Consumer News: While prices of everything else keep going up, egg prices are still falling

The free app is designed for iPhone 14 and newer models

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A new iPhone app called Food Additive Lens uses artificial intelligence to help consumers and professionals better understand ingredients and additives in food products.

• The free app lets users scan ingredient labels and receive clear explanations about additives within seconds while shopping.

• Built on government and scientific databases, the tool aims to make reliable food information more accessible and combat misinformation.

Because of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Make America Healthy Again, more consumers may be paying closer attention to food labels. Food labels tell you all the ingredients in a food product, but in many cases, its hard to know what the ingredients are and whether they are healthy or not.

However, a newly launched iPhone app is trying to take the mystery out of food labels by putting detailed, science-backed explanations of ingredients directly into shoppers hands.

The free app is called Food Additive Lens. It uses artificial intelligence to analyze ingredient lists and explain the purpose and safety of additives in plain language. Designed for iPhone 14 and newer models, the app allows users to scan a product label in the grocery aisle and receive near-instant insights about whats inside their food.

The tool was developed by Yihang Feng while he was a graduate student at the University of Connecticut, during a summer research assistantship with the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS). The project also led to a journal publication detailing how the app addresses growing consumer concerns about food additives.

Consumers deserve access to clear, credible information about whats in their food, Feng said. Food Additive Lens makes that information available instantly, right when people need it mostwhile theyre shopping.

How it works

After a user snaps a photo of an ingredient label, the apps three-part AI system goes to work. It categorizes the food product, identifies any additives, and explains what each one does whether its preserving freshness, enhancing flavor, or improving texture.

While some food ingredient lists can be hard to understand, the explanations by the app are written in simple, accessible language for everyday shoppers. The app also offers deeper technical and regulatory details for nutrition professionals, researchers, and health care providers.

For those who dont have an iPhone, a web-based version of the tool is also available.

Built on scientific data

Unlike many consumer-facing nutrition tools, Food Additive Lens draws from a wide range of authoritative data sources. Its food classification system was trained on more than 10,000 items from the USDAs Global Branded Food Products Database. It also incorporates information on more than 4,000 FDA-approved additives, using definitions and regulatory descriptions from the Code of Federal Regulations.

Additional data comes from the FDAs Substances Added to Foods Database, helping ensure that the apps explanations are accurate and evidence-based.

Accessing reliable information about food additives has traditionally required consulting scientific journals, regulatory documents, or textbooksresources that are not easily available in a grocery store setting. The app is designed to bridge that gap by delivering expert-backed information in real time.

According to the research behind the app, the project demonstrates how advanced AI can be used for science communication on consumer devices, offering a scalable way to improve transparency and counter food-related misinformation while maintaining user privacy.

Adjusted for inflation, prices were higher in 1980 and 2008

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Todays gas prices feel high, but inflation-adjusted prices were significantly higher during past spikes, especially in 2008 when the $4.11 peak equals roughly $6.25 today.

• Major historical surges occurred in 1974, 1980, and 2008, driven by events like OPEC embargoes, the Iranian Revolution, and oil market speculation.

• Despite sharp spikes, prices eventually declined after each crisis, suggesting todays surge may also be temporary.

The dramatic surge in gasoline prices since the start of the Iran war a little more than a month agohas shocked motorists. Prices at the pump have rarely risen so much in so short a time.

But as for the price, its been in this territory before, and much higher when adjusted for inflation.

In July 2008, as the Great Recession was unfolding in America, the national average price of regular gasoline reached $4.11 per gallon, according to the Energy Information Administrations weekly data.

Just as is the case now, gas prices rose in tandem with a surge in oil prices. But oil prices were not driven up by a shortage, but by speculators who believed an industrial surge by India and China would lead to less oil. That didnt turn out to be the case.

July 2008 was the peak

Monthly EIA data for regular gasoline also showed July 2008 as the peak month at just over $4.06, consistent with a weekly high around $4.11. Contemporary reporting and later summaries likewise cite $4.11 in July 2008 as the previous record national average gas price.

But in todays money, the price would have been much higher. Using standard Consumer Price Index-based inflation, $4.11 in 2008 is roughly $6.20$6.30 per gallon in 2026 dollars. Those figures are based on the change in the Consumer Price Index between 2008 and 2026, which implies a cumulative price increase of about 52% over that period.

In other words, that record 2008 national average of $4.11 per gallon would feel like paying a bit over $6.25 per gallon today in overall purchasing-power terms.

The first surge

The first gas price surge came in 1973-74. In the 1950s, consumers paid about 20 cents a gallon for gas. By 1972, the price was between 30 and 35 cents a gallon. Then, in late 1973, OPEC nations boycotted the U.S., and gas prices shot up to 50 cents and more overnight.

The best national figure for 1974 is an annual average gas price of about 53 cents per gallon, and that is roughly $3.70 per gallon in 2026 dollars. On February 28, 2026, the day of the attack on Iran, the average price in the U.S. was $2.98 a gallon, a relative bargain.

At the end of the 1970s, gas prices spiked again due to a shortage. The 1979 Iranian Revolution resulted in reduced oil production on the world market, sending prices soaring.

Adding to the pain, there were long lines at gas stations and some stations even ran out of gas. Consumers panicked and kept their tanks filled, adding to the shortage.

In 1980, the national average price of regular gas peaked at $1.25 a gallon. While that sounds like a bargain, it wasnt. Adjusted for inflation, that price is closer to $4.70 in todays money.

If theres any good news for todays consumers, after all three oil shocks in 1974, 1980 and 2008 gasoline prices eventually returned to normal levels.

The affected products may contain an undeclared allergen

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Wawa has recalled four 16-oz bottled beverages due to a possible undeclared milk allergen.

• The affected drinks were sold in five states, including Virginia, at a limited number of stores.

• No illnesses have been reported, but consumers with milk allergies are urged to discard the products immediately.

Wawa has issued a voluntary recall of several bottled beverages after discovering they may contain an undeclared milk allergen, according to a notice published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The recall covers 16-ounce bottles of Wawa Iced Tea Lemon, Iced Tea Diet Lemon, Diet Lemonade, and Fruit Punch produced by the Wawa Beverage Company. The products were distributed to a limited number of stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia.

Company officials said the issue stems from a temporary equipment problem that may have introduced milk into beverages that do not list it on the label. The presence of undeclared milk poses a potentially serious risk for people with dairy allergies, who could experience severe or life-threatening reactions if the products are consumed.

Removed from store shelves

Wawa said all affected products have already been removed from store shelves and disposed of. The recall is limited to specific items and locations, and no other Wawa-branded beverages are included.

The recall affects beverages sold across roughly 196 stores, with distribution varying by product. For example, the iced tea lemon variety was sold in more than 100 locations, while other flavors were distributed to smaller numbers of stores.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled drinks, the company and FDA said.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the affected beverages are advised not to drink them and to dispose of the products or contact Wawa for a refund, typically issued as a gift card.

The recall highlights ongoing challenges in food manufacturing, particularly in preventing cross-contact with allergens and ensuring accurate labeling. Milk is one of the major allergens that must be clearly disclosed under federal law due to the risk of severe reactions in sensitive individuals.

Here are some ways to tell

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• One of the telltale signs that your computer has been compromised is unexplained slowdowns and constant background activity even when youre not using your computer.

• Additionally, look out for sudden spikes in internet usage or network activity with no clear cause.

• Pay extra attention if security tools are disabled or strange programs are running that you dont recognize.

One reason are becoming more common and dangerous is bot networks (botnets), doing everything from blasting out millions of spam emails to launching denial of service attacks,designed to shut down a website

Scammers dont have enough computers of their own to accomplish that, so they hijack consumers devices maybe even yours through inadvertent malware downloads. The problem is, it can sometimes be hard to tell if your device is home to a bot, but here are some clues.

Your computer is working when youre not

One of the most common indicators of bot malware is mysterious background activity. If your device feels sluggish even when no programs are open, or your fan runs constantly, it could mean something is using your system resources behind the scenes.

Botnets often rely on infected machines to perform tasks like sending mass emails or participating in coordinated attacks activities that can strain your CPU and internet connection.

Internet usage doesnt add up

If you notice spikes in data usage or constant network activity while your computer is idle, its worth investigating. Many bot-infected machines communicate regularly with remote servers, sending and receiving instructions.

You might see:

• Network lights blinking nonstop.

• Slower internet speeds.

• Unexpected data consumption on your monthly bill.

Programs you dont recognize are running

Take a look at your systems task manager or activity monitor. Unknown processes consuming high resources can be a red flag.

While not every unfamiliar program is malicious, a combination of strange names and heavy usage especially tied to network activity can indicate a problem.

Your browser starts behaving strangely

Bot infections sometimes come bundled with other forms of malware. If your browser:

• Redirects you to unfamiliar websites

• Displays excessive pop-ups

• Installs toolbars or extensions you didnt approve

it could signal that your system has been compromised.

Security protections are turned off

Cybercriminals often disable antivirus software to avoid detection. If your security tools are suddenly turned off or wont update or run properly its a serious warning sign.

Messages are sent without your knowledge

Some botnets use infected computers to send spam or phishing emails. If friends or colleagues report receiving strange messages from you that you didnt send, your device may be infected.

What to do

If you suspect your computer may be part of a botnet:

• Disconnect from the internet immediately to cut off remote access.

• Run a full antivirus and anti-malware scan using trusted software.

• Remove suspicious programs and update your system.

• Change passwords for important accounts preferably from a different, clean device.

Botnet infections are designed to stay hidden, but they often leave behind subtle clues. A single issue may not mean your computer is compromised, but multiple warning signs together could be a sign of trouble.