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Consumer News: Gobble up the savings: Why your Thanksgiving dinner just got cheaper

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Category: Consumer Daily Reports

Insights from the American Farm Bureau Federations 40th Annual Thanksgiving Survey

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
November 20, 2025

  • Thanksgiving dinner for 10 across America now averages $55.18, down about 5% from last year.

  • The cost drop is largely thanks to a big price fall on frozen turkeys, even while fresh produce costs climbed.

  • There are regional cost differences: the South remains the most affordable region, while the West leads as the highest-cost.

If youre pulling together your grocery list for Thanksgiving this year, you might breathe a little easier.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has released its 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey and, good news: the average cost of the spread for 10 people is $55.18, or about $5.52 per person. Thats a roughly 5% drop compared to last year.

After two years of price relief, things are easing back a bit, though its not quite back to pre-pandemic comfort levels. The survey gives a consumer-friendly snapshot of what many of us pay for a standard Thanksgiving meal.

Its encouraging to see some relief in the price of turkeys, as it is typically the most expensive part of the meal, AFBF Economist Faith Parum, Ph.D., said in a news release.

Farmers are still working to rebuild turkey flocks that were devastated by avian influenza, but overall demand has also fallen. The combination will help ensure turkey will remain an affordable option for families celebrating Thanksgiving.

How the Survey Was Done

Each year, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) enlists volunteer shoppers from all 50 states and Puerto Rico to help collect pricing data.

During the first week of November, these volunteers check grocery store shelves in person and also online via apps and websites to find the prices of a fixed "shopping basket" of Thanksgiving staples.

Importantly, they dont rely on coupons or bundled deals; they report regular retail pricing only.

This survey has been carried out every year since 1986, and AFBF keeps the same basic menu to make cost comparisons over time more meaningful.

The specifics: whats driving the changes

The menu in the survey covers the staples: a 16-pound frozen turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream, all sized for ten servings.
Heres whats moving:

  • The frozen turkey is a big win for shoppers: the average price is now $21.50 (or $1.34 per pound), which is down more than 16% from last year.

  • Half of the items surveyed showed price declines. For example, dinner rolls and stuffing both dropped in price, helped by lower wheat costs.

  • On the flip side, some fresh produce items jumped significantly: frozen vegetable trays are up about 61%, and sweet potatoes climbed about 37% in price. These increases are tied to weather disruptions, labor shortages, and the inherent volatility of produce markets.

  • The survey also broke down costs by region: the classic meal averages $50.01 in the South, $54.38 in the Midwest, $60.82 in the Northeast, and $61.75 in the West. For an expanded menu (adding items like boneless ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans), the cost goes up to $71.20 in the South and as high as $84.97 in the West.

In short: if youre feeding a group of ten this year, youre likely spending less than last year thanks mostly to a turkey price break but keep an eye on the produce aisle, because some sides are costing more.




Posted: 2025-11-20 02:22:02

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Consumer News: Parvo surge alarms veterinarians as dog owners catch anti-vaccine flu
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:07:05 +0000

Low vaccination rates threaten pets and their owners, vets warn

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
December 8, 2025

Phoenix-area clinics report parvo surge far above normal levels

Distemper outbreaks elsewhere highlight broader drop in pet vaccination

Vets warn that low vaccination rates threaten both pets and people

Late last month, animal clinics across the Phoenix metro area began reporting an unusual and troubling spike in canine parvovirus. One clinic treated 47 parvo cases in November five times its typical monthly load. Another hospital told a local TV station, 12 News, it had seen hundreds of dogs with the virus and described the situation as an emergency.

Dr. Thomas Satkus told the station that record rainfall may have contributed to the spike, allowing the hardy virus to linger in waterways and communal play areas. Lower vaccination rates among dog owners also appear to be fueling the spread.

Parvo, a highly infectious gastrointestinal virus, can kill young or unvaccinated dogs within days if untreated. Intensive hospitalization, IV fluids and anti-nausea medications are often required for recovery.

Outbreaks arent isolated and distemper is rising, too

The surge in Arizona echoes other recent outbreaks across the country. Last winter, San Francisco saw parvo infection rates double in some neighborhoods, according to the citys Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

And in Californias Central Valley and Los Angeles County, animal shelters battled deadly outbreaks of distemper, a separate but equally contagious virus that can cause severe respiratory, neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms.

  • In August, Madera County Animal Services temporarily shut down its shelter due to distemper.

  • In October, nearly 200 dogs were euthanized at a Los Angeles County shelter following an outbreak traced back to the community in eastern Lancaster.

Both parvo and distemper are typically prevented through a single core vaccine called DAPP, which veterinarians overwhelmingly recommend for all dogs.

Vaccination is really effective in preventing it, said Dr. Jane E. Sykes, professor of veterinary medicine at UC Davis. Distemper, in particular, remains one of the most devastating diseases in terms of the need for euthanasia of dogs in shelters.

Vaccination declines mirror troubling human trends

Distemper belongs to the same viral family as measles. The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, but with human vaccination rates slipping, cases this year reached their highest level in decades, the New York Times reported.. Sykes warns the same dynamic could reemerge in pet populations if owners stop vaccinating.

It's a good reminder to people that theres potential for this disease to reemerge in owned dogs if people are not vaccinating their pets, she said.

The consequences may extend beyond pet health. Illnesses such as leptospirosis and rabies both preventable through vaccination can spread from animals to humans. And because pets are more integrated into households than ever, the risks increase.

Dogs are sharing our beds with us now, Dr. Steve Weinrauch, chief veterinary officer at Trupanion, told the Times. Theyre kissing our childrens faces.

What dog owners can do now

Get current on vaccines. Veterinarians recommend all dogs receive the DAPP vaccine, starting as early as 68 weeks for puppies with timely boosters. Adult dogs need regular boosters to stay protected.

Watch for symptoms.

  • Parvo: vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, sudden dehydration.

  • Distemper: coughing, fever, runny eyes or nose, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures or twitching.

Limit exposure during outbreaks. Avoid dog parks, boarding facilities or group play if local cases are rising especially for puppies or dogs behind on shots.

Clean carefully. Parvo is unusually hardy. Bleach solutions are among the few disinfectants that reliably kill it on surfaces.

Seek immediate care. Both parvo and distemper progress quickly. Early treatment greatly improves survival odds.

Why this matters for consumers

Veterinary-treatable illnesses like parvo can cost owners hundreds to thousands of dollars in emergency care far more than the cost of routine preventive vaccines. And as animal shelters continue to face overcrowding and staffing shortages, outbreaks strain the system and increase euthanasia risks.

Public health officials say vaccination remains the most powerful tool to protect pets, prevent shelter crises and reduce zoonotic threats to families.


Read More ...

Consumer News: Warning for dog owners: Fromm Recalls BeefiBowls due to plastic risk
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:07:05 +0000

Make sure your dogs food is safe check your freezer now before feeding again

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
December 8, 2025

  • Fromm Family Foods is recalling certain frozen dog food after plastic contamination was found.

  • The recall affects only one product: Bonnihill Farms BeefiBowls Beef Recipe (16 oz chubs, Best By 12/25/2026).

  • While there havent been any illness reports eating plastic could cause vomiting, stomach upset or even intestinal blockages in dogs.

Fromm Family Foods has voluntarily pulled 300 cases of its Bonnihill Farms BeefiBowls Beef Recipe off the shelves after discovering the possibility of foreign plastic contamination.

The recall applies only to the 16-ounce chubs marked with UPC 072705135004 and labeled Best By 12/25/2026 B01.

These BeefiBowls were sold through independent pet stores across multiple U.S. states and even in Ontario, Canada. Affected states include: Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

Why it matters & what you should do

Although no sickness among pets has been officially reported, the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warn that ingesting plastic can lead to symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy or stomach pain.

In more serious cases, it might cause gastrointestinal upset or intestinal blockage which can be dangerous.

If you have any of the recalled BeefiBowls in your freezer, stop feeding them to your pet immediately. The safest bet is to return the product to where you bought it for a refund or dispose of it carefully so pets, kids, or wildlife cant get to it.

Fromm recommends contacting them at 1-800-325-6331 or via email at info@frommfamily.com if you have questions.

If your dog shows any odd symptoms after eating the food, call your veterinarian right away.


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Consumer News: Young kids aren’t hitting their physical activity targets, study finds
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:07:05 +0000

Only a small fraction of preschoolers meet daily physical activity guidelines

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
December 8, 2025

  • Fewer than one in four preschoolers (aged 24) meet the recommended 180 minutes of daily physical activity.

  • Only about 2.4% achieve 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.

  • Children are slightly more active by around 15 minutes on days they attend preschool-type settings compared with days at home.

Its no secret that young children seem to be constantly on the move running around, climbing, playing.

However, new research from the University of Bristol shows that, in reality, most toddlers arent getting close to the daily physical activity experts recommend.

The study tracked hundreds of preschoolers and found a surprisingly large gap between realworld movement and healthy activity levels. That gap matters because those early years lay the foundation for healthy growth and habits.

These findings highlight a critical gap in physical activity among preschoolers, researcher Dr. Kim Hannam said in a news release.

While early years settings provide a more active environment, most children are still not achieving the movement levels needed for healthy growth and development. Our study highlights the need for coordinated strategies between policymakers, educators, and families to support early childhood physical activity.

What the researchers did

The study monitored 419 children aged 2 to 4, nearly evenly split between boys and girls, attending various early-year childcare settings across England (Somerset, Swindon, Sandwell) and parts of Scotland (Arran and Ayrshire).

Each child wore an accelerometer a small device like an activity belt for a full week. Researchers compared how active kids were on days they went to daycare or nursery (early years settings) versus days they stayed at home.

This is the first time such a direct, objectively measured comparison has been made across different types of preschool settings and home environments in the U.K.

What they found

Some of the key findings from the study include:

  • Only 23% of the children met the recommended daily 180 minutes of activity.

  • Even fewer just 2.4% got at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity, the level often associated with stronger cardiovascular and muscular health.

  • Activity levels were modestly higher on preschool days compared with home days: on average, kids moved about 15 minutes more.

  • Boys were more likely than girls to meet these activity targets, and older children in the 24 age group did better than younger ones.

  • Outside preschool settings, children from more affluent families tended to be more active than those from less privileged backgrounds. Interestingly, that gap disappeared when they were in early-years settings implying that good childcare settings can help reduce inequality.

Low levels of physical activity in early childhood can impact on childrens healthy development and increase the risk of a range of chronic conditions in later life, researcher Ruth Kipping said in the news release.

Early years settings play an important role in promoting physical activity and reducing inequalities, especially as government-funded childcare expands. However, the low proportion of children meeting activity guidelines highlights the need for continued investment and research to support healthy development in the early years.

How to help preschoolers stay more active

  • Build movement into everyday routines: Short bursts of dancing, marching to the bathroom, or walking to do small chores can add up quickly.

  • Keep play simple and open-ended: Balls, chalk, cardboard boxes, and music encourage natural movement without needing special equipment.

  • Offer frequent movement breaks: Even five minutes of jumping, stretching, or running in place between quiet activities helps boost overall activity.

  • Head outside whenever possible: Parks, backyards, and playgrounds naturally promote running, climbing, and exploring.

  • Join in the play: Kids often move more when an adult participates, even for just a few minutes.

  • Limit long stretches of sitting: Rotate between seated activities and active ones to keep kids moving throughout the day.





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Consumer News: The truth about “60% Off”: why most sales are fake
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:07:06 +0000

How retailers dress up regular prices in a discount costume

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs
December 8, 2025

  • Many 60% off sales are fake Consumer Checkbook found lots of items are on sale more than half the time, so that sale price is really the everyday price

  • List and regular prices are often fantasy numbers based on past, future, or hypothetical prices almost no one actually pays

  • Treat sales as marketing: compare prices, use price trackers, and dont let today only! hype push you into impulse buys

Wording like 60% OFF, Today only, and Doorbuster deal all sounds exciting, but it turns out most of it is completely fake.

Consumers Checkbook spent six months tracking prices at 25 major retailers. The big takeaway: at most of these stores, the sale price is really just the everyday price dressed up to look like a deal. And this problem has gotten worse over the past decade, not better.

How the fake sales actually work

Retailers will show you a high regular, original, or list price, then put a lower sale price next to it. The message to your brain quickly becomes, Look how much money Im saving.

But Checkbooks researchers found that at most stores, the items they tracked were offered at those supposed discounts more than half the time.

Specifically, at 12 of the 25 companies, more than half the items were on sale every week or almost every week they checked. In other words, the so-called sale price was really just the normal price.

Some stores were especially bad: Bass Pro Shops, Bed Bath & Beyond, Dicks, Foot Locker, Gap, JCPenney, Michaels, Nordstrom, Old Navy, and Wayfair had items that were essentially always on sale.

Interestingly, only three retailers stood out for consistently honest discounts:

  • Apple
  • Costco
  • Dell

Walmart landed right in the middle with almost half of their items marked ason sale, which means theirdiscount signage is still aggressive, but less extreme than many of their competitors.

Why List and Regular prices dont mean much

On some retailer websites, Checkbook couldnt find any explanations at all for how stores set their list prices. If an explanation was found, it was very vague and buried deep in their terms and conditions.

Some of these explanations are almost comical. One major department store said its regular or original price can be a former or future price that they, or another retailer, might someday charge.

Another big-name electronics chain says its comparable value is tied to what the product was (or will be) priced at.

The takeaway being that your savings is often based on a price that hardly any shopper ever paid. Or worse yet, a price that doesnt even exist yet.

How to protect yourself from fake sales

The FTC has some clear rules in place against this deceptive practice, but unfortunately they are not being enforced.

Until the rules are enforced, you have to treat most sales as marketing, not math. Heres how to fight back:

  • Never assume a sale is a deal. In other words, if something always seems to be 40% off, thats not a sale price, thats the real price with a costume on.
  • Always compare prices. Get in the habit of doing a quick price search at a couple other major retailers before you buy. Utilize tools like shopping comparison sites and price trackers (including CamelCamelCamel for Amazon) as they can show you real price history, not those fantasy regular prices.
  • Ask for a price match. Many stores will match a lower price you find elsewhere, including online rivals. That way you can shop where you prefer without overpaying.
  • Take your time. Even when a sale has an end date, some stores will extend the price or honor it later, especially if you ask politely. The today only urgency is often exaggerated.
  • Ignore the emotional hype. All the fake discounts are designed to make you feel like youre winning so youll buy more. Even if you score a good deal, dont let that savings high push you to toss extra stuff into your cart.
  • Call or email for big-ticket items. Because of minimum advertised price (MAP) rules, the lowest prices on appliances, electronics, and other big buys often arent shown online. Independent retailers sometimes quote better prices over the phone, via email, or to loyalty members.

Read More ...

Consumer News: Ford Firestorm Returns — Auto Safety Recall Derby, Week of Oct. 20, 2025
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:07:05 +0000

Ford logs a multi-model fire risk sweep as VW faces wheel detachments and Hyundai battles sudden braking

By News Desk of ConsumerAffairs
December 8, 2025

Each week, NHTSA recalls roll in, and we round them up in one place. Heres the latest batch for the week of October 20, 2025.

Grabber Recall of the Week

Ford Explorer, Maverick, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair (20252026)
A newly identified engine oil leak may ignite, prompting a sweeping multi-model recall. This defect is documented under NHTSA Recall 25V828 . Fords ongoing fire problems reclaim the spotlight and push the brand closer to an unshakable lead on the Recall Leaderboard.

Other Notable Mentions

  • Wheel-Off Crisis: Volkswagen recalls Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and ID.4 after reports that wheels may detach ( NHTSA 25V835 ).
  • EV Fire Trouble: VW ID.4 also faces a separate recall for a high-voltage battery fire risk ( NHTSA 25V836 ).
  • Sudden Braking Shock: Genesis G90 recalled for unexpected automatic braking ( NHTSA 25V833 ).
  • Bentley Battery Overheating: Bentayga Hybrid recalled for high-voltage battery overheating ( NHTSA 25V811 ) marking Bentleys second high-profile safety recall in as many weeks.
  • Altec Reappears: Multiple equipment issues including an emergency stop that may not work and improperly formed shear plate lockbolts ( NHTSA 25V810 , 25V820 ), making Altec a recurring player in safety equipment recalls.

This Weeks Tally

(Grouped by primary risk category.)

  • Fire hazards: Bentley battery, Ford oil leak, VW ID.4 battery fire, and related overheating risks
  • Trucks & commercial vehicles: Multiple RAM, International, Altec, and Virnig equipment recalls
  • EV / high-voltage battery defects: Bentley Bentayga Hybrid, VW ID.4, Rivian EDV
  • Seat/weld/structural failures: Newell, Foretravel, Volvo XC60 seat issues
  • Labeling/manual compliance: Tiffin, nCamp trailers, Chevy Silverado, Cadillac Vistiq
  • Lighting/display issues: Lincoln Navigator lightbar, RAM instrument panel display
  • Driver-assist/ECU/ADAS faults: Genesis G90 unintended braking, International ECU problems
  • Wheel & attachment failures: VW wheel detach, Virnig bearing lock nut failures

Full Recall Roundup

Fire Hazards

  • Ford Explorer, Maverick, Mustang, Lincoln Corsair (202526): Engine oil leak fire risk ( NHTSA 25V828 ).
  • Volkswagen ID.4 (202324): High-voltage battery may catch fire high-voltage fire risk ( NHTSA 25V836 ).
  • Bentley Bentayga Hybrid (2023): High-voltage battery may overheat fire risk ( NHTSA 25V811 ).
  • Nova Bus LFS (2025): Cooling pump failure may cause loss of drive power and potential overheating ( NHTSA 25V822 ).

Trucks, Commercial & Heavy Vehicles

  • Altec AT Series (201924): Emergency stop may not function safety system inoperative ( NHTSA 25V810 ).
  • International 8600, HV, HX, Lonestar, LT, MV, RH (201626): ECU malfunction may impair safety systems safety impairment ( NHTSA 25V817 ).
  • RAM 1500/2500/3500 (201920): Side curtain air bag inflators may rupture injury risk ( NHTSA 25V824 ).
  • Rivian EDV (202225): Driver seat belt pretensioner cable may become damaged reduced restraint performance ( NHTSA 25V816 ).
  • Virnig TR-HDD-1414, TR-RHDD-1409 (2025): Bearing lock nut failure can cause tire detachment ( NHTSA 25V832 ).

EV / Hybrid / High-Voltage Battery

  • Volkswagen ID.4 (202324): High-voltage battery may catch fire high-voltage fire risk ( NHTSA 25V836 ).
  • Volkswagen ID.4 (2026): Wheel may detach vehicle instability ( NHTSA 25V835 ).
  • Bentley Bentayga Hybrid (2023): High-voltage battery overheating fire risk ( NHTSA 25V811 ).
  • Rivian EDV (202225): Seat belt pretensioner cable defect restraint fault in EV delivery vans ( NHTSA 25V816 ).

Structural, Seating & Weld Failures

  • Newell P50 (2022): Incorrect weld may cause seat failure FMVSS 207/210 noncompliance ( NHTSA 25V812 ).
  • Foretravel Realm (202022), Realm 450 (2022): Incorrect weld may cause seat failure FMVSS 207/210 noncompliance ( NHTSA 25V813 ).
  • Volvo XC60 (2018, 2025); XC60 MHEV (2026): Loose front seats occupant injury risk ( NHTSA 25V818 ).
  • Altec LR8 Series (2025): Improperly formed shear plate lockbolts structural failure risk ( NHTSA 25V820 ).

Labeling, Manuals & Weight Compliance

  • Tiffin Open Trail (2026): Incorrect Cargo Carrying Capacity on OCCC label FMVSS 120 noncompliance ( NHTSA 25V799 ).
  • nCamp TAB 320 / TAB 360 / TAB 400 / TAG (202526): Incorrect weight listed on CCC and Tire and Loading information labels loading misrepresentation ( NHTSA 25V814 ).
  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500/3500 (2026): Missing owners manual FMVSS 225 noncompliance ( NHTSA 25V815 ).
  • Cadillac Vistiq (2026): Missing owners manual FMVSS 225 noncompliance ( NHTSA 25V819 ).

Lighting, Displays & Instrumentation

  • Lincoln Navigator (2025): Inoperative rear lightbar FMVSS 108 violation ( NHTSA 25V831 ).
  • RAM 1500/2500/3500/4500/5500 (202526): Instrument panel display failure FMVSS 102/105/135 noncompliance ( NHTSA 25V826 ).

Driver-Assist, ECU & Braking

  • Genesis G90 (202326): Sudden unintended braking crash risk ( NHTSA 25V833 ).
  • International 8600, HV, HX, Lonestar, LT, MV, RH (201626): ECU may impair safety systems reduced crash protection ( NHTSA 25V817 ).

Wheels, Tires & Attachment Failures

  • Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4 (2026): Wheel may detach from vehicle loss of control ( NHTSA 25V835 ).
  • Virnig TR-HDD-1414, TR-RHDD-1409 (2025): Bearing lock nut may fail tire detachment risk ( NHTSA 25V832 ).

Recall Leaderboard (as of Oct. 20, 2025)

         Ford (6)
    BMW (2)      Porsche (2)
    Contenders: Hyundai (2), Bentley (2), Altec (2), Volkswagen (2)

New debut this week: Volkswagen joins the standings with two major safety recalls one for wheel detachment and another for EV battery fire risk.

Takeaway

Fords engine fires return with force, pushing the automaker far ahead of the field. Volkswagen suffers a tough week with both wheel detachments and EV battery fires, while Hyundai and Bentley continue their streak as rising recall contenders. With sudden braking, loose seats, missing manuals, and structural weld failures across RVs and luxury brands, this weeks Derby brings a wideand worryingrange of safety faults.

Owners should check their VIN at the NHTSA Recall Look-up Tool to confirm whether their vehicle is affected.


Read More ...

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