation, and support.

The best first step is working with a licensed professional who can provide individualized dosing and ongoing follow-up care, she said.

Early support is especially critical, as 29% of users indicated nutrition advice would have had the greatest impact early in their GLP-1 experience, and 24% reported the same about appetite control and eating aversions. Monitoring both physical and emotional symptoms allows for early intervention and tailored adjustments.

Staying consistent with GLP-1 medications requires more than motivation. It takes a responsive care model that incorporates education, accountability, and encouragement.

New research suggests that adding green tea and aquatic plants to a Mediterranean diet could help your brain stay younger longer

• In an 18-month randomized trial, people who followed a green-Mediterranean diet saw less of a protein signature associated with aging in the brain than those on a standard healthy diet.

• The green-Mediterranean diet in this study included green tea and the aquatic plant Mankai, in addition to typical Mediterranean diet components.

• The study tracked changes in blood proteins tied to brain aging, suggesting diet-linked biological changes may happen before cognitive symptoms appear.

As we get older, our brains dont always feel as sharp as they used to, and researchers are exploring ways diet might slow or even reverse aspects of that process.

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University, and colleagues suggest that a version of the Mediterranean diet with extra green additions specifically green tea and Mankai (an aquatic plant) might help slow brain aging.

The study

The study is part of something called the DIRECT-PLUS trial. Roughly 300 participants were followed for 18 months and randomly assigned to one of three diet groups:

1. A standard healthy diet

2. A traditional calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet (lots of vegetables, less red meat, more fish and poultry, low in simple carbs)

3. The green-Mediterranean diet, which is like the Mediterranean diet but with added green tea and Mankai.
   

The researchers collected blood samples and measured levels of certain proteins that are believed to correlate with brain aging that is, how old your brain seems compared to your actual age.

Higher levels of some of these proteins are associated with accelerated brain aging. The idea was to see whether dietary changes could shift those protein levels.

What did they find?

Over the 18 months, people in the green-Mediterranean group showed reductions in certain proteins in their blood that are thought to reflect faster brain aging. In contrast, those reductions were not as pronounced in the other diet groups.

In short, adding green tea and Mankai appeared to help slow down markers of brain aging more than a standard healthy or even traditional Mediterranean diet.

The key point: these changes were biological they happened in protein markers in the blood before any obvious cognitive decline.This suggests that the green-Mediterranean diet could influence early, underlying processes of brain aging rather than just reacting to symptoms once they appear.

Studying the circulating proteins in blood allows us to observe, in a real-life setting, how the brains aging processes are influenced by lifestyle and dietary changes, researcher Anat Meir, said in a news release.

This approach gives us a dynamic window into brain health, helping to reveal biological changes long before symptoms may appear. By mapping these protein signatures, we gain powerful new insight into how interventions, such as diet, may help preserve cognitive function as we age.

How to try a green-Mediterranean approach

You dont need to overhaul your life overnight to start adopting elements of this eating pattern. Here are a few approachable ways to begin:

• Build a Mediterranean base. Focus on vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish or chicken. Use olive oil as your main fat.

• Go greener. Add a couple of cups of unsweetened green tea each day. Its calorie-free and rich in plant compounds studied for their antioxidant benefits.

• Experiment with greens like Mankai. While Mankai (also known as duckweed) isnt widely available everywhere, some markets and supplements carry it. If you cant find it, think about incorporating other nutrient-dense greens like spinach, kale, or watercress as a practical stand-in.

• Keep it sustainable. The study participants followed their diets for 18 months so small, steady changes are more realistic than quick fixes.

Alfa Romeo, BMW, GM, Jeep, others are eating their dust

Auto Safety Recall Derby

Week of September 22, 2025

This weeks Derby is dominated by two giants of the auto world: Toyota and Hyundai. Toyota storms ahead with nearly 600,000 vehicles recalled for electrical system issues, while Hyundai counters with more than 568,000 Palisades recalled for faulty seat belt buckles. BMW, Jeep, GM, and Alfa Romeo also make appearances, though their numbers pale in comparison.

Toyota: The Front-Runner

• NHTSA ID: 25V595000

• Units Affected: 591,377

• Component: Electrical System

• Models: Venza, RAV4/Prime/PHEV, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, Camry, Tacoma, Grand Highlander, 4Runner, Lexus LS, RX, TX, Crown Signia (20232025 range)

• Issue: Faulty instrument panel software may fail to display speed, brake, or tire pressure warnings.

• Remedy: Dealers will update or replace instrument panel software. Owner notifications begin October 27, 2025.

Hyundai: Close on Toyotas Bumper

• Recall 1 Seat Belts

  • Units Affected: 568,580

  • Models: 20202025 Palisade

  • Issue: Seat belt buckles may fail to latch.

  • Remedy: Buckle inspections and replacements free of charge. Notifications begin November 10, 2025.

• Recall 2 Electrical System

  • NHTSA ID: 25V606000

  • Units Affected: 31,042

  • Models: 20232025 Ioniq 6

  • Issue: Charging port door panel may detach.

  • Remedy: Adhesive applied to charging port door. Notifications also November 10, 2025.

Jeep: Middle of the Pack

• NHTSA ID: 25V593000

• Units Affected: 163,735

• Models: 20222025 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer

• Issue: Improperly installed door trim may detach.

• Remedy: Inspection and replacement if needed. Notifications begin October 31, 2025.

Alfa Romeo: Fuel System Trouble

• NHTSA ID: 25V586000

• Units Affected: 53,849

• Models: 20172019 Giulia, 20182019 Stelvio

• Issue: Fuel pump failure can cause loss of power.

• Remedy: Under development. Interim notifications begin October 29, 2025.

BMW: A Small but Serious Recall

• NHTSA ID: 25V616000

• Units Affected: 1,571

• Models: 20252026 X1, X2, MINI Cooper/Convertible, Countryman S ALL4, Countryman SE ALL4

• Issue: Damaged torsion bar in front seat belt retractors.

• Remedy: Dealers will replace retractors. Notifications begin November 7, 2025.

GM: Electric Truck Glitch

• NHTSA ID: 25V594000

• Units Affected: 1,191

• Models: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV

• Issue: ESC malfunction warning light may not display properly, violating federal safety standards.

• Remedy: OTA or dealer software update. Notifications begin October 27, 2025.

Derby Standings (by Units Recalled)

1. Toyota 591,377

2. Hyundai 568,580 (+31,042)

3. Jeep 163,735

4. Alfa Romeo 53,849

5. BMW 1,571

6. GM 1,191

Verdict: Toyota surges into first place with a massive recall, narrowly outpacing Hyundai, which fields a double-recall week. Jeep and Alfa Romeo keep things interesting in the middle tier, while BMW and GM bring up the rear with relatively small but important recalls. Remember, this list covers only major recalls involving large numbers of vehicles. It does not include commercial vehicles, RVs ormotorcycles.

Has your car been recalled? Find out here.