Consumer News: Grocery prices flashed mixed signals in August

Expert weigh in

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Since 2020, the average U.S. residential electric bill has increased 29.3%, as energy demand climbs with the rapid expansion of AI-powered data centers.

• Experts say utilities are investing billions in new power generation and transmission to meet data center demand, and those costs are often spread across all ratepayers, including households.

• Policymakers say new rate structures and requiring tech companies to fund their own power needs could help prevent residential customers from subsidizing data center electricity use.

Since 2020, residential electric bills have soared. The rising bills coincide with the rapid construction of large data centers that power artificial intelligence.

A ConsumerAffairs analysis of the Energy Information Administrations Electric Power Monthly reports found that the average residential electric bill has risen 29.3%.

An analysis of Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the same years shows a similar rise, including a spike during 2022 and 2023, when inflation reached a multi-year high.

Phil Odonkor, power grid and energy sustainability expert from Stevens Institute of Technology, says its a simple matter of supply and demand.

There is not enough new power to meet the rising demand, which is hiking up prices,Odonkor told ConsumerAffairs.

Chris Black is the CEO of GridX, a company that works with utility companies on rate design for consumers. Black said data centers consume a lot of electricity and residential customers are subsidizing a lot of it. But he says data centers dont have to be the villain.

With the right rate structures things like long-term contracts, minimum demand commitments, and smarter tariff design that incentivizes data centers to flex their load during peak periods utilities can actually protect residential customers and keep bills in check, Black said. That's the direction this industry needs to move tools and rate structures that put people first, not as an afterthought."

Sudden spike

For two decades, electricity demand was relatively flat. Utility companies didnt see the need to build capacity as a rapid rate. But utilities in states with the fastest growth in data centers, bills have spiked.

In states like Virginiathe world's largest data center hubhousehold bills in some regions have already soared by 267% over the last five years as utilities scramble to keep up with the load, said Greg Field, owner of PGT Home Energy Solutions.

Arif Gasilov, partner at Gasilov Group, a firm that works on energy regulatory and sustainability strategy, says utilities are filing massive capital spending plans to serve projected loads, and those infrastructure costs get spread across all ratepayers, including residential customers.

In Nevada, for example, NV Energy's latest resource plan projects a 47% increase in electricity demand driven almost entirely by data center growth, and its Greenlink transmission project ballooned from $2.5 billion to $4.2 billion, with roughly 80% of that line's capacity committed to data center operators.

Meanwhile residential customers in the same service territory just got a new daily demand charge. The cost allocation question of whether data center operators are paying their fair share of the grid buildout they're driving, or whether residential and small commercial customers are subsidizing it, is one that utility commissions are only starting to discuss.

Fox Swim, senior solar industry researcher at Aurora Solar, agrees that the rapid buildout of AI data centers is driving a surge in electricity demand.

Expect volatile energy prices

There are an incredible number of factors that will play a role in whether energy prices change this year, most of which are not clear yet, Swim told us. Regardless of how this plays out, consumers can probably expect that energy prices will be quite volatile this year, with an overall trend upward."

National policymakers have taken notice. President Trump addressed the issue during last months State of the Union address.

Many Americans are also concerned that energy demand from AI data centers could unfairly drive up their electric utility bills, Trump said, announcing efforts to require major technology firms to provide for their own power needs when they construct data centers.

Three Senate Democrats also sent letters to seven large tech firms, calling on them to provide support for residential utility customers who are facing rising bills.

New policy aims to reduce cabin noise and improve the onboard experience

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• United Airlines will require passengers to use headphones when listening to audio on personal devices during flights.

• The policy aims to reduce cabin noise and improve the onboard experience, according to the airline.

• Passengers who refuse may be asked to stop using their devices audio functions during the flight.

United Airlines is rolling out a new onboard etiquette rule that will require passengers to wear headphones when listening to audio or watching videos on personal devices, a move the carrier says is intended to reduce cabin disturbances and improve the flying experience.

The policy, which applies to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and handheld gaming devices, prohibits passengers from playing audio through external speakers while onboard. Travelers who want to watch movies, listen to music, or play games with sound must use headphones or earbuds.

Airlines have increasingly faced complaints from passengers about others playing videos or music out loud during flights. United said the new rule is meant to address those concerns and bring consistency to expectations for in-flight behavior.

Shared cabin space means shared courtesy, the airline said in a statement announcing the policy. Requiring headphones helps ensure that customers can relax, work, or sleep without unnecessary noise.

Violators can be removed from the flight

Under the new rule, flight attendants may remind passengers to use headphones if audio is audible to others nearby. If a traveler does not have headphones available, they may be asked to mute their device.

United already provides headphones for passengers using seat-back entertainment systems on many aircrafts, and the airline noted that some flights may have earbuds available for purchase.

The airline said the rule will apply throughout the flight, including during boarding and taxiing, when many passengers begin watching videos or listening to music while settling into their seats.

Growing source of tension

Etiquette issues related to personal electronics have become a growing source of tension in crowded cabins. Complaints about passengers using speakerphone, playing games with loud sound effects, or streaming videos without headphones have become common topics on travel forums and social media.

Travel analysts say formalizing the expectation could help cabin crews address the issue more easily.

United said it will communicate the policy through pre-flight announcements, onboard messaging, and updates to its customer guidelines. The airline expects the rule to take effect across its network in the coming months.

The meals were sold under brand names that include Trader Joes and Kroger

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Ajinomoto Foods North America has expanded a recall of frozen meals to nearly 37 million pounds of products due to possible glass contamination.

• The recall includes chicken and pork fried rice, ramen, and dumpling products sold under brands such as Trader Joes, Kroger, Ling Ling, Tai Pei, and Ajinomoto.

• Consumers are urged not to eat the products and instead throw them away or return them to the store.

Ajinomoto Foods North America has dramatically expanded a nationwide recall of frozen meals after consumer complaints about glass found in some products.

The Portland, Oregon-based company is now recalling about 36.9 million pounds of frozen ready-to-eat (RTE) and not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) chicken and pork products, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The expansion adds 33,617,045 pounds of products to a recall first announced Feb. 19, bringing the total volume affected to nearly 37 million pounds.

The recalled items include fried rice, ramen, and shu mai dumplings produced between Oct. 21, 2024, and Feb. 26, 2026. They were sold under several brand names, including Ajinomoto, Kroger, Ling Ling, Tai Pei, and Trader Joes.

Products carry best-by dates ranging from Feb. 28, 2026, through Aug. 19, 2027, and bear establishment numbers P-18356, P-18356B, or P-47971 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The frozen meals were shipped to retail locations nationwide, and some Ajinomoto-branded items were also exported to Canada and Mexico.

Source of contamination

The recall was triggered after the company notified regulators that it had received multiple consumer complaints reporting pieces of glass in the food.

An investigation found that the likely source of the contamination was carrots used as a vegetable ingredient, which may have introduced glass fragments into the affected products.

So far, no injuries have been confirmed, but federal officials say anyone concerned about possible injury should contact a health care provider.

What consumers should do

FSIS warns that some of the products may still be stored in retailers inventories or in consumers freezers.

Consumers who purchased the affected products should not eat them. Instead, they should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

The agency said it will conduct recall effectiveness checks to ensure retailers remove the products and customers are properly notified.

Consumers with questions can contact Ajinomoto Foods North America Consumer Affairs at (855) 742-5011 or email customercare@ajinomotofoods.com. Food safety questions can also be directed to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.

The meals were sold under brand names that include Trader Joes and Kroger

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Ajinomoto Foods North America has expanded a recall of frozen meals to nearly 37 million pounds of products due to possible glass contamination.

• The recall includes chicken and pork fried rice, ramen and dumpling products sold under brands such as Trader Joes, Kroger, Ling Ling, Tai Pei and Ajinomoto.

• Consumers are urged not to eat the products and instead throw them away or return them to the store.

Ajinomoto Foods North America has dramatically expanded a nationwide recall of frozen meals after consumer complaints about glass found in some products.

The Portland, Oregon-based company is now recalling about 36.9 million pounds of frozen ready-to-eat (RTE) and not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) chicken and pork products, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The expansion adds 33,617,045 pounds of products to a recall first announced Feb. 19, bringing the total volume affected to nearly 37 million pounds.

The recalled items include fried rice, ramen and shu mai dumplings produced between Oct. 21, 2024, and Feb. 26, 2026. They were sold under several brand names, including Ajinomoto, Kroger, Ling Ling, Tai Pei and Trader Joes.

Products carry best-by dates ranging from Feb. 28, 2026, through Aug. 19, 2027 and bear establishment numbers P-18356, P-18356B or P-47971 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The frozen meals were shipped to retail locations nationwide, and some Ajinomoto-branded items were also exported to Canada and Mexico.

Source of contamination

The recall was triggered after the company notified regulators that it had received multiple consumer complaints reporting pieces of glass in the food.

An investigation found that the likely source of the contamination was carrots used as a vegetable ingredient, which may have introduced glass fragments into the affected products.

So far, no injuries have been confirmed, but federal officials say anyone concerned about possible injury should contact a healthcare provider.

What consumers should do

FSIS warns that some of the products may still be stored in retailers inventories or in consumers freezers.

Consumers who purchased the affected products should not eat them. Instead, they should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

The agency said it will conduct recall effectiveness checks to ensure retailers remove the products and customers are properly notified.

Consumers with questions can contact Ajinomoto Foods North America Consumer Affairs at (855) 742-5011 or email customercare@ajinomotofoods.com. Food safety questions can also be directed to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.

There has been an immediate impact at the gas pump

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Oil prices have surged as the Iran war threatens global energy supplies, with Brent crude climbing above $80 per barrel amid fears of disruptions in the Middle East.

• Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz a key route for about 20% of global oil has been disrupted, intensifying concerns about shortages and higher fuel costs worldwide.

• U.S. officials and market analysts warn the conflict could push energy prices even higher, raising inflation risks and increasing pressure on consumers and policymakers.

Escalating conflict in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through global energy markets, pushing oil prices higher and raising concerns about fuel costs for consumers and businesses worldwide.

Oil prices climbed this week as traders reacted to the risk that the war could disrupt supplies from the Middle East one of the worlds most important energy-producing regions. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, has risen sharply since the conflict intensified, with prices reaching more than $80 a barrel in recent trading.

There has been an immediate impact at the gas pump. According to AAA, the national average price of regular gasoline has risen by 25 cents per gallon since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran last weekend. The average price today is $3.25 a gallon.

The Strait of Hormuz is key

Market volatility reflects fears that fighting could interrupt the flow of crude oil and liquefied natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping route between Iran and Oman that handles roughly one-fifth of the worlds oil shipments.

Energy markets reacted quickly after the conflict widened, as investors priced in the possibility that supply from the region could slow or be cut off entirely. Early trading saw crude prices surge as attacks in the region threatened tanker traffic and energy infrastructure.

The war has already disrupted shipping in the Persian Gulf and forced some tankers and shipping companies to avoid the Strait of Hormuz due to safety concerns. The resulting uncertainty has driven a significant risk premium in oil markets and could lead to prolonged price increases if fighting continues.

Analysts say the price surge reflects the strategic importance of the region to the global energy system. Iran itself exports roughly 1.6 million barrels of oil per day, and neighboring producers in the Gulf rely heavily on the same shipping routes.

Broader economic impact

Higher energy prices are already beginning to ripple through the global economy. Gasoline prices in the United States have climbed above $3 per gallon for the first time in months, and economists warn that a prolonged conflict could fuel inflation and raise transportation and manufacturing costs.

The surge in oil prices is also affecting financial markets. Stocks have fluctuated as investors weigh the possibility of a broader regional conflict that could tighten energy supplies and slow global economic growth.

The rising cost of energy is becoming a political issue in Washington as the conflict unfolds. Policymakers are weighing how the war may affect domestic fuel prices and economic stability.

Officials have signaled concern that prolonged disruptions in oil flows could push crude prices even higher, potentially toward $100 per barrel if the conflict escalates further.