Temu didn't provide the consumer protections required under a new rule, FTC says

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• FTC says Temu didnt give shoppers clear tools to report fake or unsafe goods.

• The company also failed to share basic details about many high-volume sellers.

• Temu must make changes and pay a $2 million penalty.

What happened

Temu, one of the fastest-growing online shopping apps, will pay $2 million to settle government claims that it broke the law designed to protect consumers from counterfeit, stolen, or unsafe products.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says Temu violated the INFORM Consumers Act, which took effect in 2023. The law requires online marketplaces to give shoppers an easy way to report suspicious items and to clearly show whos selling the product.

What Temu did wrong

According to the FTC:

• Temu failed to offer a phone number that shoppers could use to report suspicious sellers.

• It didnt provide reporting tools in its gamified shopping experiences, such as spin-the-wheel coupons and in-app games, until late 2024.

• Even when reporting options were added, they werent clear or easy to find.

• In some cases, Temu didnt clearly disclose seller names, addresses, or contact details as required.

What changes are coming

As part of the settlement, Temu must:

• Give shoppers both electronic and phone-based ways to report problems, with simple instructions.

• Clearly display seller information, including names and contact details, across its app, website, and gamified shopping features.

• Pay a $2 million fine within a week of court approval.

Why it matters for shoppers

This is the first enforcement action under the INFORM Act, and the FTC says its meant to send a message to online marketplaces: follow the rules or face penalties.

If you shop on Temuor any other marketplaceyoull soon have clearer ways to report unsafe or suspicious items and to know more about who youre buying from.

You can also report concerns about online marketplaces directly to the FTC through its INFORM Act portal.

Jeeps, Dodge Chargers and other Chrysler products take the lead this week

Stellantis (Chrysler) products lead this weeks roundup, with multiple recalls affecting Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler vehicles. Other recalls include models from VinFast and BMW.

Jeep

NHTSA ID: 25V576000

• Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

• Component: Electrical System

• Units Affected: 91,787

• Models: 20222026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV)

Issue: A software error in the hybrid control processor may cause a sudden loss of drive power.
Remedy: Fix under development. Notifications start Oct. 23, 2025. Recall no. 73C.

NHTSA ID: 25V575000

• Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

• Component: Structure

• Units Affected: 8

• Models: 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S

Issue: Incorrect cross car beam in the instrument panel fails to meet crash protection standards (FMVSS 208).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cross beam free of charge. Notifications start Oct. 24, 2025. Recall no. 71C.

Dodge & Jeep

NHTSA ID: 25V574000

• Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

• Component: Power Train

• Units Affected: 75

• Models: 20242025 Dodge Charger, 20242025 Jeep Wagoneer S

Issue: Improperly installed spring may prevent the park function from engaging, leading to rollaway risk. Fails FMVSS 114 (Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the electric drive module free of charge. Notifications start Sept. 25, 2025. Recall no. 63C.

Chrysler

NHTSA ID: 25V573000

• Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

• Component: Air Bags

• Units Affected: 985

• Models: 2025 Chrysler Pacifica, 2025 Chrysler Voyager

Issue: Side curtain airbags may not hold pressure due to improperly sealed seams, failing FMVSS 226 (Ejection Mitigation).
Remedy: Dealers will replace airbags as needed. Interim letters mail Oct. 2, 2025; final remedy to follow. Recalls nos. 82C, 86C, 87C.

VinFast

NHTSA ID: 25V559000

• Manufacturer: VinFast Auto, LLC

• Component: Lane Departure

• Units Affected: 6,314

• Models: 20232025 VinFast VF8

Issue: ADAS may activate during wide turns, causing unexpected steering wheel movements that are hard to override.
Remedy: Free ADAS software update. Notifications start Oct. 24, 2025.

BMW

NHTSA ID: 25V556000

• Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

• Component: Visibility

• Units Affected: 1,406

• Models: 2026 BMW X5, X5 Plug-In Hybrid, X7

Issue: Improper windshield sealing may allow water intrusion into electronic control units.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair seals, replacing control units if necessary. Notifications start Oct. 17, 2025.

Stay Informed

The weekly Auto Safety Recall Roundup covers larger recalls of sedans and light trucks. Commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and recalls of only a handful of units are excluded.

Always check the official NHTSA database for your vehicle: www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

Would you like me to also produce a shortened consumer-facing version (just the essentials: brand, models, issue, remedy) for quick publication alongside this full roundup?

An aging population is increasing demand for services

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Rising labor and supply costs are straining hospitals, clinics, and insurers.

• An aging population is expected to drive higher demand for care.

• New government policies and medical technologies will add to overall spending.

Seniors have already been warned to prepare for rising Medicare premiums in 2026. Everyone else should prepare as well.

Many healthcare industry analysts predictthat 2026 will bring a significant uptick in medical costs, touching everything from insurance premiums to out-of-pocket payments for doctor visits and prescriptions. For consumers, understanding the forces at play can help prepare for whats ahead.

One of the biggest drivers of future healthcare costs is labor. Hospitals and clinics are facing persistent shortages of nurses, technicians, and other frontline workers.

To attract and retain staff, healthcare providers are raising wages, which inevitably filters down to patients in the form of higher charges. At the same time, the medical supply chain continues to experience inflation in the cost of pharmaceuticals, equipment, and raw materials. Together, these pressures make it more expensive to deliver even routine care.

An aging population

The U.S. population is growing older, with baby boomers continuing to retire in record numbers. By 2026, more Americans will enroll in Medicare while also needing more intensive care for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimers.

This increased demand places greater strain on the system, forcing insurers and providers to expand services at higher costs. For families, that may translate into higher premiums, deductibles, and copayments.

Government policies are also reshaping the financial landscape. While some reforms aim to cap drug prices or expand preventive services, others, such as adjustments to Medicare payment structures, may inadvertently raise costs in certain areas.

In addition, breakthrough technologies like advanced cancer therapies, genetic testing, and AI-driven diagnostic tools are becoming more common. While these innovations promise better outcomes, they often carry steep price tags that add to overall spending.

What consumers can do

For households, the projected rise in healthcare costs underscores the importance of planning. Reviewing insurance coverage every year, comparing Medicare Advantage and supplemental options, and using preventive services can help blunt the impact. Consumers may also benefit from exploring health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which provide tax advantages for medical spending.

In short, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where healthcare becomes even more expensive. Staying informed and proactive now may help families navigate whats coming with less financial strain.

The products were distributed in six states and Washington, DC

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Endico Potatoes is recalling its peas and carrots and mixed vegetables due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

• The products were sold in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington D.C., and Florida between July 18 and August 4, 2025.

• Do not eat these vegetables return them to the store for a refund or call the company for more information.

Endico Potatoes, based in Mount Vernon, NY, has recalled certain bags of frozen vegetables after testing found traces of Listeria monocytogenes. While no illnesses have been reported, the bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in:

• Young children

• Elderly adults

• People with weakened immune systems

• Pregnant women (infections can lead to miscarriages or stillbirths)

Even healthy people may experience fever, headache, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Products to look for

Check your freezer for these products sold in 2.5-pound clear plastic bags under the Endico label:

• Peas and Carrots

  • Lot code: 110625

  • Production date: 6/11/25

  • Use by: 6/10/27

• Mixed Vegetables

  • Lot code: 170625

  • Production date: 6/17/25

  • Use by: 6/16/27

The lot codes are printed on the side of the bag.

What to do

• Do not eat these vegetables.

• Throw them away immediately or return them to the store for a full refund.

• If youve already eaten them and are feeling sick, contact your doctor right away.

For questions, call Endico Potatoes at 1-800-431-1398. If youre unsure whether your frozen veggies are part of the recall, its safer to discard them than to risk infection.