Consumer News: Here are the fast food chains with the least healthy menu items

Thousands of pounds of sauce are affected after a recalled ingredient was linked to possible contamination

• More than 900 cases of Alfredo sauce have been recalled due to a potentially contaminated ingredient.

• The recall stems from a dry milk powder supplier's recall involving possible Salmonella contamination.

• The affected product was distributed to dozens of states and has been classified as a Class I recall.

A large recall involving Alfredo sauce is underway after a supplier identified a potential food safety issue with one of the product's ingredients. The recall affects Alfredo Sauce sold in sealed bags weighing three pounds seven ounces and packed 12 bags per case.

According to information posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recall was initiated by The Coffee Connexion Co., Inc., based in Lebanon, Tennessee.

The company voluntarily recalled the product after learning that a dry milk powder ingredient used in the sauce had been recalled by its supplier because of possible Salmonella contamination.

The recall remains ongoing and has not been terminated.

What products are affected?

The recall involves 913 cases of Alfredo sauce bearing UPC 0039954921963. Multiple production batches and lot numbers are included, with best-by dates ranging from January through April 2028.

Affected batches include:

• Batch numbers 046188 through 046193, Lot 0126, Best By 01/12/2028

• Batch numbers 047290 through 047296, Lot 0476, Best By 02/16/2028

• Batch numbers 048029 through 048034, Lot 0686, Best By 03/09/2028

• Batch numbers 049089 through 049094, Lot 1106, Best By 04/20/2028

The FDA classified the event as a Class I recall, which is the agency's most serious recall category. The recall was initiated on May 6, 2026, and received its FDA classification on June 4, 2026.

The affected product was distributed across a wide portion of the United States, including New York, California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Washington, Wisconsin, and dozens of other states.

What this means for consumers

For consumers, the main takeaway is that the recall was not triggered by contamination discovered in the finished Alfredo sauce itself, but by concerns involving a recalled dry milk powder ingredient supplied to the manufacturer.

Anyone who may have purchased or received the affected Alfredo sauce should compare the batch, lot, and best-by information with the recall notice. Because the recall has been classified as Class I and remains active, consumers should avoid using affected products until they can determine whether their sauce is included in the recall.

The FDA notes that the recall is ongoing, meaning additional updates could be issued as the situation continues to be monitored.

New approval adds one more option for emergency opioid response

• The FDA has approved Rextovy, a new over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray for opioid overdoses.

• Consumers will be able to purchase the product without a prescription in stores and online.

• The agency says additional OTC options could improve availability, increase competition, and potentially lower costs.

As opioid overdose deaths remain a major public health concern, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved another over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray designed to reverse opioid overdoses in emergency situations.

The newly approved product, called Rextovy, joins a growing list of naloxone products that consumers can purchase without a prescription. According to the FDA, expanding access to these medications is part of a broader effort to ensure more people can quickly respond when an overdose occurs.

Naloxone is considered the standard treatment for opioid overdose because it works rapidly to reverse the effects of opioids. The FDA notes that people do not need medical training to administer naloxone, making it a valuable tool for family members, caregivers, bystanders and others who may witness an overdose.

Reducing opioid overdose deaths is a top priority for FDA, Mike Davis M.D., Ph.D., acting director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), said in a news release. Todays approval of an additional over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray helps broaden access and offers an additional option for consumers. Empowering people without medical training to take immediate action with these products has been proven to save lives.

What the FDA approved

The newly approved product, Rextovy, is a 4-milligram naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray intended for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose.

Like other over-the-counter naloxone nasal sprays already on the market, it can be purchased directly by consumers without a prescription. The FDA said consumers will be able to buy it at locations such as pharmacies, convenience stores, and online retailers.

Rextovy contains the same active ingredient found in other naloxone nasal sprays. FDA officials emphasized that having multiple approved products available gives consumers additional choices while helping expand overall access to overdose-reversal medications.

The agency also noted that more products on the market can encourage competition, potentially leading to lower costs and providing alternative sources of supply.

What this means for consumers

For consumers, the approval means there is now another nonprescription option available for responding to an opioid overdose.

People no longer need a prescription to purchase Rextovy, which could make it easier to obtain and keep on hand for emergencies. The FDA says broader availability of naloxone products can help ensure that individuals are prepared to act quickly when an overdose occurs.

Immediate access to naloxone nasal sprays is essential when a person is experiencing an overdose, and FDA remains committed to ensuring nonprescription options are widely available, Karen Murry, M.D., director of the Office of Nonprescription Drug Products in CDER, said in the release.

We are proud of the dedicated work our review divisions put into making this approval possible, and we encourage any manufacturer seeking to market a nonprescription naloxone product to contact the agency to initiate a conversation.

Package theft tends to rise with major shopping events, making delivery security just as important as finding the best deals

• Package theft often increases around major shopping events like Prime Day, as thieves take advantage of the surge in home deliveries.

• Experts recommend using pickup lockers, secure delivery options, or scheduling deliveries when someone is home to reduce the risk of theft.

• If a package is stolen, act quickly by checking tracking information, reviewing camera footage, contacting the retailer and carrier, and filing a police report.

As shoppers gear up for Prime Day, millions of packages will soon be making their way to doorsteps across the country.

New data from e-commerce marketing platform Omnisend shows that 55% of consumers plan to shop this year's sale, up from 45% last year, while two-thirds expect to spend the same amount or more than they did in 2025.

But while bargain hunters focus on scoring discounts, security experts say there's another concern worth keeping in mind: package theft.

Research suggests that millions of deliveries are stolen each year, costing consumers, retailers, and delivery companies billions of dollars. In fact, some experts report that theft activity can spike in the weeks following major online shopping events as criminals take advantage of the surge in deliveries.

The good news is that a few simple precautions can significantly reduce the chances of a package disappearing from your porch.

To help shoppers protect their purchases this Prime Day season, ConsumerAffairs spoke with Marty Bauer, an ecommerce expert at Omnisend, and Gene Petrino, a security expert with Security.org, about the risks consumers face and the steps they can take to keep their deliveries safe.

A prime opportunity for porch pirates

The time before and after Prime Day is particularly lucrative for porch pirates and Petrino explained why.

Package thefts spike dramatically in the week after Prime Day, and thieves are paying attention to delivery surges because they know there will be more unattended boxes sitting on more porches, he said. Amazons 2025 Prime Day was a record $24.1 billion sales event, so the delivery wave is real and the opportunity is obvious.

Taking extra precautions

If youre planning on ordering things during Prime Day, Bauer recommends taking a few extra steps to ensure you get what you paid for.

The best way to avoid having your Amazon packages stolen is to utilize services the company offers, including Amazon Key, Amazon Day delivery, and pickup lockers, Bauer said. Each of these is useful in ensuring the package is received by the unintended recipient.

Other steps shoppers can take are the old-fashioned method of having items shipped to their office or asking a neighbor to collect packages when they know theyll be unavailable to personally do so.

Petrino said that he recommends shoppers opt for a more secure option once the item is valuable enough that they would not want to replace it out of pocket.

As a practical rule, I would say somewhere around the $100 to $200 range, or sooner if it is a gift, electronics, or anything irreplaceable, he said. The average stolen package is about $222, which is a good reminder that porch pirates are often after higher-value items.

What do you do if youre a victim of a porch pirate?

If a package is stolen off your porch, the best thing to do is act fast.

Verify that the package was actually delivered, save and review the camera footage, contact the retailer and the shipping company, and file a police report so there is an official record, Petrino suggested.

We recommend checking tracking and camera footage first, then contacting the retailer. You can also contact the seller, the shipping company, and local police once you know the item was delivered and is missing.

If a retailer refuses to refund you after a package is stolen, Bauer explains that its a complicated situation.

This can be challenging because companies arent inherently responsible for packages, Bauer said.

Shoppers may choose not to do business with the company that refused the refund or replacement, and can take additional steps with future orders, such as providing special delivery instructions, like delivering to an out-of-sight side porch.

Strategies for keeping packages safe

Petrino has some tips for consumers to keep their packages safe:

• Use Amazon Hub Lockers, UPS Access Points, or another pickup location when possible

• Schedule deliveries for when someone is home

• Use a lockbox or parcel box so the package never sits exposed

The biggest misconception is that a camera alone solves the problem, he said. Cameras and motion lighting still matter, but they work best as part of a layered approach that reduces opportunity first.

They help with deterrence and evidence, but if the box is still sitting on the porch, the thief still has an opportunity. The goal is to make the package harder to access in the first place.

The legislation is backed by both Republicans and Democrats

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Bipartisan housing bill moves closer to passage after House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

• Measure would largely bar large institutional investors from buying existing single-family homes, a provision supporters say would give families a better chance to purchase homes.

• Legislation also includes incentives to boost housing supply, including support for manufactured housing, streamlined regulations, and grants for new development.

After the housing market crash of 2008, when millions of single-family homes went into foreclosure, hedge funds and other Wall Street entities began buying them. Some critics maintain that made it harder for consumers to buy these homes to live in.

Now, Congress appears ready to address that issue.

A bipartisan housing affordability bill that would largely prevent large institutional investors from buying existing single-family homes is on track for congressional approval after House and Senate leaders reached a compromise on the legislation. The measure has bipartisan support.

The measure, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, is one of the most significant federal housing proposals in decades and is aimed at addressing a housing affordability crisis that has put homeownership out of reach for many Americans. The legislation combines efforts to increase housing supply with restrictions on large investment firms that purchase homes for rental portfolios.

Trump supports the bill

Under the agreement, large institutional investors would be prohibited from purchasing existing single-family homes, a policy backed by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers and supported by President Donald Trump. Supporters argue that the rise of Wall Street-backed homebuyers has made it harder for families to compete in the housing market, particularly in fast-growing metropolitan areas.

"The deep-seated belief behind this legislation is that homes should be for families, not simply investment vehicles," Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), one of the bill's chief sponsors, said during Senate consideration of the measure.

The Senate approved its version of the bill in March by a vote of 89-10, reflecting broad bipartisan support. The legislation was sponsored by Warren and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who have framed housing affordability as a national challenge that transcends party lines.

Measures to increase supply

In addition to the investor restrictions, the bill seeks to increase housing availability through a variety of supply-side measures. Provisions would streamline certain federal reviews for housing projects, reduce regulations affecting manufactured housing, encourage local governments to relax zoning restrictions, and provide incentives for new residential construction.

Negotiators removed one of the Senate's most controversial provisions, which would have required some investors to sell newly built rental homes within seven years. The compromise was viewed as more acceptable to the real estate and homebuilding industries while preserving the core investor-purchase ban.

The legislation comes as home prices remain elevated and housing inventory remains tight. The median U.S. home price surpassed $400,000 in late 2025, fueling concerns among lawmakers that first-time buyers are increasingly being squeezed out of the market.

Not everyone agrees that restricting institutional investors will significantly improve affordability. Some housing economists note that large investors account for only a small share of the nation's housing stock and argue that the primary driver of high prices remains a shortage of homes. Critics also warn that limiting investor participation could reduce financing for new housing development.

However, supporters contend that the bill's combination of supply expansion and investor restrictions offers the best opportunity in years to address housing affordability.

Congressional leaders expect final votes on the compromise measure in the coming days, after which it would head to the president's desk for signature.

Freshness and consistency helped this chain beat Chick-fil-A

• There's a new fast food king: Jersey Mike's ended Chick-fil-A's 11-year reign atop the ACSI rankings, thanks to strong marks for freshness, consistency, and value.

• Chick-fil-A still dominates chicken: While it lost the overall title, Chick-fil-A remains America's highest-rated chicken chain.

• Diners want more than low prices: Customers increasingly reward restaurants that deliver quality food, accurate orders, and a consistently good experience.

For the first time in more than a decade, Chick-fil-A is no longer America's highest-rated fast food chain.

According to the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), sandwich chain Jersey Mike's has claimed the top spot, ending Chick-fil-A's impressive 11-year run at number one.

The rankings are based on feedback from more than 16,000 restaurant customers nationwide and offer a fascinating look at what matters most to diners right now.

Why Jersey Mike's came out on top

Jersey Mike's earned an ACSI score of 84 out of 100, narrowly edging Chick-fil-A's score of 83.

According to the report, the things that diners valued the most were consistency, reliability, freshness, and overall value. These were all valued higher than just chasing the lowest price for a meal.

This trend definitely appears to have worked in Jersey Mike's favor. On a personal note, when grabbing a sandwich from Jersey Mikes, my freshness meter definitely rises when I see the employee slice the meat and cheese for my sandwich right in front of me.

The chain has also been expanding rapidly, adding hundreds of new locations while surpassing $4 billion in annual sales.

For consumers, the clear takeaway is that restaurants who consistently deliver a quality experience are winning customer loyalty, even as food prices remain high.

What happened to Chick-fil-A?

Before Chick-fil-A fans start to panic, the chain is still performing exceptionally well on all metrics. While it lost the overall crown, Chick-fil-A remains the top-rated chicken chain in America.

The chicken category rankings were:

1. Chick-fil-A

2. KFC

3. Raising Cane's

4. Wingstop

5. Popeyes

In other words, customers still love themselves some Chick-fil-A, just not on Sundays. Jersey Mike's simply managed to earn slightly higher marks overall this year to take the crown.

Some surprising category winners

Several of the results may surprise fast food diners.

In the burger category, Burger King and Culver's topped the list, while McDonald's failed to crack the top five.

Specifically, the top burger chains were:

1. Burger King

2. Culver's

3. Sonic

4. Wendy's

5. Five Guys

You may notice that In-N-Out Burger is missing from the list. That's likely because the California-based chain still operates primarily in the western U.S. and isn't as nationally distributed as many of the brands included in the survey. Had it been eligible, it's hard to imagine it wouldn't have been a contender near the top of the burger rankings.

For pizza lovers, Papa Johns and Pizza Hut tied for first place, ahead of Domino's.

And in the coffee category, Starbucks remained the clear leader.

What diners care about the most

The report found that food quality, order accuracy, and employee friendliness continue to drive customer satisfaction more than anything else.

Digital ordering and tech innovation also played a larger role this year. Customer satisfaction with restaurant mobile apps improved significantly, suggesting chains are getting better at online ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery experiences.

That's definitely good news for consumers who increasingly order through apps rather than standing in line.

Smart tips for getting the best fast food experience

• Don't focus solely on price. The highest-rated chains earned strong marks because customers felt they received good value, not necessarily because they were the cheapest.

• Use restaurant apps. Most major chains now offer exclusive coupons, loyalty rewards, and personalized offers through their mobile apps.

• Check category winners. If you're craving a burger, sandwich, pizza, or chicken meal, these rankings can help point you toward chains that consistently satisfy customers.

• Pay attention to consistency. The biggest theme in this year's rankings was reliability. Customers increasingly reward restaurants that deliver the same quality experience every visit and at every location.