American consumers like their candy colorful, they argue

• Food giants like Kraft Heinz and PepsiCo pledge to eliminate synthetic dyes by 2027 under Health Secretary RFK Jr.s voluntary campaign.

• But the candy industry, led by M&Ms maker Mars, resists, citing costs, taste challenges, and lack of natural alternatives.

• States like Texas and West Virginia plan independent bans and warnings, potentially forcing nationwide change.

Less than three months after declaring war on synthetic food dyes, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has scored significant wins in reshaping Americas food landscape. Major manufacturersincluding Kraft Heinz, General Mills, Nestl, ConAgra, and PepsiCohave agreed to remove petroleum-based dyes from popular items like Jell-O snacks, Kool-Aid drinks, and Lucky Charms cereals by the end of 2027.

The pledges come amid growing concern over links between synthetic dyes and behavioral issues in children, highlighted by studies like Californias 2021 review concluding that artificial dyes can trigger neurobehavioral problems in some kids.

Yet a vibrant and powerful opponent remains: the candy industry.

M&Ms resist change

Despite Kennedys momentum, candy companies are digging in. Mars, the privately held maker of M&Ms and Skittles, insists its products are safe and says sweeping changes would be costly and technically difficult. Mars previously attempted to drop artificial colors in 2016 but reversed course after finding American consumers still craved brightly colored candieseven as European customers shifted toward natural hues.

Some candy makers say that the dyes not only add color, but also taste. Without them, candy can end up tasting like raw vegetables or worse, they say.The National Confectioners Association has signaled that candy companies wont reformulate without federal mandates.

State laws may force the issue

Kennedys voluntary approach has critics, but its producing progress where federal regulation might stall. The FDA is moving to revoke certain dye approvals and has cleared new natural colors for use, avoiding lengthy court battles but that's a slow process prone to court intervention.

Meanwhile, states are stepping in. Texas will require warning labels on foods containing dyes starting in 2027, and West Virginia plans broader bans in 2028. Consumer advocates predict that industry holdouts, including candy makers, will eventually bend under state-by-state pressure.

We provide a link to a non-profit serving the Texas Hill Country

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Support flood relief in Texas through the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a verified 501(c)(3) organization funding trusted nonprofits, first responders, and local governments involved in relief efforts.

• Be cautious of scam charities that use high-pressure tactics, vague descriptions, or untraceable payment methodsalways confirm a charitys legitimacy before donating.

• If donating via GoFundMe, search its official Texas flooding hub for verified fundraisers, and ensure funds are securely directed to confirmed beneficiaries.

The human tragedy that unfolded in the Texas Hill Country over the weekend has captured the nations attention and heart, with millions of Americans opening their checkbooks to help.

But unfortunately, as in the aftermath of every natural disaster, scammers impersonate legitimate relief organizations in order to profit from Americans compassion and generosity. Americans who want to help should make sure that the money they send is actually going to the people who need it.

Kerr County, Texas Sheriff Larry Leitha announced that the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a 501(c)(3) charity serving the Texas Hill Country, has established this relief fund.

Grants from the Fund will support nonprofit organizations, first responder agencies, and local governments actively involved in response, relief, and recovery efforts, the organization said on its website.

While we are unable to award grants directly to individuals or families - or to fund repairs to private property or replace personal belongings - we are committed to channeling resources to the trusted organizations working tirelessly to help our neighbors in need.

GoFundMe takes extra precautions

GoFundMe pages are being set up to aid individuals and families, but care must be taken to make sure the appeal is legitimate. GoFundMe said it has launched a hub where donors can search for established Texas flooding fundraisers verified by the platform. GoFundMe said its Trust & Safety team is updating the hub as additional fundraisers are established.

Affording to the platform, funds will be held for the named recipient(s) of the campaign. If questions arise, GoFundMe said its payment processors will hold the funds until the beneficiary is confirmed.

Here are six red flags that indicate that a charity is being run by scammers:

1. High-Pressure Tactics

• Scammers may insist you donate immediately, using emotional appeals or urgent language like act now or victims are dying.

• Legitimate charities will give you time to decide.

2. Lack of Transparency

• Vague or generic descriptions of how donations are used (e.g., helping victims) without specifying programs or activities.

• No clear contact information, website, or physical address.

3. Unfamiliar or Imitation Names

• Scam charities often use names that sound like well-known organizations (e.g., Red Cross Relief Fund instead of American Red Cross).

• Check for subtle misspellings or rearranged words.

4. No Registration or EIN

• Real charities are registered with the IRS and have an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
  

• In the U.S., you can verify them through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
  

5. Payment by Cash, Gift Card, or Wire Transfer

• Scammers may request payment through untraceable methods like Venmo, prepaid gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
  

• Legitimate charities typically accept checks or credit cards.
  

6. Unsolicited Contact

• Be cautious if contacted out of the blue by phone, text, email, or social media.
  

• Never click on links or download attachments from unknown senders claiming to be a charity.

However, many consumers may have shifted their purchase behavior to avoid paying them

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Tariffs in June 2025 significantly raised consumer prices, especially in categories like automobiles, apparel, electronics, and household goods, with car prices alone increasing by up to $10,000.

• Consumer behavior shifted in response to higher costs, with auto sales declining sharply and shoppers facing steep fees on imported fashion items.

• Retailers and manufacturers are adapting, reassessing supply chains and product sourcing to counteract the impact of tariffs, though it remains uncertain how strongly these price hikes will influence overall inflation data.

Tariffs on imported goods continued to raise the price consumers paid in June. Some of those increases may show up later this week when the Labor Department reports the Consumer Price Index for June.

Meanwhile, ConsumerAffairs has found a few categories where tariffs increased consumer prices the most last month.

Automobiles and auto parts

• A 25% tariff on imported vehicles and parts led to a surge in car prices, with potential increases ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per vehicle.

• June saw a sharp decline in auto sales following earlier panic buying, with the annualized sales rate dropping to 15 million units from Aprils 17.6 million.

Apparel and fashion

• Tariffs up to 169% on items like wool sweaters and 145% on toys and dolls significantly raised consumer prices.

• Consumers reported unexpected tariff bills on online fashion purchases, such as a $372 fee on a $1,000 clothing order from the UK.

Electronics

• Tariffs between 2535% on semiconductors, smartphones, and lithium-ion batteries increased costs for a wide range of consumer electronics.

• A 60% tariff on Chinese imports could raise future laptop prices by up to 46% and smartphones by up to 26%, according to some economists.

Fireworks

• Tariffs made last weeks July 4th fireworks displays more expensive. With 99% of U.S. fireworks sourced from China, a 30% tariff threatened to shorten or cancel displays, especially in smaller towns.

Alcoholic beverages

• Tariffs on aluminum used in cans and imported beers like Corona and Modelo squeezed profit margins and led to higher retail prices.

Furniture and home goods

• Tariffs of 2040% on imported furniture, particularly from Asia, have increased prices for items like upholstered furniture.

Its not certain that these price increases will dramatically affect Junes inflation numbers. Thats because these tariff-induced price hikes may have led consumers to adjust their spending habits, with many cutting back on non-essential purchases and seeking domestic alternatives.

Retailers and manufacturers are also reportedly reevaluating their supply chains to mitigate the impact of ongoing trade tensions.

Any increased revenue will fund infrastructure improvements, the White House said

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• President Donald Trump has ordered higher national park fees for foreign visitors to prioritize access for Americans.

• The order revokes Obama-era diversity and inclusion efforts in public lands management.

• Extra revenue from international tourists will fund infrastructure improvements across federal recreation sites.

Visiting Americas national parks is about to become more expensive for international travelers under a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which also reverses diversity and inclusion policies from previous administrations.

The order, issued on July 3, directs federal agencies to raise entry and recreation fees for non-U.S. residents. This includes higher costs for the popular America the Beautiful annual pass, which grants access to national parks and other public lands across multiple federal agencies.

From the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon to the tranquility of the Great Smoky Mountains, Americas national parks have provided generations of American families with unforgettable memories, Trump said in the order.

It is the policy of my Administration to preserve these opportunities for American families in future generations by increasing entry fees for foreign tourists, improving affordability for United States residents, and expanding opportunities to enjoy Americas splendid national treasures.

According to the order, revenue collected from the higher fees charged to foreign visitors will be reinvested into infrastructure projects and enhancements across national parks and federal recreation sites. It also mandates a review of maintenance needs and instructs the Secretary of the Interior to address any deficiencies.

Preferential access for U.S. citizens

Trumps order emphasizes that Americans should receive preferential treatment with respect to any remaining recreational access rules, including permitting or lottery rules, ensuring domestic visitors have priority over foreign tourists for access to popular sites and limited-entry attractions.

Rollback of diversity policies

Beyond the fee hikes, the executive order rescinds a 2017 presidential memorandum issued by then-President Barack Obama, which promoted diversity and inclusion in the management of national parks and public lands. The Obama-era directive sought to improve access for all Americans and encourage input from diverse communities to protect at-risk historic, cultural, and natural sitesa focus that continued during President Joe Bidens administration.

The move marks a significant shift in policy for the National Park Service and related federal agencies, pivoting away from broad inclusion efforts toward prioritizing American citizens and addressing financial sustainability through increased revenue from international tourism.

The Interior Department is expected to issue further guidance in the coming weeks outlining how the new fee structure and access priorities will be implemented.