The salads were packaged by Fresh Creative Foods

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), said today it has recalled Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad that was sold in the Kroger Family of Stores in following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA and WV. This follows a recall initiated by Fresh Creative Foods, due to possibleListeria monocytogenescontamination of the pasta ingredient that was manufactured by Nates Fine Foods of Roseville, CA.

Other supermarkets have announced similar recalls. Check the FDA site for full details.

Listeria monocytogenesis an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea,Listeriainfection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. No reports of illness or injury have been reported to date. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

The item was sold from the deli full and self-service cases at 1,860 Kroger Family of Stores locations under the following banners: Kroger, Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Frys, Gerbes, King Soopers, Payless, Ralphs and Smiths. Kroger has removed these items from store shelves and initiated their customer recall notification system that alerts customers who may have purchased recalled products through register receipt tape messages and email alerts. For a complete list of product label images, clickhereExternal Link Disclaimer.

The Kroger Family of Stores was notified on September 26 by the salad kit supplier, Fresh Creative Foods, that the supplier of the kits pasta ingredient, Nates Fine Foods, had recalled the bowtie pasta due to possibleListeria monocytogenescontamination. This recall affected 24 Smiths stores in AZ, NM, and NV. On October 1, Kroger was again notified by Fresh Creative Foods, that the supplier for the kits pasta ingredient, Nates Fine Foods, was recalling additional dates of the bowtie pasta as well as penne pasta items due to possibleListeria monocytogenescontamination.

Customers who have purchased the product described above should not consume it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Customers who have questions may contact Kroger at 1-800-KROGERS, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. ET to 12:00 a.m. ET, and Saturday through Sunday 8:00 a.m. ET to 9:00 p.m. ET.

Report calls for an all hands response to escalating fraud

• Consumers are losing an estimated $158 billion a year to fraud, with about 57,000 new victims each day, a new report warns.

• The National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention calls for a coordinated strategy across financial firms, telecoms, social media, and big tech.

• Advocates urge Congress to close legal gaps, hold institutions that receive fraudulent payments accountable, and strengthen enforcement tools.

A new report, United We Stand: A National Strategy to Prevent , says fraud has reached a devastating national scalecosting consumers roughly $158 billion each year and ensnaring about 57,000 new victims daily. The National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention, which spans private, public, and nonprofit sectors, argues that the surge of artificial intelligence tools and faster payment options has made more destructive and harder to stop.

Many are now what are called APP meaning that consumers are tricked into voluntarily sending money, often via an app. Learn more about how you can prevent APP here.

We need all hands on deck to combat fraud, said Carla Sanchez-Adams, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC). Financial institutions and payment providers need to ensure criminal fraudsters are unable to open accounts and receive stolen funds. Telecom and social media companies must prevent these bad actors from accessing and abusing their systems and platforms to initiate fraud schemes. And big tech companies are needed to leverage their best technology to detect and eliminate fraud.

Congressional hearing spotlights legal gaps

At a recent hearing of the U.S. House Financial Services Committees Oversight and Investigations Subcommitteetitled Fraud in Focus: Exposing Financial Threats to American FamiliesSanchez-Adams urged lawmakers to plug holes in consumer protection laws. Among the priorities she outlined:

• Close legal gaps so consumers are protected from both unauthorized transactions and fraudulently induced payments.

• Hold institutions that receive fraudulent funds accountable, not just the originating platforms.

• Coordinate with the FCC to address the role of telecommunications providers that enable large-scale scam campaigns.

Industry and federal and state governments must work together to strengthen policies and practices to protect consumers, added Patrick Crotty, senior attorney at NCLC. Congress and regulators should also expand enforcement of existing laws and hold companies that facilitate fraud, like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call providers, accountable for fraud on their networks.

Enforcement wish list: strengthen TCPA and broaden telemarketing rules

Advocates say the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) should be strengthened to bolster enforcement against providers that transmit scam calls and textsincluding an explicit pathway to target providers that allow scammers onto U.S. phone networks. They also want the FTCs Telemarketing Sales Rule expanded to cover all attempts to wrongfully obtain things of value, including personal data, not just money.

The report contends that beyond updating statutes, regulators and companies need to deploy advanced analytics and identity checks to prevent fraudsters from opening mule accounts, and to choke off scam traffic before it reaches consumers.

Whos behind the task force

The National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention is convened by the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program with support from JPMorgan Chase, Zelle, Block, Target, Amazon, and CLEAR, and impact partners AARP and Stop Alliance.

Prevention tips for consumers

• Slow it down: Scammers use urgency. Hang up, pause, and verify through official channels you find yourself.

• Lock down payments: Treat instant transfers (P2P, wires, crypto) like cashonce sent, its gone. Enable extra verification for large or first-time payees.

• Double-check caller identity: Dont trust caller ID or profile pics. Call back using a number from a bank card or official website.

• Use account alerts: Turn on transaction and login alerts at your bank and credit card issuer.

• Guard personal data: Never share one-time passcodes, PINs, or full SSNs over the phone or text.

• Report fast: If youre targeted or duped, contact your bank and report to the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) and your state AG.

What to do if youre scammed

1. Contact your bank immediately to try to cancel or recall the payment; ask for written confirmation of your claim.

2. Change passwords and enable 2FA anywhere the scammer may have access (email, banking, cloud drives).

3. File official reports with the FTC, your state attorney general, andif it involved phone or textthe FCC.

4. Preserve evidence: Save messages, usernames/handles, phone numbers, transaction IDs, and screenshots.

5. Place fraud alerts with credit bureaus; consider a credit freeze if identity data was exposed.

6. Follow up regularly with your bank and agencies; keep a timeline and ticket numbers.

Quick checklist

Pause and verify through trusted contact info
Use bank alerts and 2FA on all financial accounts
Treat instant transfers like cash
Never share one-time codes or PINs
Report immediately and save evidence

These lightning-quick rely on the consumer taking fast action

APP are fast-moving that leave consumers perplexed and bewildered. They happen quickly and trick victims into using Authorized Push Payment (APP) apps, which often don't have any way to recover lost sums. They add up quickly, with $158 billion lost annually.

Here's some information to help you stay safe from APP .

What is an APP scam?

Its when a scammer tricks you into voluntarily sending moneyvia Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, wires, ACH, crypto, or gift cardsby pretending to be someone you trust (a bank rep, retailer, government agency, employer, or family member).

Why are APP so effective now?
Faster payments settle quickly, and scammers use AI voice clones, spoofed caller IDs, and realistic websites to create urgency and credibility.

Common APP scenarios

• Bank fraud text/call urging you to move money to a safe account.

• Tech support pop-up that installs remote-access software.

• Family emergency voice clone asking for instant help.

• Marketplace or job overpayments with a request to refund.

• Utility/government shutoff threats demanding same-day payment.

• Invoice change emails that quietly swap a vendors bank details.

Are APP losses covered?
Protections vary. Because you authorized the transfer, you may not get automatic reimbursement. Still: report immediatelybanks can sometimes recall funds, and many now review fraudulently induced payments and may refund as a courtesy or under internal policy.

If you already sent money, what should you do first?

• Call your bank/card issuer immediately (use the number on the back of your card/statement).

• Ask for an urgent payment recall and an investigation of the receiving institution.

• If a card number was used, request a chargeback.

• If an account was compromised, freeze/close it and change passwords/2FA.

• Save all evidence (texts, emails, usernames, transaction IDs, screenshots).

• File reports with the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) and your state attorney general.

What if a scammer asked for your one-time passcode (OTP)?
Thats a red flag. Treat the account as compromised: change passwords, revoke app access, reset 2FA, and review recent transactions.

How can I avoid APP ?

• Pause and verify using a phone number or website you look up yourself.

• Never move money to a safe account. Banks do not ask you to do this.

• Dont trust caller ID, profile pics, or email display namesconfirm on a second channel.

• Set lower daily limits for P2P and wires; require approval for new payees.

• Use account alerts for logins and transfers.

• With family or a small business, agree on a shared passphrase for money requests.

Print this APP checklist and keep it handy

Spot the red flags

• Urgent threats (account frozen, utility shutoff, lawsuit today).

• Requests to move money to a safe/holding account.

• Payment demanded via Zelle/P2P, wire, crypto, or gift cards.

• New or changed bank details in a vendor invoice.

• Requests to share one-time passcodes or install remote-access apps.

• Messages that forbid you to hang up or call back.

Before you pay

• Pause. Scammers weaponize urgency.

• Verify on your own. Call your bank/vendor using a number you look up.

• Dual-confirm money requests (phone + email/text).

• Check payee details letter-by-letter; send a tiny test transfer only after verified.

• Set limits & alerts on P2P, wires, and new payees.

• Use a family/business passphrase for any emergency requests.

If you think its a scam (during the contact)

• Hang up / close the chat.

• Do not click links or download software.

• Do not share one-time codes, PINs, or full SSN.

• Take screenshots for evidence.

If you already sent money

1. Call your bank now (number on card/statement).

   • Ask for an urgent recall and investigation of the receiving bank.

   • If a card was used, request a chargeback.

2. Secure accounts: change passwords; enable/refresh 2FA; remove unknown devices/sessions.

3. Report it:

   • FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

   • Identity theft: IdentityTheft.gov

   • State attorney general: (find via NAAG.org)

   • Phone/text : file at the FCC

4. Document everything: dates, times, numbers/handles, transaction IDs, screenshots.

5. Follow up with your bank; keep ticket numbers and escalation notes.

Ongoing protection

• Review monthly statements; dispute suspicious charges quickly.

• Keep devices updated; use a password manager.

• Educate family/staffespecially about voice clones and invoice-change .

A decade-long U.S. survey shows rising self-reported brain fog, but researchers urge cautious interpretation

• Between 2013 and 2023, the share of U.S. adults reporting serious difficulties with concentration, memory, or decision-making rose from 5.3% to 7.4%.

• The biggest jump occurred in young adults (ages 1839): their rate nearly doubled over that period.

• Lower income, less education, and certain racial and regional groups saw especially strong increases.

Lately, more and more Americans are saying they struggle with "brain fog," and theAmerican Academy of Neurology (AAN) highlighted a newly published study that tracks exactly that trend.

While we tend to think cognitive decline comes with age, in this study, younger adults (those under 40) showed the steepest increases. That raises questions: Is something influencing brain health broadly? Or are people just more aware and willing to report issues now?

Challenges with memory and thinking have emerged as a leading health issue reported by U.S. adults, study author Adam de Havenon, M.D., M.S., said in a news release.

Our study shows that these difficulties may be becoming more widespread, especially among younger adults, and that social and structural factors likely play a key role.

The study

The research is based on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a long-running U.S. phone survey coordinated by state health agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Heres a breakdown of the methods:

• The researchers looked at responses collected annually from 2013 through 2023, excluding 2020, because the COVID-19 pandemic likely disrupted survey routines.

• In total, they analyzed more than 4.5 million responses over that period.

• Respondents were asked: Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, do you have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions? Those answering yes were flagged as having a self-reported cognitive disability.

• To reduce confounding, the study excluded individuals who self-reported having depression, dementia, or other cognitive disabilities.

• The researchers then tracked how the prevalence of yes responses shifted over time, and looked at how changes varied by age group, income, education level, race/ethnicity, and region.
  

Its important to note: this is survey data, based on how people perceive their own problems. It does not involve brain imaging, clinical diagnosis, or objective measurements of cognitive function.

The results

Major Findings

• Overall, the proportion of adults reporting serious trouble with thinking or memory climbed from 5.3% in 2013 to 7.4% in 2023.

• Among 1839 year olds, the rate nearly doubled from about 5.1% to 9.7%.

• For older adults (70+), the rate actually declined slightly over the same period.

• People with household incomes under $35,000, and those with lower levels of education, consistently reported higher rates, and saw some of the biggest increases.

• Racial and ethnic groups experienced varying rises. For example, rates among American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic adults tended to increase more sharply.

What We Cant Conclude (Yet)

• This study does not show cause and effect. The results cant say why these rates increased.

• Self-report surveys can be influenced by increasing awareness, shifting attitudes toward mental health, or even changes in how people interpret survey questions.

• Because clinical testing or objective cognitive assessments were not done, we cant tell whether these complaints reflect genuine brain changes, early signs of cognitive decline, or something else.

• The exclusion of people who said they already have depression or dementia helps reduce overlap, but it may also remove people whose cognitive complaints are real but co-occur with mood conditions.
  

What You Can Do if Youre Worried About Brain Fog

If youve noticed more forgetfulness or trouble concentrating, it doesnt necessarily mean something serious is wrong. Here are a few steps you can take:

• Talk to your doctor If memory or focus problems are interfering with daily life, a check-in with a health care professional is the best first step.

• Prioritize sleep Poor or irregular sleep is one of the most common drivers of brain fog.
  Check your stress levels High stress and anxiety can look a lot like memory trouble. Stress-management strategies (exercise, relaxation techniques, therapy) may help.

• Stay physically active Regular movement is linked to better brain health and sharper thinking.

• Review medications and health conditions Sometimes side effects or untreated conditions (like thyroid issues) contribute to cognitive complaints.

• Keep your brain engaged Reading, puzzles, learning new skills, and social interaction can all support mental sharpness.
  

The new study doesnt prove why more people are reporting cognitive difficulties, but its a reminder that brain health deserves attention at every age.