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Consumer Daily Reports

Updated guideline shifts the focus toward early action, brain health, pregnancy care, and personalized risk tools

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
August 15, 2025

  • Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure and the new 2025 AHA/ACC guideline is here to help manage it with a fresh, early-action approach.

  • Smart tools and tests, including the new PREVENT calculator and expanded lab screenings, help tailor care to each persons needs.

  • Lifestyle habits still matter, with stronger emphasis on diet, exercise, stress management, and special attention to blood pressure during and after pregnancy.


Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. are dealing with high blood pressure (defined as 130/80 mm Hg or higher), and its the leading and preventable killer when it comes to heart attacks, strokes, kidney troubles, and even cognitive decline or dementia.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) has released new blood pressure guidelines for 2025, tackling this issue with a prevention-first, act-sooner motto thats built for todays needs.

High blood pressure is the most common and most modifiable risk factor for heart disease, Chair of the guideline writing committee Daniel W. Jones, M.D., FAHA, said in a news release.

By addressing individual risks earlier and offering more tailored strategies across the lifespan, the 2025 guideline aims to aid clinicians in helping more people manage their blood pressure and reduce the toll of heart disease, kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, and dementia.

Early treatment & personalized tools

This guideline encourages acting early before problems escalate.

A major tool? The brand-new PREVENT risk calculator, developed by the AHA in 2023. It estimates your 10- and 30-year risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, and smartly factors in things like your ZIP code to account for social health drivers.

On the diagnostic side, there are two upgrades:

  • Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio is now recommended for all people with high blood pressure to more accurately check kidney health.

  • Aldosterone-to-renin ratio testing is expanded to help detect a condition called primary aldosteronism in more people especially those with stage 2 hypertension or sleep apnea.

Lifestyle still leadsbut with new precision

As ever, healthy habits remain the foundation of good blood pressure control. Things like balanced eating, regular movement, and stress relief are key for consumers heart health. However, this time, the guidelines get more specific:

  • Sodium cap lowered: Aim for under 2,300 mg per day and ideally get closer to 1,500 mg especially in packaged or restaurant foods.

  • Alcohol balance: Limit to no alcohol or, at most, two drinks per day for men and one for women.

  • Stress relief: Consider meditation, breathing techniques, or yoga and regular exercise that moves, strengthens, and centers you.

  • Weight goals: For those who are overweight or obese, even a modest 5% weight reduction can have a big impact.

  • Healthy eating patterns: Follow plans like the DASH diet packed with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy.

  • Move more: Aim for 75150 minutes per week of aerobic work and/or strength training.

  • Track at home: Home blood pressure monitoring is encouraged to confirm office readings and guide treatment.

Protecting your brain & pregnancy health

This guideline puts fresh shine on two key life areas:

  • Your brain matters: High blood pressure isnt just a heart threat it can damage tiny vessels in your brain, nudging toward memory loss or dementia. Thats why the target is now under 130 mm Hg (systolic) early on, to help safeguard cognitive health.

  • Pregnancy care refined: High blood pressure before, during, or after pregnancy is now handled with more urgency. The guideline recommends counseling on low-dose aspirin for preeclampsia prevention, starting medication when pressures reach 140/90 mm Hg or higher even early in pregnancy and continued postpartum monitoring, since risks can linger.

What this means for consumers

The 2025 AHA/ACC guideline isnt just a repeat it's a sharper, earlier, brain-thinking, personalized-care playbook. It empowers both patients and health care teams with practical tools, solid testing updates, lifestyle support, and sensitive care for brain and pregnancy health.

It is important for people to be aware of the recommended blood pressure goals and understand how healthy lifestyle behaviors and appropriate medication use can help them achieve and maintain optimal blood pressure, Dr. Jones said.

Prevention, early detection and management of high blood pressure are critical to long-term heart and brain health, which means longer, healthier lives.




Posted: 2025-08-15 18:59:55

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Consumer News: Toyota tops list of longest-lasting car brands, new study shows

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 13:07:08 +0000

Lexus, Honda, and Acura also stand out as vehicles most likely to hit 250,000 miles

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs
October 2, 2025
  • Toyota leads all brands with a 17.8% predicted chance of hitting 250,000 miles.

  • Japanese automakers dominate the top rankings, with Lexus, Honda, and Acura joining Toyota above the industry average.

  • Most brands fall short of the 4.8% industry average, highlighting how rare true long-haul cars remain.


Toyota once again earns its reputation for building vehicles that last. According to the 2025 iSeeCars Longest-Lasting Cars Study, Toyotas have a 17.8% predicted chance of reaching at least 250,000 miles, nearly four times the industry average of 4.8%.

The brands dominance is due not only to its popular trucks and SUVs, like the 4Runner, Sequoia, Tacoma, and Tundra, but also to long-running sedans and hybrids such as the Avalon and Prius.

Japanese cars have a well-earned reputation for high quality and durability, said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. After looking at the lifespan data on over 174 million vehicles, iSeeCars can confirm that reputation is well deserved.

The top four brands

Behind Toyota, Lexus ranks second with a 12.8% likelihood of surpassing 250,000 miles. Honda follows at 10.8%, and its luxury counterpart Acura, ranks fourth at 7.2%.

These four brands are the only automakers to score above average, putting them in what iSeeCars describes as rarified air when it comes to producing vehicles built for the long haul.

In contrast, many household names land below average. GMC (4.6%), Tesla (4.6%), Chevrolet (4.5%), and Cadillac (4.5%) hover just under the industry benchmark. Othersincluding Subaru, Nissan, and Dodgefall well below the 4.8% threshold.

Brands that can reach 250k miles (Table)

Luxury vs. mainstream

The study also examined differences between luxury and non-luxury brands. Non-luxury shoppers tend to be value-driven, and for them, longevity matters more. Toyota and Honda are the only mainstream brands to rise above the non-luxury average of 5.1%.

Among luxury automakers, Lexus and Acura dominate the top of the list, joined by Tesla, Cadillac, and Lincoln. Still, the average luxury vehicle has just a 3.2% chance of reaching 250,000 milesa reflection, analysts say, of lower annual use rather than poorer build quality.

Reaching a quarter-million miles remains a high bar for most cars. While modern design and engineering have extended lifespans overall, iSeeCars notes that only a handful of brands consistently deliver vehicles capable of lasting decades.

For consumers shopping new or used, lifespan should be just one of many factors to consider. But for buyers planning to keep their vehicles for many years, the latest rankings suggest Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Acura are the safest bets for going the distance.


Read More ...


Consumer News: States sue Zillow and Redfin over competition in apartment ads

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 04:07:08 +0000

The suit says the companies conspired to limit competition, costing renters and landlords more

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
October 2, 2025
  • States say a $100 million pact shut down head-to-head competition in multifamily rental advertising.

  • Coalition argues renters will face fewer choices and landlords higher prices after Redfins exit.

  • Lawsuit seeks to unwind the agreements, block future coordination, and restore competition.


A bipartisan group of state attorneys general is suing Zillow and Redfin, alleging the rivals struck an illegal arrangement to stop competing in the online market for apartment rental advertisinghurting both renters and landlords. The complaint centers on a pair of agreements the companies signed on February 6, 2025, under which Zillow paid Redfin $100 million and Redfin shut down its multifamily rental ad business and sent those clients to Zillow.

The states' action follows a similar complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission.

What the states allege

According to the lawsuit, Zillow and Redfinwhose portfolio includes Rent.comwere two of the three dominant players in online apartment advertising, alongside CoStars Apartments.com. Together, the three controlled about 85% of market revenue. For years, the complaint says, Zillow and Redfin battled to win property managers ad budgets and to attract renters with better features and user experience.

That competition allegedly ended when the companies executed what the states call an unlawful scheme through a Partnership Agreement and a Content License Agreement. The coalition argues the arrangement violates federal antitrust laws by removing a major rival and dulling incentives to improve service quality and pricing.

How the deal worked, per the complaint

Under the Partnership Agreement, Zillow paid $100 million for Redfin to exit advertising for buildings with 25+ units and to transfer Redfins multifamily clients to Zillow, a direct competitor. Under the Content License Agreement, Redfin allegedly agreed to stay out of multifamily advertising for up to nine years and to display only the apartment listings also shown on Zillows sites. The complaint says the pact, while initially limited to larger buildings, envisions extending to all apartment buildings.

As a result, the filing says, about 450 Redfin employees tied to its multifamily rental ad business were terminated.

New York Attorney General Letitia Jameswho leads the coalition with Arizona, Connecticut, Washington and Virginiasaid millions of renters depend on online listings to find an affordable, safe place to live. The AGs contend the deal will raise advertising prices for property managers and reduce choice and innovation for renters by consolidating a market already highly concentrated. They also argue the referral payments from Redfin to Zillow blunt Redfins incentive to compete for traffic by improving its user experience.

What the AGs want the court to do

The lawsuit seeks a ruling that the agreements violate federal antitrust laws, along with an injunction barring Zillow and Redfin from continuing the alleged coordination. The states also ask the court to consider divestitures or other structural remedies necessary to restore competition in the market.

What happens next

If the court grants an injunction, Redfin could be required to rebuild multifamily advertising capabilities or Zillow could be required to divest assets acquired through the deal. The case also raises broader questions about data-sharing and listing syndication in real-estate marketplaces where a few platforms control most traffic.


Read More ...


Consumer News: Sea Port recalls jumbo raw shrimp over possible cesium-137 contamination

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 22:07:08 +0000

Precautionary recall targets Sea Port raw easy peel shrimp sold in seven markets

By News Desk of ConsumerAffairs
October 1, 2025
  • Voluntary recall covers Sea Port brand frozen raw easy peel white shrimp, jumbo 16/20 count/lb, in 1-lb and 2-lb bags.

  • Distributed in small volumes to retailers in AK, CA, HI, MT, OR, WA and American Samoa between July 10 and Sept. 22, 2025; no illnesses reported.

  • FDA is investigating Cs-137 issues tied to an Indonesian processor and says no product that tested positive has entered U.S. commerce (as of Aug. 19).


Sea Port Products Corp., of Kirkland, Wash., is recalling a limited amount of Sea Port brand Frozen Raw Easy Peel White Shrimp, Jumbo 16/20 count/lb because the product may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with cesium-137 (Cs-137), a man-made radioisotope. The company says the recall is voluntary and precautionary. (USA Today)

Where it was sold. The affected bags were distributed in very small volumes to small retailers in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and American Samoa from July 10, 2025 through Sept. 22, 2025. Consumers are urged to check home freezers. (USA Today)

Why this is happening. The action comes amid an ongoing FDA investigation into reports of Cs-137 detected in shipping containers and frozen shrimp associated with Indonesian processor PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods). In an Aug. 19 update, the agency said no product that tested positive for Cs-137 has entered U.S. commerce, while it works with distributors and retailers on recalls out of an abundance of caution. FDA also placed the firm on an import alert to block shipments until safety issues are resolved. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Health context. Cs-137 can exist at low background levels in the environment; the primary concern is long-term, repeated low-dose exposure, which can increase cancer risk by damaging DNA. That risk profile is why regulators are advising against consuming potentially affected shrimp even though no illnesses are reported. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Product details: how to identify the recalled bags

Check the back of the bag near the UPC barcode for the lot/best-by codes below.

  • 1-lb bag Lot C10524 SO502 080; Best by 05/08/2028; UPC 659878010019

  • 2-lb bag Lot C10524 SO502 080; Best by 05/07/2028; UPC 659878008610

  • 2-lb bag Lot C10524 SO502 080; Best by 05/08/2028; UPC 659878008610

What consumers should do

  • Do not eat the recalled shrimp. Dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

  • For questions, contact Sea Port Products at 425-896-0186 (MonFri, 8 a.m.5 p.m. PT).

  • Keep your receipt or a photo of the package/lot code for refund documentation.

  • See FDAs advisory for ongoing updates tied to the Indonesian supplier investigation. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)


Prevention tips

  • Audit your freezer: Search by brand + size (1-lb/2-lb) and confirm lot/best-by against the list above.

  • Shop traceably: Prefer retailers that post recall notices at point of sale and on receipts/loyalty apps.

  • Stay subscribed: Sign up for FDAs recalls & advisories email feed so shrimp and other seafood alerts land in your inbox. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

If youre affected: quick guide

  1. Isolate and bag the product to avoid mix-ups, then discard or return for refund.

  2. Sanitize any surface the thawed product touched.

  3. Monitor updates: FDA continues to update its shrimp advisory; check for expansions or additional brands. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Quick checklist

  • Confirm Sea Port brand, jumbo 16/20 size.

  • Match lot and best-by dates.

  • Dispose/return; do not consume.


Read More ...


Consumer News: National Flood Insurance Program lapses, stalling home sales

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 22:07:07 +0000

Policy renewals also threatened by the lapse

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs
October 1, 2025

  • No new or renewedpolicies during the lapse; FEMA says valid claims will still be paid with available funds.

  • NAR estimates about 1,300 property sales per dayroughly 40,000 closings a monthcould be disrupted; NFIP supports ~500,000 home sales annually.

  • Insurers and state lawmakers urge Congress to pass a long-term reauthorization with mapping, mitigation and pricing reforms.


About six months after a short-term extension, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) expired on Oct. 1, creating immediate uncertainty for homeowners, buyers and sellers in flood-prone areas. The lapse coincides with the traditional height of Atlantic hurricane season and arrives amid a broader federal budget stalemate.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers NFIP, says it will continue paying valid claims as funding allows. However, no new NFIP policies can be sold, and expiring policies cannot be renewed while the program is lapsed.

Who is affected

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) projects that roughly 1,300 property sales per dayabout 40,000 closings per monthcould be delayed or fall through when flood coverage is required for federally backed mortgages. In a letter to Congress earlier this month, NAR urged a long-term reauthorization that pairs reforms such as better flood maps, mitigation funding, and updated pricing. By NARs count, NFIP activity underpins about 500,000 home sales annually.

What industry and state leaders are saying

Days before the deadline, New York Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, president of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), pressed Congress to avert a lapse: A long-term reauthorization is overdue, but in the meantime, we cannot risk leaving families, businesses, and communities vulnerable. The NFIP provides critical stability for policyholders and insurers alike.

Jimi Grande, senior vice president of federal and political affairs at the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), said Congress cannot allow the program to expire at the peak of hurricane season. On Oct. 1, NAMIC president and CEO Neil Alldredge warned: There are two full months between today and the end of hurricane season, and every day more and more Americans will be needlessly put at risk of losing everything in a flood.

Sam Whitfield, senior vice president of federal government relations at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), urged an extension to ensure new home mortgages can close and existing policyholders can maintain coverage. And Lizzy Price of the Insurance Fairness Project said the lapse adds fuel to an already escalating insurance crisis driven by climate change.

Policy context and finances

Congress has passed more than 30 short-term NFIP reauthorizations since 2017, most recently in March 2025. FEMA borrowed $2 billion from the U.S. Treasury earlier this year to pay claimsmany tied to Hurricanes Helene and Milton (2024)after storm losses depleted premium-funded reserves. According to the Congressional Research Service, NFIP had about $615 million on hand as of Jan. 25 to pay claims.

Why it lapsed now

Key NFIP components were set to cease at the end of September. As a polarized Congress failed to reach agreement on broader government funding ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline, the programs renewal stalled, despite calls from insurers and state legislators for at least a stopgap extension and, ultimately, a durable reform package.

What consumers and real estate professionals can do now

  • Check policy dates immediately. If your NFIP policy is nearing expiration, contact your insurer or agent to understand options and timelines once reauthorization occurs.

  • Coordinate with lenders and closing agents. Flood insurance is typically required for mortgages in Special Flood Hazard Areas; discuss contingency plans for closings during the lapse.

  • Document risk and mitigation. Keep records of elevation certificates, mitigation work (e.g., flood vents, elevating utilities), and any communications with insurersuseful for underwriting once sales and renewals resume.

Whats next

Reauthorization legislation could restore new sales and renewals quickly, but the scope and duration of any fixshort-term patch or multi-year overhaulremain uncertain. Stakeholders across the housing and insurance sectors are pressing for a long-term package that modernizes flood mapping, funds mitigation, and aligns pricing with risk while protecting affordability for at-risk households.


Read More ...


Consumer News: Walmart ditches synthetic dyes in its private food lines

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:07:07 +0000

The company has made a commitment to cleaner food products

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
October 1, 2025
  • Walmart U.S. will phase out all synthetic food dyes from its private-brand food lines by January 2027, as part of a broader ingredient reformulation.

  • The change affects brands like Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and bettergoods, and also targets 30 additional additives (preservatives, sweeteners, fat substitutes).

  • Walmart says 90% of its private-brand food items are already free of synthetic dyes, and new versions of reformulated items will begin appearing in stores in the coming months.


If youve ever glanced at a box of cereal or a jar of salad dressing and wondered whats behind all those bright colors, Walmart just made a pretty bold promise: by January 2027, none of its U.S. private-brand food products will contain synthetic food dyes.

Walmarts plan isnt just about dyes. The retailer also intends to remove 30 other ingredients including certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fat substitutes from its store-brand foods. The brands affected include Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and bettergoods.

Its important to note Walmart isnt starting from zero. Right now, about 90% of its private-brand food products are already dye-free. The goal is to bring the remaining 10% along by reformulating their recipes.

Our customers have told us that they want products made with simpler, more familiar ingredients and weve listened, John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart U.S., said in a news release.
"By eliminating synthetic dyes and other ingredients, were reinforcing our promise to deliver affordable food that families can feel good about.

Why now?

Walmart says the push comes from growing customer demand for ingredient transparency and more familiar, recognizable foods.

The timeline is ambitious but measured. Reformulated products are expected to begin appearing in stores soon, with full compliance by January 2027.

Walmart will work closely with suppliers to adjust formulas, find natural alternatives, and maintain taste, color, and pricing.

What you might see change (and what you might not)

Some items that rely heavily on bright colors like frosting, salad dressings, or cereals may look a little different. Walmart says natural options like paprika, annatto, beta-carotene, and spirulina are among the alternatives under consideration.

However, shoppers shouldnt expect big changes in taste or price (at least not without good reason). Walmart has emphasized it wants to keep food affordable while making the switch.

This commitment demonstrates how Walmart is responding to changing customer preferences, while also setting the standard for providing exceptional quality and innovation at an outstanding value, said Furner.


Read More ...


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