Consumer News: Public health alert issued for raw beef and pork products

Bond yields, which influence mortgage rates, are rising due to new inflation fears

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Mortgage rates jump to 6.38%: Freddie Mac reports the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed sharply last week, marking the highest level in more than six months.

• War-driven inflation fears are the key trigger: The Iran conflict has pushed oil prices higher, fueling expectations of sustained inflation and delaying potential interest rate cuts.

• Bond markets are transmitting the shock: Rising Treasury yields driven by investor anxiety over inflation and geopolitical risk are directly lifting mortgage rates.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.38% last week, according to Freddie Mac, as the economic fallout from the Iran war continues to reverberate through financial markets and into the housing sector.

The increase represents a sharp turnaround from just weeks ago, when rates had dipped below 6%, and underscores how quickly geopolitical events can influence everyday borrowing costs.

At the center of the surge is a familiar economic chain reaction: war drives up oil prices, which feeds inflation fears, which in turn pushes interest rates higher.

Energy shock fuels inflation concerns

The conflict involving Iran has disrupted global energy markets, sending oil prices higher and raising the cost of transportation, manufacturing, and consumer goods.

As inflation expectations rise, investors demand higher returns on government bonds to compensate for the eroding value of future money. That dynamic has been evident in recent weeks, with Treasury yields climbing.

Higher inflation also complicates the Federal Reserves outlook. Instead of cutting rates to support the economy, policymakers are now expected to keep borrowing costs elevated for longer, adding further upward pressure on mortgages.

Bond market moves translate into mortgage costs

Mortgage rates are closely linked to the 10-year Treasury yield, a benchmark that has risen alongside war-driven uncertainty.

As yields increase, lenders pass those higher financing costs on to consumers in the form of more expensive home loans. Analysts say both the benchmark yield and the additional risk premium demanded by investors have risen during the conflict.

The spike in rates is already cooling housing activity during what is typically the busiest spring buying season. Mortgage applications have declined, and affordability challenges are intensifying for prospective buyers.

Even modest increases in rates can significantly raise monthly payments, pricing some buyers out of the market or forcing them to delay purchases.

Economists warn that the trajectory of mortgage rates will depend heavily on how long the conflict and its impact on energy prices and inflation persists. For now, the wars ripple effects are being felt not just at the gas pump, but in the cost of financing a home.

No box, no label, no hassle heres what changed

• Over 2,000 FedEx Office locations havebeen added to Amazon's ever-growingnetwork of return drop points that don't require a box or shipping label.

• Stack returns with errands (groceries, work stops, shopping trips) to save time, gas, and avoid extra runs.

• Always pick the free drop-off option and check eligibility before buying not all items or sellers qualify.

Amazon is expanding one of its most underrated perks: free returns with no box, no tape, and no label. The expansion comes asAmazon returns are now accepted at 2,000+ FedEx Office locations across the country.

The company now has 10,000+ drop-off locations nationwide, which translates to about four out of five shoppers being within five miles of a return point.

Where you can return items now

Amazon has built a massive return network, and it can sometimes be hard to keep track of, so lets set the record straight for 2026.

Here are all the current places you can now make a return:

• FedEx Office (new nationwide rollout)
• Whole Foods Market
• The UPS Store
• Kohls
• Staples

Plus, some Goodwill locations in the Pacific Northwest will now take Amazon returns. Look for this trend to continue to growin 2026.

What changed (and why it matters)

In the past, returning an Amazon item usually meant:

• Finding a box
• Printing a label
• Taping everything up
• Dropping it off

Now you can skip all of that.

Even if a return point is not convenient, and youd rather box it up yourself and drop it off at UPS, its often not an option without starting a live chat and insisting.

Now, for eligible items, you simply:

• Start a return in your account
• Choose a nearby drop-off location
• Get a QR code
• Bring the item (no packaging needed)

Thats it. The store scans it and handles the rest.

Pro tip: Pick your drop-off location based on speed, not necessarily driving distance. In other words, the closest location isnt always going to save you time.

For example:

• Whole Foods Market Returnable items are scanned immediately at the counter.
• Kohls Usually instant or near-instant scan + confirmation.
• UPS Store Depends on staff + backlog. Can sometimes take 24 hours.

Smart ways to use this (and actually save money)

1. Stop overthinking returns but dont abuse them.

This system makes returns incredibly easy, which is great. But it can also lead to over-ordering.

Smart move:

• Only buy multiple sizes or options when you actually need to.
• Return stuff quickly so refunds hit faster and you dont forget.

2. Try to stack your errands.

The real value here is the convenience piece.

Instead of making a separate trip:

• Return items while grocery shopping at Whole Foods.
• Drop off during a workday stop at FedEx Office.
• Combine with a Kohls or Staples run.

This saves not only time and gas, but mental effort, which is a nice perk for busy parents.

3. Always choose the free return option.

Not all return methods are equal and some are not free.

Sometimes Amazon will:

• Offer a paid UPS pickup.
• Show a small fee for certain drop-off locations.

Always scroll and choose the free drop-off option when available.

4. Check eligibility before you buy.

Not every item qualifies for label-free returns.

Before purchasing:

• Look at the return policy.
• Check if free returns are included.

This matters more for:

• Third-party sellers.
• Large or heavy items.

A cocoa shortage is making chocolate bunnies more expensive this year

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Cocoa prices have surged to historic highs due to poor harvests in West Africa.

• Supply chain and energy costs remain elevated, raising production and transport expenses.

• Strong seasonal demand around Easter is allowing manufacturers and retailers to pass on higher prices.

Consumers stocking up on chocolate bunnies and candy eggs this Easter season are encountering an unwelcome surprise: sharply higher prices. Industry analysts say the spike is being driven by a combination of global supply disruptions, rising input costs, and predictable seasonal demand that is amplifying the impact at checkout.

At the center of the surge is cocoa, the key ingredient in chocolate. Prices for cocoa beans have climbed to record levels over the past year, largely due to poor harvests in major producing countries such as the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Weather extremes, plant disease, and aging trees have all contributed to reduced yields, tightening global supply.

In fact, chocolate may be the new gold. Over the weekend, Nestle reported thieves stole 12 tons of Kit Kat bars in Europe, presumably to sell on the black market.

Manufacturers are also grappling with higher costs beyond raw ingredients. Energy prices, packaging materials, and transportation expenses have all risen in recent years. Even as broader inflation has cooled in some sectors, these cost pressures remain elevated for food producers.

Bad timing

That combination is hitting just as demand peaks. Easter is one of the most important sales periods for candy companies, second only to Halloween in the U.S. Retailers often see a surge in purchases of seasonal items such as chocolate eggs, jelly beans, and marshmallow treats.

According to Datasembly, which tracks grocery prices in real time, the price of candy and gum has risen 2.3% since February 15.

Some candy makers have attempted to soften the blow by shrinking package sizes or adjusting product mixes, a strategy often referred to as shrinkflation. Others are leaning more heavily on non-chocolate candies, which are less affected by cocoa prices.

For consumers, however, the impact is clear. Shoppers report paying noticeably more for familiar Easter staples, with some opting to scale back purchases or seek out store brands and discounts.

Industry analysts say relief may not come quickly. Cocoa supply challenges are expected to persist into the next growing cycles, meaning elevated prices could extend beyond the holiday season.

In the meantime, the cost of indulging a sweet tooth especially one shaped like a chocolate bunny may remain higher than usual.

Federal and state health agencies are continuing to investigate

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• At least nine people across three states have been sickened after consuming raw cheddar cheese products from Raw Farm LLC.

• More than half of the cases involve young children, with several hospitalizations and one severe kidney complication reported.

• Federal health officials say the cheese is the likely source of the outbreak, even as the company disputes the findings and has not issued a recall.

At least nine consumers have fallen ill after eating raw cheddar cheese produced by Raw Farm LLC, prompting a multi-state investigation by federal and state health officials and renewed warnings about the risks of unpasteurized dairy products.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a public health alert about the cheese earlier this month.

According to the CDC, thenine people in California, Florida, and Texas have been infected with a dangerous strain of E. coli linked to Raw Farms raw milk cheese. The illnesses date back to September 2025, with cases continuing into early 2026, suggesting a prolonged outbreak.

Health officials say epidemiological evidence including interviews with sickened consumers points to Raw Farms raw cheddar cheese as the likely source. Several of those interviewed reported eating the product before becoming ill.

Children disproportionately affected

A notable aspect of the outbreak is its impact on young children. More than half of those sickened are under the age of five, a group particularly vulnerable to severe complications from E. coli infections.

Three people have been hospitalized, and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. No deaths have been reported so far.

Symptoms of E. coli infection typically include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, and can appear several days after exposure.

No recall despite warnings

Despite the mounting evidence, Raw Farm has declined to issue a voluntary recall of its raw cheddar cheese products. Federal regulators, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have urged the company to pull the products from the market, but the company has disputed the link, noting that product testing has not detected E. coli.

The CDC is advising consumers to avoid eating Raw Farm raw cheese and to thoroughly clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with it.

The outbreak highlights ongoing concerns about raw (unpasteurized) dairy products. Unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk does not undergo a heat treatment process designed to kill harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of contamination.

Raw Farm, one of the largest raw milk producers in the United States, has previously faced scrutiny over food safety issues, including past outbreaks linked to its products.

Investigation ongoing

Federal and state health agencies continue to investigate the outbreak, including additional testing and case tracking. Officials say more cases could emerge as the investigation progresses.

In the meantime, public health experts are urging caution particularly for families with young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems when it comes to consuming raw dairy products.