But prices of some items have risen faster that others

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Grocery prices have climbed steadily over the past 12 months, outpacing wage growth in many areas.

• Main drivers include higher transportation costs, extreme weather disrupting harvests, and lingering supply chain pressures.

• Consumers are shifting shopping habits, with more turning to store brands and discount retailers.
  

The Federal Reserve felt inflation was tame enough that it cut its discount interest rate at its meeting this week. But one place inflation is alive and well is at the grocery store, according to government and industry data.

Over the past year, grocery bills across the United States have surged, putting pressure on households already stretched by broader inflation. According to government data, the average price of a grocery basket is up more than 5% compared with this time last year, marking one of the steepest year-over-year increases in over a decade.

Several factors are converging to push prices higher:

1. Transportation and Energy Costs
   Fuel prices spiked earlier in the year, raising the cost of moving goods from farms to shelves. With trucking and shipping companies passing those increases along, grocery distributors have had little choice but to raise retail prices.

2. Climate and Weather Disruptions
   Extreme weather has disrupted harvests around the globe. Droughts in the Midwest reduced grain yields, while flooding in parts of California affected fruit and vegetable production. Global food markets are interlinked, so poor harvests abroad, from rice shortages in Asia to olive oil production declines in Europe, have rippled into U.S. markets.

3. Lingering Supply Chain Strains
   While pandemic-era shortages have eased, certain supply chains remain fragile. Fertilizer prices remain elevated, poultry producers continue battling avian flu outbreaks, and labor shortages in agriculture and food processing have added further pressure.

Datasemblys Grocery Price Index, which tracks thousands of grocery prices in real-time, shows prices have accelerated over the last 12 months.

According to the chart above, the price of candy and gum has risen the most, gaining 10.1% over the last 12 months. On the other end of the spectrum, the price of cereal has remained mostly the same during that period.

Consumer impact

Households are adjusting their buying habits in response. Many are purchasing fewer name-brand products, opting instead for private labels or discount grocers. Shoppers are also increasingly using digital coupons and loyalty programs to offset rising costs.

For lower-income families, these changes mean making difficult trade-offscutting back on fresh produce, meat, or other staples in favor of cheaper, shelf-stable alternatives.

Economists suggest that while price growth may slow in the coming months, groceries are unlikely to return to pre-inflation levels. Instead, consumers should expect sticky prices, where elevated costs become the new normal. Relief may come only gradually as global energy markets stabilize and weather patterns shift.

Increasing food recalls may be eroding confidence

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Only 55% of Americans say they are very or somewhat confident in the safety of the U.S. food supply in 2025 a sharp decline from 62% in 2024 and 70% in 2023.

• Just 11% of respondents now report being very confident in food safety down from 24% in 2022, 17% in 2023, and 14% in 2024.

• Foodborne illness (from bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria) is the top safety concern for consumers, with 50% naming it among their top three. Concerns also highlight that many believe profit is being prioritized over safety, and that not all parts of the food system coordinate adequately to ensure safety.

Food recalls have proliferated in recent months and that may be shaping how consumers view the food supply. The International Food Information Councils (IFIC) 2025 Food & Health Survey reveals a growing erosion of consumer trust in the safety of the U.S. food system, along with evolving patterns in how Americans view dietary guidance.

The recent survey of 3,000 U.S. adults aged 18 to 80 tracked perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes toward food, nutrition, ingredients, and safety.

Confidence in food safety has dropped to historic lows. Only 55% of Americans now say they feel very or somewhat confident in the safety of the U.S. food supply falling from 62% just a year earlier.

The very confident group has shrunk markedly: just 11% in 2025, compared to 24% in 2022. This decline spans nearly all demographics age, income, education, and region.

What worries consumers

• Foodborne illness tops the list of concerns. Half of respondents placed it among their top three food-safety worries.

• Many believe there's an imbalance in priorities: 59% think the system puts profit ahead of safety; 54% believe that not all sectors of the food system coordinate properly to protect consumers.

Amid these safety concerns, the survey also looked closely at how well Americans understand dietary guidance and labeling, and how that is shifting. Key insights include:

• Familiarity with the MyPlate graphic is at a high: 77% of Americans say they have seen it (versus about 61% in its early years).

• Nutrition literacy (measured via a short quiz about dietary guidance) remains variable, with many still unsure of specific recommendations or how to interpret food labels.

Implications

The IFICs findings suggest that as Americans become less sure about the safety of food supply chains, there is also increasing demand for clearer, more trustworthy communication, better coordination of food safety oversight, and labeling practices that foster understanding rather than confusion.

The survey concludes that this may call for:

• Better regulatory oversight and transparency across all levels of the food system

• Enhanced labeling standards to provide clearer, more actionable guidance

• Greater public education around what constitutes safe, healthy food especially when it comes to interpreting labels and understanding risk

The decline is prompting many homeowners to refinance current mortgages

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Mortgage rates drop to 6.26%, boosting affordability.

• Refinancing surges, now nearly 60% of mortgage applications.

• Fed cut expectations, weak job market drive rate declines.

Home affordability improved again this week. Freddie Mac reports its Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.26% this week.

Mortgage rates decreased yet again this week, prompting many homeowners to refinance. In fact, the share of mortgage applications that were refinances reached nearly 60%, the highest since January 2022, said Sam Khater, Freddie Macs chief economist.

In fact, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that mortgage applications increased 29.7% last week from one week earlier. Most of those were applications to refinance existing mortgages.

The Refinance Index increased 58% from the previous week and was 70% higher than the same week one year ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 3% from one week earlier.

Indicative of the weakening job market, and in anticipation of a rate cut from the Federal Reserve, mortgage rates last week dropped to their lowest level since last October, with the 30-year fixed rate declining to 6.39%, said Mike Fratantoni, MBAs chief economist.

Homeowners responded swiftly, with refinance application volume jumping almost 60% compared to the prior week.

Fratantoni said homeowners with larger loans jumped first, as the average loan size on refinances reached its highest level in the 35-year history of our survey.

Latest rates

The 30-year FRM averaged 6.26% as of September 18, 2025, down from last week when it averaged 6.35%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.09%.

The 15-year FRM averaged 5.41%, down from last week when it averaged 5.50%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.15%.

Battery hazards, children's products, fire risks all in today's Recall Roundup

This weeks recalls highlight serious lithium-ion battery hazards (power banks, vaporizers, fans), childrens product safety failures (dressers, baby loungers, helmets, crib mobiles), and fire risks in household products (cotton candy makers, fire pits). Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately and follow manufacturer instructions for refunds, replacements, or safe disposal.

Anker Power Banks

• 

  Hazard: Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

• Units Affected: ~2,100

• Remedy: Replace

• Incidents: 28 overheating/exploding reports; 2 burn injuries.

• Sold At: Best Buy, Target, Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Walmart (JanJul 2024, $40$60).

• Details: Models A1642 (12W), A1647 (15W), A1652 (20W).

• Action: Stop use immediately. Contact Anker Recalls for replacement. Dispose of recalled batteries at a local recycling/hazardous waste facility.

• Recall No.: 25-011

EnHomee 13-Drawer Dressers

• 

  Hazard: Unstable if not anchored, violating STURDY Act. Risk of tip-over, entrapment, serious injury or death to children.

• Units Affected: ~11,200

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, Shein, TikTok, Shopify, Temu (Sep 2023Mar 2025, $75$120).

• Details: Fabric dressers, 55"W x 35"H x 11"D, in rustic brown, white, black, pink.

• Action: Stop use if unanchored. Contact EnHomee for disposal and refund (photo required).

• Recall No.: 25-474

LXDHSTRA Baby Loungers

• 

  Hazard: Multiple safety violationstoo-low sides, too-thick pad, entrapment/fall risk. Includes banned crib bumpers under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act.

• Units Affected: ~360

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Amazon (MayAug 2025, $30$34).

• Action: Stop use immediately. Destroy loungers and bumpers (cut in half) and send photos to lxdhstrarecall@gmail.com for refund.

• Recall No.: 25-473

YooxArmor Multi-Purpose Kids Helmets

• 

  Hazard: Fail to meet federal helmet safety standards; risk of head injury or death.

• Units Affected: ~1,780

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Amazon (Oct 2024Jul 2025, ~$30).

• Details: Pink helmets, unicorn/rainbow/star print, size small, with black straps and red buckle.

• Action: Stop use, cut straps, and send photo to service@yooxarmor.com for refund.

Youbeien Crib Mobiles

• 

  Hazard: Remotes button-battery compartment is unsecured. Ingested batteries can cause burns or death.

• Units Affected: ~3,000

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: None reported.

• Sold At: Amazon (May 2024Apr 2025, ~$20).

• Action: Stop use. Dispose of product (or remote only for partial refund). Send proof photo to gkkbsjtoys@outlook.com.

• Recall No.: 25-471

Arizer Solo II Vaporizers

• 

  Hazard: Lithium-ion battery can overheat, smoke, or eject material. Fire/burn risk.

• Units Affected: ~5,460 (plus ~2,820 in Canada).

• Remedy: Replace

• Incidents: 9 overheating/smoking reports; no injuries.

• Sold At: Specialty shops, arizer.com (Jun 2024Jul 2025, ~$170).

• Action: Stop use. Contact Arizer for replacement Solo II MAX. Dispose at hazardous waste facilities per local rules.

• Recall No.: 25-470

Ambiano Cotton Candy Makers

• 

  Hazard: Heating element may ignite sugar if used without receptacle, fire hazard.

• Units Affected: ~21,690

• Remedy: Refund

• Incidents: 12 reports of sparking/fire; no injuries.

• Sold At: ALDI stores (AugSep 2024, $15).

• Action: Stop use. Return to ALDI or send cut-cord photo for refund.

• Recall No.: 25-469

IcyBreeze Buddy Portable Misting Fans

• 

  Hazard: Overheats while charging, may ignite.

• Units Affected: ~22,600

• Remedy: Refund ($150 Solo Brands credit)

• Incidents: 7 overheating reports; 2 fires; no injuries.

• Sold At: Icybreeze.com, Amazon (Nov 2023Aug 2024, ~$150).

• Action: Stop use. Submit photo of cut power cord at recall site for refund credit. Dispose per hazardous waste rules.

• Recall No.: 25-468

Five Below Tabletop Fire Pits

• 

  Hazard: Alcohol fuel may splash/leak, causing flash fires, flame jetting, burn hazards.

• Units Affected: ~66,000

• Remedy: Refund ($5 or purchase price).

• Incidents: 1 report of flames escaping; no injuries.

• Sold At: Five Below (Apr 2024Aug 2025, $2.50$5).

• Action: Stop use. Return to Five Below or submit proof photo for refund.

• Recall No.: 25-467

Those who use both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes are at the highest risk

• Using e-cigarettes, cigarettes, or both is associated with higher risk for prediabetes and diabetes, with dual use being the riskiest.

• Risk is especially elevated in people who are overweight or obese, of Black, Hispanic or Asian background, or of lower income.

• Regular exercise seems to help reduce risk, even among smokers.

Youve likely heard that smoking is bad for your lungs. However, new research suggests it might also be quietly upping your chances of developing metabolic issues like prediabetes and diabetes.

As e-cigarette use grows, especially among younger people, scientists wanted to know: is vaping really a safer alternative or is it hiding other long-term risks?

In an era when e-cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, this suggests they may carry a hidden peril and may be quietly contributing to long-term health problems like prediabetes and diabetes, researcher Sulakshan Neupane said in a news release.

As the use of e-cigarettes rises rapidly, its vital we understand their broader health impacts. This is not just about the lungs anymore but the entire body and metabolic health.

The study

The researchers used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) a large-scale U.S. survey. They analyzed over 1.2 million responses to compare people who smoke traditional cigarettes, those who vape (i.e. use e-cigarettes), people who do both, and those who do neither. Key outcomes they looked for were diagnoses of prediabetes and diabetes.

They also considered demographic and health-related factors: body mass index (BMI), race/ethnicity, income, and whether respondents had existing health conditions. That allowed them to see not just if risk was higher in general, but how it varied depending on other characteristics.

The results

Heres what the study uncovered:

• Prediabetes risk:

  • Vaping alone was associated with about a 7% higher risk of prediabetes compared to non-users.

  • Smoking traditional cigarettes raised that to about 15%.

  • Using both cigarettes and e-cigarettes conferred a 28% higher riskthe largest increase seen.
    

• Diabetes risk (diagnosed disease, not just risk factors):

  • Smokers had higher odds of having diabetes than non-smokers.

  • Those who both smoked and vaped similarly showed elevated risk (roughly 7-9% more likely) of being diagnosed with diabetes.
    

• Other factors that make a difference:

  • Overweight or obesity amplified the risk: people with higher BMI who smoked or vaped fared worse.

  • Race/ethnicity mattered: Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals using tobacco or vaping had higher rates of prediabetes or diabetes than white respondents in similar situations.

  • Income played a role: lower income categories were tied to greater risk for both conditions.

  • On a positive note, regular exercise appeared to reduce risk for smokersshowing that lifestyle can still make a difference.
    

These findings have important implications for public health efforts to curb smoking and improve diabetes outcomes, Neupane said in the news release."