Consumer News: Health groups caution parents about the risks of too much sugar

The supplements were sold online for the last 12 months

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Ambrosia Brands, LLC of New York is recalling certain lots of its Rosabella Moringa Capsules due to possible Salmonella contamination.

• Seven illnesses, including three hospitalizations, have been reported nationwide, and federal health officials are investigating a possible link to the product.

• Consumers are urged to immediately dispose of affected bottles, which were sold online nationwide beginning in February 2025.

Ambrosia Brands is recalling dozens of lots of its Rosabella Moringa Capsules after federal health officials warned the product may be contaminated with Salmonella, a potentially dangerous bacterium.

Salmonella infections can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness, particularly in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with the bacteria often experience fever, diarrhea which may be bloody nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and lead to more severe conditions such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis and arthritis.

Whats being recalled

The recall applies to Rosabella Moringa Capsules sold in 60-count white plastic bottles. The affected products were distributed nationwide through the companys direct-to-consumer website, tryrosabella.com, and through TikTok Shop beginning in February 2025. The company said it is also aware of possible unauthorized third-party sales on platforms such as eBay and Shein.

Although none of the impacted lots were sold directly by Ambrosia Brands on Amazon.com, the company said it does not have authorized resellers on Amazon and advised consumers who purchased the product there to verify lot numbers.

To date, seven illnesses linked to Salmonella contamination have been reported across the United States, including three hospitalizations. According to the company, three of the reported illnesses may be connected to a single product. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a possible connection between the outbreak and Rosabella Moringa Capsules.

Affected expiration dates

The recall covers products with expiration dates ranging from March 2027 through November 2027. Affected lot numbers include:

• Lots 5020591 through 5020596 (exp. 03/2027)

• Lots 5030246 through 5030251 (exp. 04/2027)

• Lots 5040270 through 5040279 (exp. 05/2027)

• Lots 5050053 through 5050056 (exp. 06/2027)

• Lots 5060069 through 5060080 (exp. 07/2027)

• Lots 5080084 through 5080086 (exp. 09/2027)

• Lots 5090107 through 5090118 (exp. 10/2027)

• Lots 5100039 and 5100048 (exp. 11/2027)

All impacted lot numbers begin with 1356 as the SKU and end in -1 or -2 following the lot code. The lot code appears on the bottom of the bottle and is the middle seven digits printed above the expiration date.

No other Ambrosia Brands products are included in the recall.

The company said it has discontinued the use and purchase of raw moringa leaf powder from the supplier associated with the affected lots and is working closely with the FDA as the investigation continues.

Consumers who purchased the recalled capsules are advised not to consume, sell or distribute the product and to dispose of it immediately.

Thousands of Mondays flights have already been cancelled

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Massive disruption to air travel: More than 5,300 U.S. flights have been canceled as a blizzard sweeps the Northeast, according to FlightAware real-time data.

• Major hubs hardest hit: Airports such as JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Boston Logan, and Philadelphia are among the most affected, with widespread delays and cancellations.

• Storm impacts escalate: Blizzard conditions, heavy snow, and travel bans across multiple states have led to grounded flights, closed schools, and restricted travel on roads.

A powerful winter blizzard sweeping across the Northeastern United States has upended air travel along the East Coast this weekend and into Monday, forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights as travel conditions deteriorate.

According to real-time tracking data from FlightAware, air traffic within, into, or out of the United States saw over 5,300 flights canceled by early Monday, reflecting widespread disruptions tied to the storms progression.

Major aviation hubs including New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International, Boston Logan International, and Philadelphia International Airport have borne the brunt of the cancellations and long ground holds as heavy snow and high winds make operations impossible.

Because thousands of connecting flights have been cancelled, the travel interruptions are nationwide, not just in the Northeast. Passengers on scheduled flights today should check with their airline before heading to the airport.

A regional travel standstill

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for tens of millions of residents from New Jersey north through Massachusetts, forecasting up to two feet of snow and damaging winds exceeding 70 mph along some coastal areas.

In New York City, officials implemented a citywide travel ban for non-essential movements and expanded snow-clearing efforts as neighborhoods brace for whiteout conditions. Similar emergency measures and restrictions have been put in place across New Jersey and other Northeast states.

Wider impacts beyond U.S. borders

The storms disruption has also rippled into international travel: airlines such as Emirates and Etihad have canceled and rescheduled flights between the U.S. East Coast and the Middle East, including services to/from New York and Boston, as conditions continue to deteriorate.

Passengers are being warned of continued delays and cancellations throughout the next few days as airlines work to adjust flight schedules and crews, and as communities focus on recovery efforts amid the harsh winter conditions.

The industries offering real part-time perks for remote employees

• Focus on benefit-friendly industries. Health care, banking, utilities, higher ed, and government contractors are most likely to offer part-time remote roles with real perks.

• Target W-2 jobs and hour minimums. Many benefits kick in at 2030 hours per week; 1099 roles rarely include coverage.

• Compare total compensation. Health insurance and a 401(k) match can outweigh a higher hourly wage.

A growing number of employers now offer part-time remote work that include benefits, like health insurance and even retirement contributions.

But finding them takes a little strategy as most companies reserve strong benefits for full-time workers. Plus, part-time roles can vary widely in pay, stability, and other perks.

Here are the sectors where part-time remote jobs, with solid benefits, are most likely to show up and what to consider before you apply.

Health care companies

Health insurers and large health care systems are among the most consistent providers of part-time remote roles with benefits.

Companies like UnitedHealthcare and Humana frequently hire the following part-time employees:

• Customer service representatives
• Claims processors
• Care coordinators
• Telehealth support staff

And the good news is that many of these positions offer access to health insurance, 401(k) plans, and paid time offeven with part-time hours.

Health care companies often operate seven days a week and need flexible employees. This makes them a perfect fit for part-time, remote workers.

Also, another option in this field is medical billing. Many of these jobs are remote and they almost always offer benefits, especially for full-time employees. However, if you have experience, you can absolutely search sites like Indeed and find part-time work with benefits.

Pro tip: Always try to target W-2 roles, not 1099 gigs. This is especially important if health benefits matter, as W-2 positions are much more likely to offer them. Contractor 1099 roles almost never include health insurance, PTO, or retirement matching, no matter how flexible the job seems.

Higher education and online learning

Universities and education platforms increasingly rely on remote staff.

Institutions like Southern New Hampshire University and online education companies like Pearson and Khan Academy hire part-time remote academic advisors, enrollment counselors, tutors, and support staff.

Benefits often include:

• Access to group health plans
• Retirement contributions
• Tuition discounts
• Professional development funding

Education roles are especially appealing for parents, semi-retirees, and professionals looking to transition careers and want to start part-time.

Pro tip: Be sure to ask up-front about the number of weekly hours needed to get benefits. This is because many companies only unlock health insurance or retirement matching once you hit a minimum number of weekly hours (often 2030).

Government and public sector contractors

Federal, state, and local agencies increasingly use remote workers, even for part-time roles.

While not all government jobs are remote, agencies and contractors supporting groups like the IRS and Social Security Administration sometimes hire seasonal or part-time remote staff.

Public-sector jobs are more likely than private companies to offer a solid benefits package, including:

• Retirement plans
• Health coverage options
• Paid leave
• Predictable schedules

The tradeoff on government jobs is that they often have a slower hiring process.

The best way to search for these jobs is to visit USAJOBS, which is the federal governments official job board.

From there, use the Remote job filter when doing your search and be sure to include keywords like "remote," "virtual," "telework eligible," "claims specialist," and "customer service."

Pro tip: Be sure to do the math and calculate your total compensation, not just your hourly pay. For example, a $20/hour job with health insurance and a 401(k) match can be worth more than a $25/hour role with no benefits.

Also, be sure to factor in an employers retirement contribution, insurance subsidies, and even paid leave before deciding which offer is truly better.

Financial services and banking

Banks and financial institutions have expanded remote customer support as well as fraud monitoring teams that often work remotely.

Companies like American Express and Discover are known for hiring remote customer service employees. As long as you have a solid internet connection, they will train you andset you up with a laptopand the accessories that you need.

Some part-time roles include perks like health benefits, performance bonuses, and even retirement contributions.

These jobs often require a background check and prior customer service experience, but they can offer some strong long-term stability.

Nonprofits and mission-driven organizations

Large nonprofits frequently provide benefits to part-time staff, particularly those funded by grants or public money.

A great place to start is with the American Red Cross who hires remote workers (part-time), for customer care, admin support, and volunteer management roles.

Other organizations to consider include the Alzheimers Association who often hires part-time employees for their 24/7 helpline.

Benefits vary, but typically include:

• Health coverage eligibility after a minimum number of weekly hours
• 403(b) retirement plans
• Generous paid leave policies

To compete with higher-paying corporate roles, these employers often offer flexibility (and better benefits) instead of bigger salaries.

Customer service and tech support roles

Some major corporations have embraced hybrid and remote models permanently.

Retailers and tech companies such as Apple and Amazon hire remote support staff, including part-time positions during peak seasons.

Roles include:

• Customer Service Representative
• Customer Support Associate
• Virtual Customer Care Agent
• Chat Support Specialist
• Tech Support Roles
• Technical Support Advisor

Part-time benefits can include:

• Employee discounts
• Limited health care access
• Tuition assistance
• Career advancement pathways

However, be aware that not all part-time roles qualify for full benefits, so always review eligibility requirements carefully.

Pro tip: Be sure to not overlook seasonal roles to start. Companies like Amazon often offer benefits to part-time seasonal hires who work a certain number of hours during peak periods.

Andtheres a good chance a seasonal remote role can convert into a permanent position down the road.

Utilities and energy companies

Electric, gas, water, and broadband companies are known to hire remote customer support employees as well as billing specialists. And many of these roles come with real benefits, even for part-time work.

Companies like PG&E, Duke Energy, and Comcast regularly staff remote teams for:

• Billing support specialists
• Payment arrangement coordinators
• Outage support representatives
• Energy efficiency program advisors
• Customer retention agents

Because utilities operate year-round and are heavily regulated, they often provide more structured benefits than typical retail jobs.

Benefits often include:

• 401(k) with company match
• Health insurance eligibility at 2030 hours per week
• Paid training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Union protections (in some cases)

The best way to find these jobs is to search directly on the companys careers page using the term remote customer care or billing specialist rather than browsing online job boards.

Many of these roles dont get heavily advertised on sites like Indeed. Also, look for positions tied to energy assistance or low-income program support, which are frequently remote.

The front-of-box words that dont mean much

• Natural isnt tightly defined. The Food and Drug Administration offers guidance, but theres no strict, enforceable definition and it says nothing about pesticides or processing.

• Low and light can be misleading. Lower than what? Even legitimate claims like low sodium can hinge on unrealistically small serving sizes.

• Feel-good words arent proof. Terms like green, sustainable, and free range often lack real oversight and may be more marketing than standard.

Most shoppers know to scan the ingredient list and avoid products with stuff you can't pronounce.

But according to Tasting Table, one of the biggest food-label red flags is often printed boldly on the front of the package but its frequently just vague, feel-good language with no clear definition.

Specifically, terms like natural, light, low sugar, green, and sustainable can create the illusion of healthy eating, without guaranteeing much of anything.

Dont assume 'natural'means regulated

The word natural sounds reassuring, but it remains loosely defined.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued guidance suggesting natural means no artificial or synthetic ingredients and no added colors.

However there is no formal, enforceable definition. As Tasting Table points out, it does not address how ingredients were grown, whether pesticides were used, or how processed the product may be.

In short, natural does not automatically mean minimally processed or chemical-free.

Question claims like 'low'and 'light'

Words such as low fat, low sugar, and light are often relative.

Lower than what? A previous version? A competitor? Some undefined benchmark?

Even when a term has a technical definition, such as low sodium, the serving sizes can be small enough to make numbers look way better than they are.

This serves as a great reminder that without context, these labels can be misleading.

Be skeptical of environmental buzzwords

Labels like green, sustainable, free range, and pasture raised may suggest higher standards, but many of these terms lack strict oversight or enforcement.

In actuality, they can signal positive practices, or simply be smart marketing ploys.

Look for certifications with real standards

Not all labels are created equal.

For example, any products marked organic must meet federal requirements. Also, third-party certifications like Fair Trade Certified, overseen by Fair Trade USA, involve defined criteria and a verification process that you can rely on.

When a product carries independent certification, theres at least a measurable standard behind the claim.

The bottom line

I love the way Tasting Table sums it up by saying, Does a company care enough to prove the claims it's making, or does it just want you to swallow what it's selling?

So, the next time you see packaging with the words light or sustainable plastered on the front, its up to us to figure out what that means. Unfortunately, this makes eating a healthier diet a more time-consuming activity when standing in the grocery aisle.