Consumer News: Bottled sparkling water sold at Trader Joe’s recalled because the glass may break

But that was before the surge in gas prices, triggered by the Iran war

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Consumer prices rose 0.3% in February, slightly faster than Januarys 0.2% increase, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Shelter costs remained the biggest driver of monthly inflation, while food and energy prices also climbed.

• Annual inflation held steady at 2.4%, with food prices rising faster than the overall rate over the past year.

U.S. consumer prices ticked up in February as higher housing, food, and energy costs pushed inflation slightly higher for the month, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis in February, following a 0.2% increase in January. On an annual basis, consumer prices were 2.4% higher than a year earlier, the same rate reported for the 12 months ending in January.

But keep in mind, these numbers dont include any costs after the beginning of the Iran war. The March numbers could be significantly higher.

The cost of shelter

Housing costs continued to play the biggest role in the monthly increase. The shelter index rose 0.2% in February, making it the largest contributor to the overall rise in prices.

Food prices also moved higher during the month. The food index increased 0.4%, with prices for groceries (food at home) rising 0.4%, and restaurant prices (food away from home) climbing 0.3%.

Energy costs increased as well, with the energy index rising 0.6% in February.

Excluding the often-volatile food and energy categories, so-called core inflation rose 0.2% in February. Several categories recorded price increases, including medical care, apparel, household furnishings and operations, airline fares, and education.

Where prices went down

Some categories saw declines. Prices for communication services, used cars and trucks, motor vehicle insurance, and personal care were among the notable indexes that fell during the month.

Over the past year, price changes varied widely across categories. While overall inflation was 2.4%, the food index rose 3.1% over the last 12 months, outpacing the overall rate. The energy index increased 0.5% year over year, while the core index (excluding food and energy) rose 2.5%.

The data suggest inflation remains relatively stable compared with recent months, though essential household costs such as food and housing continue to contribute significantly to consumer expenses.

The shellfish may be tainted with Norovirus

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• FDA warns restaurants and retailers in nine states not to serve or sell certain Manila clams harvested in Washington state due to possible norovirus contamination.

• Consumers in Washington are urged not to eat specific raw oysters harvested from the same area during the same time period.

• The shellfish are linked to a norovirus-like illness outbreak, according to federal and Washington state health officials.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning restaurants, retailers, and consumers about potentially contaminated shellfish harvested in Washington state that may be linked to a norovirus outbreak.

The advisory covers certain raw oysters harvested by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and Manila clams harvested by the Lummi Indian Business Council, both taken from the Drayton Harbor harvest area in Washington between February13 and March 3, 2026.

According to the FDA, the products may be contaminated with norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes gastrointestinal illness.

The oysters were distributed within Washington state, while the Manila clams were sent to restaurants and food retailers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Washington, and may have reached additional states.

Recall tied to illness outbreak

The alert follows a March 4 notice from the Washington Department of Health, which informed federal officials about a recall of certain shellstock raw, live molluscan shellfish such as oysters and clams after reports of a norovirus-like illness associated with raw oyster consumption.

The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to sell or serve the affected shellfish and to dispose of them or coordinate destruction with their distributors.

Consumers are also being urged not to eat the oysters or clams if they may have purchased them.

Symptoms can appear quickly

Norovirus is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness. Infection typically develops 12 to 48 hours after exposure.

Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and body aches.

Most people recover within one to three days, but the illness can lead to dehydration, particularly in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

What restaurants should do

The FDA recommends that restaurants and food retailers:

• Stop serving or selling the recalled oysters and clams.

• Dispose of the products or contact distributors to arrange for destruction.

• Thoroughly clean and sanitize surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with the shellfish.

• Wash hands with soap and warm water after handling potentially contaminated products.

Food businesses that sold the shellfish in bulk should also sanitize containers used to store the products to prevent cross-contamination.

What consumers should do

Consumers who may have eaten the affected shellfish and develop symptoms of illness should contact a health care provider and report their symptoms to their local health department.

The FDA said it is continuing to monitor the investigation and will provide updates as more information becomes available about the distribution of the shellfish.

The shellfish may be tainted with Norovirus

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• FDA warns restaurants and retailers in nine states not to serve or sell certain Manila clams harvested in Washington state due to possible norovirus contamination.

• Consumers in Washington are urged not to eat specific raw oysters harvested from the same area during the same time period.

• The shellfish are linked to a norovirus-like illness outbreak, according to federal and Washington state health officials.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning restaurants, retailers and consumers about potentially contaminated shellfish harvested in Washington state that may be linked to a norovirus outbreak.

The advisory covers certain raw oysters harvested by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and Manila clams harvested by the Lummi Indian Business Council, both taken from the Drayton Harbor harvest area in Washington between Feb. 13 and March 3, 2026.

According to the FDA, the products may be contaminated with norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes gastrointestinal illness.

The oysters were distributed within Washington state, while the Manila clams were sent to restaurants and food retailers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington, and may have reached additional states.

Recall tied to illness outbreak

The alert follows a March 4 notice from the Washington Department of Health, which informed federal officials about a recall of certain shellstock raw, live molluscan shellfish such as oysters and clams after reports of a norovirus-like illness associated with raw oyster consumption.

The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to sell or serve the affected shellfish and to dispose of them or coordinate destruction with their distributors.

Consumers are also being urged not to eat the oysters or clams if they may have purchased them.

Symptoms can appear quickly

Norovirus is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness. Infection typically develops 12 to 48 hours after exposure.

Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

Other symptoms may include fever, headache and body aches.

Most people recover within one to three days, but the illness can lead to dehydration, particularly in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

What restaurants should do

The FDA recommends that restaurants and food retailers:

• Stop serving or selling the recalled oysters and clams.

• Dispose of the products or contact distributors to arrange for destruction.

• Thoroughly clean and sanitize surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with the shellfish.

• Wash hands with soap and warm water after handling potentially contaminated products.

Food businesses that sold the shellfish in bulk should also sanitize containers used to store the products to prevent cross-contamination.

What consumers should do

Consumers who may have eaten the affected shellfish and develop symptoms of illness should contact a healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local health department.

The FDA said it is continuing to monitor the investigation and will provide updates as more information becomes available about the distribution of the shellfish.

The Chocolate Fudge & Caramel Empanada is among the first of the new items

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Taco Bell is rolling out several new menu items this month, including a new dessert and additional limited-time foods tied to its annual Live Ms Live event.

• The chain is expanding its value offerings, with items priced at $3 or less as part of its revamped Luxe Value Menu.

• More than 20 menu innovations are planned for 2026, with some debuting in March and others expected later this year.

Taco Bell is making a fresh push to lure diners this month, unveiling new menu items and limited-time promotions as part of a broader lineup of changes planned for 2026.

The fast-food chain kicked off the updates in early March with the nationwide debut of Chocolate Fudge & Caramel Empanadas, a two-piece dessert featuring one empanada filled with salted caramel and another with chocolate fudge. The items are sold together for about $2.99 and are expected to join Taco Bells value menu later in the month as a limited-time offering.

The new dessert is one of the first reveals tied to Taco Bells annual Live Ms Live event, where the company showcases upcoming food innovations and brand initiatives. This years event is being streamed publicly for the first time, highlighting what the company says will be more than 20 new menu items and collaborations arriving throughout 2026.

Beyond desserts

In addition to desserts, Taco Bell is experimenting with several new savory items expected to arrive later this month. Among those teased are Crispy Chicken Crunchwrap Sliders and Steak & Guac Nacho Fries, along with a new drink flavor in the Refresca lineup called Pink Passionfruit Refresca Freeze.

The changes come as Taco Bell continues to emphasize affordability. Earlier this year, the company launched its Luxe Value Menu, featuring 10 items priced at $3 or less. New items on that menu include the Mini Taco Salad, Avocado Ranch Chicken Stacker, Beefy Potato Loaded Griller, Chips & Nacho Supreme Dip, and Salted Caramel Churros, alongside several returning favorites.

Executives say the revamped value menu is meant to give customers more inexpensive add-ons while keeping prices competitive in a tight fast-food market.

With additional menu announcements expected throughout the year, Taco Bells latest rollout suggests the chain is doubling down on a strategy that mixes limited-time novelty items with low-cost staples to keep fans coming back.

The bankruptcy mostly involves the brick-and-mortar part of the business

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Eddie Bauer plans to close 174 brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S. and Canada after failing to find a buyer during bankruptcy proceedings.

• The closures follow a canceled auction for the companys store leases and come amid mounting debt and declining retail sales.

• While physical locations will shut down, the Eddie Bauer brand is expected to continue online and through wholesale partnerships.

Outdoor apparel retailer Eddie Bauer is preparing to close 174 brick-and-mortar stores across North America after its store operator failed to secure a buyer during bankruptcy proceedings, according to court filings and company statements.

The closures come after a planned auction of the companys retail leases was canceled due to a lack of qualified bids, leaving liquidation as the most likely path forward for the retailers store operations.

The move affects approximately 150 stores in the United States and about two dozen in Canada. Closing sales are already underway in many locations, and most stores are expected to shut their doors by the end of April as the company winds down its physical retail business.

Filed for bankruptcy earlier this year

Eddie Bauers store operator filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year, citing declining sales, rising costs, and ongoing challenges facing traditional retail. The bankruptcy marks the third such filing for the brand in the past two decades.

The entity that operates Eddie Bauers retail locations licenses the brand from Authentic Brands Group, which owns the companys intellectual property. Because of that structure, the bankruptcy applies primarily to the brick-and-mortar retail business rather than the brand itself.

As a result, Eddie Bauer products are expected to remain available online and through wholesale distribution channels even after the stores close. The brands e-commerce and licensing operations are being transitioned to a new partner, Outdoor 5.

106 years old

Founded in Seattle in 1920, Eddie Bauer built a reputation for outdoor gear and apparel, including down jackets and equipment used by military and expedition teams. At its peak in the early 2000s, the company operated nearly 600 stores.

Retail analysts say the latest closures reflect broader pressures facing mall-based retailers, including shifts toward online shopping, high lease costs, and competition from newer outdoor apparel brands.

Customers with gift cards or loyalty points are being encouraged to redeem them soon as the company continues its liquidation process and prepares to exit physical retail.

The company has not announced plans to reopen stores under new ownership, though the Eddie Bauer brand itself is expected to continue operating through digital and licensing channels.