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

• 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.

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

• 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.

Policy renewals also threatened by the lapse

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

The company has made a commitment to cleaner food products

• 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.

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.

The new brand brings together Amazon Fresh and other favorite brands under one low-price umbrella

• Amazon is unveiling Amazon Grocery, a private-label food brand combining its Amazon Fresh and Happy Belly lines

• The new collection offers over 1,000 high-quality grocery items (many under $5), from produce to snacks

• New packaging emphasizes clarity, reduced plastic use, and easier shopping decisions

If youve ever browsed Amazon or walked into an Amazon Fresh store and felt overwhelmed by choice, this might simplify things: Amazon is rolling out Amazon Grocery.

The new private-label brand brings together the retailers existing grocery brands under one roof.

The goal? To make it easier for customers to find quality staples at everyday low prices.

"With Amazon Grocery, we're simplifying how customers discover and shop our extensive private label food selection while maintaining the quality and value our customers expect and deserve," Jason Buechel, Vice President of Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores and Chief Executive Officer at Whole Foods Market, said in a news release.

"During a time when consumers are particularly price-conscious, Amazon Grocery delivers more than 1,000 quality grocery items across all categories that don't compromise on quality or taste from fresh food items to crave-worthy snacks and pantry essentials all at low, competitive prices that help customers stretch their grocery budgets further."

Whats in the world of Amazon Grocery?

Amazon Grocery is set to launch with more than 1,000 items, all rated four stars or higher by customers. The assortment covers a wide range of categories: fresh produce, dairy, meat and seafood, pantry staples, snacks, and beverages.

Some examples from day one: cage-free eggs, oven-roasted turkey breast, jasmine rice, brownies, and baby carrots.

To kick things off, Amazon is also introducing fresh cinnamon rolls, bottled spring water, and refrigerated lemonade under the new label.

Most of the new items are priced under $5, making it clear Amazon wants shoppers to feel theyre getting value without compromising quality.

Whats different now?

One of the big changes is packaging. The new Amazon Grocery packaging is clean, modern, and designed for clear readability think bold labels, less clutter.

The packaging is also more sustainable: for instance, the apples from Amazon Grocery now use 50% less plastic than previous versions. Nutrition and ingredient information are front and center so shoppers can make informed choices.

Amazon Grocery joins a broader private-label portfolio. Its meant to sit between Amazons budget-friendly Amazon Saver line and more specialty or organic options like 365 by Whole Foods Market.

Starting right now, products are available online via Amazon.com and on Amazon Fresh, and prepped for rollout in physical stores where applicable (subject to availability).