Consumer News: The last day to order from Amazon, Walmart, Target and others if you need gifts by Christmas

Consumer and health advocates have been pushing for the change for years

• FDA moves to allow a modern sunscreen ingredient widely used outside the U.S.

• Bemotrizinol offers stronger UVA and UVB protection with low skin absorption

• Decision could mark first new U.S. sunscreen filter approved in decades

The Food and Drug Administration is proposing to classify bemotrizinol as an active ingredient in over-the-counter sunscreens, a long-awaited step that could finally give U.S. consumers access to more advanced sun protection already used abroad for years.

The proposal is part of the agencys broader effort to modernize the U.S. sunscreen market, which critics say has lagged far behind Europe and other regions in approving newer, more effective ultraviolet filters.

The agency has historically moved too slowly in this area, leaving Americans with fewer options than consumers abroad, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., said in a statement. Were continuing to modernize the regulation of sunscreen and other over-the-counter drug products. Americans deserve timely access to the best safe, effective, and consumer-friendly over-the-counter products available.

Strong broad-spectrum protection

According to the FDAs scientific review, bemotrizinol provides strong broad-spectrum protection against both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays. UVA radiation penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB and is linked to premature aging and skin cancer, including melanoma.

The agency said the ingredient shows very low absorption through the skin and rarely causes irritation factors that have made it a popular sunscreen filter internationally.

If finalized, the proposal would make bemotrizinol the first new active sunscreen ingredient approved for use in the U.S. in decades. The ingredient would be available for adults and children 6 months and older, offering a non-mineral option with stronger UVA protection.

The FDA plans to publish its proposed order in the Federal Register on December 12 and accept public comment for 45 days.

Long push for modern sunscreen options

Consumer and environmental health advocates welcomed the move as a major shift in U.S. sunscreen policy.

For more than 20 years, the Environmental Working Group has urged the FDA to approve newer sunscreen ingredients already used widely in Europe and other countries. The organization has argued that many sunscreens sold in the U.S. provide inadequate UVA protection and rely on outdated filters.

This proposal signals real hope for public health, said David Andrews, Ph.D., acting chief science officer at EWG. Mineral sunscreens are a top choice for consumers, but for those who prefer non-mineral products the ingredient options have been limited.

For years, Americans have been denied access to sunscreen ingredients that offer stronger UVA protection with fewer health concerns, Andrews added. Approving bemotrizinol would finally begin to close the gap between U.S. consumers and the rest of the world.

EWG first formally petitioned the FDA in 2019 to add bemotrizinol and several other modern filters to the list of approved U.S. sunscreen ingredients, citing safety data and superior UVA performance.

Industry request and next steps

Bemotrizinol is already used in sunscreens worldwide but has never been approved in the United States. The FDAs proposed order responds to a request from manufacturer DSM Nutritional Products to allow the ingredient at concentrations of up to 6%.

Modernizing our sunscreen market is long overdue, said Melanie Benesh, EWGs vice president of government affairs. For too long, American families have had to rely on outdated ingredients while likely safer, more effective options were available overseas.

Benesh said the proposal also shows that companies can meet FDA standards for demonstrating both safety and effectiveness of new filters.

Why UVA protection matters

EWG research has repeatedly highlighted weaknesses in U.S. sunscreen performance. In a 2021 analysis of 51 sunscreens with SPF ratings between 15 and 110, EWG scientists found many products delivered only about a quarter of their labeled SPF protection against UVA rays.

Since 2007, the group has published its annual Guide to Sunscreens, which evaluates products for safety, UVA protection and marketing claims. Most top-rated sunscreens in the guide are mineral-based, using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Advocates say bemotrizinol could expand choices for consumers who prefer non-mineral sunscreens while improving overall protection against skin cancer and sun-related aging.

EWG said it will continue pushing for stronger UVA standards, improved transparency and the removal of ineffective or potentially harmful sunscreen ingredients as the FDA considers its next steps.

Researchers say alcohol plays a meaningful role in the development of several cancers

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Even moderate drinking raises cancer risk: A sweeping new review finds that how often and how much Americans drink alcohol directly affects their risk of developing several common cancers.

• Some groups face higher danger: Race, income, existing health conditions, and genetics can make alcohols cancer risks even greater, even at similar or lower levels of drinking.

• Healthy lifestyle choices can help: Following cancer prevention guidelines, including limiting alcohol, is linked to lower cancer risk and better survival.

The holidays are a time of continuous celebration and that can lead to a time when alcohol often flows more freely. Not to be a buzz kill, but new research is offering a sobering reminder: drinking alcohol, even in moderation, can raise the risk of cancer.

A major new analysis from researchers at Florida Atlantic Universitys Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine examined decades of research to better understand how alcohol consumption affects cancer risk in U.S. adults.

The findings confirm what scientists have long suspected but the public often underestimates alcohol plays a meaningful role in the development of several cancers, and the risk increases as drinking increases.

What the researchers found

The research team reviewed 62 studies, involving anywhere from small groups of 80 people to massive populations nearing 100 million participants. Their goal was to see how different drinking patterns mild, moderate, and heavy affect cancer risk, and how factors like obesity, diabetes, and liver disease influence outcomes.

The results were clear: both how often people drink and how much they drink matter. Alcohol consumption was strongly linked to higher risk of several cancers, including:

• Breast

• Colorectal

• Liver

• Oral and throat (laryngeal)

• Esophageal

• Gastric (stomach)

Alcohol didnt just raise the chances of developing cancer it also worsened outcomes. People with alcohol-related liver disease, for example, were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced liver cancer and had lower survival rates.

Risk isnt the same for everyone

One of the most important takeaways is that alcohol-related cancer risk isnt evenly distributed.

Higher levels of drinking were especially dangerous for African Americans, people with genetic risk factors, and those living with obesity or diabetes.

Socioeconomic factors such as income, education, and access to healthcare also played a major role, leaving some lower-income and certain racial or ethnic groups more vulnerable even when they drank the same amount or less than others.

Gender differences emerged as well. Frequent drinking increased cancer risk more clearly in men, while episodic heavy or binge drinking appeared to be particularly risky for women.

Smoking made things worse. Combining alcohol and tobacco significantly amplified cancer risk, although the degree of risk varied by sex and drinking pattern.

Does the type of alcohol matter?

In some cases, yes. The review found that beer and white wine were linked to higher risk for certain cancers, while liquor was not consistently associated with increased risk. However, researchers caution that no form of alcohol can be considered safe when it comes to cancer.

Other factors that strengthened the alcoholcancer link included early age of first drink, family history of cancer, UV exposure (in melanoma risk), hormone use, poor diet, low physical activity, and infections such as hepatitis B or C, HPV, HIV, or H. pylori.

Why alcohol raises cancer risk

Biologically, alcohol affects the body in several harmful ways. It breaks down into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that can damage DNA. Alcohol also disrupts hormone levels, increases oxidative stress, weakens the immune system, and helps other carcinogens enter the body more easily. When combined with chronic illnesses or unhealthy lifestyle habits, these effects can accelerate cancer development.

What can reduce risk?

There is some encouraging news. People who followed American Cancer Society guidelines limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and avoiding smoking had lower cancer risk and mortality.

The researchers say this highlights the importance of viewing cancer prevention as more than just cutting back on drinks. Addressing underlying health conditions, improving diet and activity levels, and reducing social and environmental barriers are all part of lowering long-term risk.

Rates remain near recent lows as the market finds its footing

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose slightly to 6.22% this week but remains below both the year-to-date average of 6.62% and the 6.60% rate seen a year ago.

• Freddie Mac economists say lower rates compared with earlier in the year are helping restore balance, even as affordability challenges persist due to high home prices and limited inventory.

• The 15-year fixed mortgage rate increased to 5.54% but also remains lower than a year ago, offering modest opportunities for some buyers and homeowners who financed at higher rates last year.

Mortgage rates edged slightly higher this week but remain well below their average levels for the year, offering a measure of stability for homebuyers and the broader housing market.

According to Freddie Macs latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.22% as of December 11, up modestly from 6.19% the previous week. Despite the uptick, the rate is notably lower than the 6.62% average recorded so far this year and sits below where rates stood at the same point in 2024, when the 30-year mortgage averaged 6.60%.

Economists say the current rate environment reflects a market that is gradually settling after months of volatility driven by inflation concerns, Federal Reserve policy, and shifting economic data. Sam Khater, Freddie Macs chief economist, said the pullback from higher levels seen earlier in the year has helped restore some equilibrium. With borrowing costs no longer climbing rapidly, buyers and sellers may find it easier to plan and negotiate transactions.

Shorter-term mortgage rates also moved higher this week. The average 15-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to 5.54%, up from 5.44% a week earlier. Even so, that rate remains below its year-ago level of 5.84%, continuing a trend of modest improvement compared with late 2024.

Mixed picture for refinancing

For homeowners considering refinancing, the picture is mixed. While rates are lower than last year, they are still well above the historic lows seen earlier in the decade, limiting the pool of borrowers who can benefit from refinancing into a meaningfully cheaper loan. However, homeowners who took out mortgages during last years peak may find some opportunities, particularly with shorter-term loans.

Homebuyers, meanwhile, are watching rates closely as they weigh affordability against limited housing supply in many markets. Even small changes in mortgage rates can have a noticeable impact on monthly payments, especially given elevated home prices. A rate near 6.2% is unlikely to spark a surge in demand on its own, but it may encourage cautious buyers who had been sidelined by higher borrowing costs to reenter the market.

Looking ahead, analysts expect mortgage rates to continue moving within a relatively narrow range in the near term, tracking economic indicators such as inflation data, labor market trends, and signals from the Federal Reserve about the future path of interest rates.

For now, the combination of slightly lower rates compared with earlier in the year and more predictable week-to-week movements is offering a sense of steadiness that has been largely absent from the housing market in recent years.

Coffee prices surged while cookie prices plunged

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Largest YoY price increase: Whole Bean Coffee surged +$3.17 versus November 2024.

• Largest MoM price increase: Whole Bean Coffee also led month-over-month gains, rising +$0.45 from October.

• Largest overall price drop: Cookies saw the sharpest YoY decline, plunging $3.93 compared with last year.

The November ConsumerAffairs Datasembly Shopping Cart Index shows notable divergences across categories, with premium coffee products experiencing steep increases while packaged snacks and some staples saw declines.

Compared with both last year and last month, inflation pressures remain uneven, highlighting shifting consumer demand and supply dynamics.

The cart of 24 commonly purchased grocery items, tracked by Datasembly in real time, cost $151.10 in November, up from $150.84 in October. The cart totaled $151.77 in November 2024.

Last month, the strongest upward movement came from Whole Bean Coffee, which climbed from $12.47 in November 2024 to $15.64 in November 2025, an increase of $3.17, the largest YoY jump in the dataset. Bacon followed with a moderate increase of +$0.68, continuing its trend as one of the more inflation-sensitive proteins.

On the other end of the spectrum, Cookies posted a dramatic YoY drop, falling from $7.71 to $3.78, a decline of $3.93. Other notable YoY decreases include:

• Salted Butter: $0.85

• American Cheese Singles: $0.28

• Waffles: $0.09

• Tomato ketchup: $0.08

These declines suggest easing pressures in bakery and dairy-related goods, even as coffee and meat remained elevated.

Month-Over-Month: Coffee leads gains, cereal sees sharp drop

Month-over-month changes (October 2025 November 2025) displayed a different pattern, with most items showing stability or slight declines.

Whole Bean Coffee again posted the largest MoM increase, rising +$0.45, reinforcing its position as the most inflation-affected item in both timeframes. Bacon and toilet paper saw relatively small increases of +$0.17 and +$0.12, respectively.

The largest MoM decrease came from Honey Nut Cereal, dropping $1.36, making it the single steepest short-term price correction. Other products with meaningful declines include:

• Cheese: $0.46

• Potato Chips: $0.46

• Peanut Butter: $0.39

• Cola: $0.30

These reductions reflect a modest easing in shelf-stable snack and pantry categories.

Broad stability in household essentials

Several products remained unchanged across both time periods, including Select-A-Size paper towels, whole milk, and mayonnaise, signaling stability in key household staples. Toilet paper and bottled water posted only marginal shifts, suggesting limited volatility in essential consumables.

Overall basket totals

Total basket comparisons show slight movement:

• October 2025 total: $150.84

• November 2024 total: $151.77

• November 2025 total: $151.10

The basket cost rose +$0.26 YoY but fell $0.26 MoM, illustrating an overall flat trend despite individual product volatility.