Consumer News: Leftovers: An overlooked strategy to trim your food bill

Some analysts say the previous promotion turned out to be costly

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Red Lobster is bringing back its popular Endless Shrimp promotion for a limited time starting April 20, after strong customer demand.

• The revived deal includes five shrimp dishes four classics plus a new Marry Me Shrimp option and is available for dine-in only.

• The return comes after the promotion previously contributed to major financial losses and the chains 2024 bankruptcy, prompting a more limited, controlled rollout.

Its baaaack!

Red Lobster is once again offering its signature Endless Shrimp promotion, bringing back the fan-favorite deal for a limited time beginning this week as part of its broader turnaround strategy.

The seafood chain said the promotions return follows sustained demand from customers who have continued to ask for the offering, which has been a staple of the brand for more than two decades.

The promotion was discontinued after the chains 2024 bankruptcy, when some business analysts partly blamed the promotion for the restaurants financial problems.

This latest version features five shrimp options, including longtime menu items such as Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Walts Favorite Shrimp, Shrimp Linguine Alfredo, and Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp, along with a new addition called Marry Me Shrimp, described as shrimp in a tomato cream sauce with a garlic-and-herb topping.

More cautious approach

Unlike previous iterations, the deal is being offered for a limited time and is restricted to dine-in customers only, reflecting a more cautious approach by the company, as it works to balance popularity with profitability.

The promotions return is notable given its role in Red Lobsters recent financial troubles. When Endless Shrimp was made a permanent menu item in 2023, the company underestimated demand and incurred heavy costs, reportedly losing about $11 million in a single quarter.

That misstep may have contributed to Red Lobsters Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2024 and the closure of numerous locations.

Under CEO Damola Adamolekun, the company is now attempting a more disciplined revival of the promotion, positioning it as a limited-time offering designed to drive traffic without repeating past mistakes.

Executives say the move reflects a broader effort to reconnect with customers while stabilizing operations after restructuring. By reintroducing Endless Shrimp in a controlled format, Red Lobster said it is trying to capitalize on nostalgia and demand, while avoiding the financial strain that previously accompanied the deal.

Two Southwest jets came within 500 feet of each other over Nashville

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Two Southwest Airlines jets came within about 500 feet of each other over Nashville, forcing pilots to take evasive action after a controllers instruction put them on converging paths.

• Both crews received automated collision warnings, with one aircraft climbing and the other descending to avoid disaster.

• The incident is the latest in a string of near-misses and aviation safety scares that have heightened scrutiny of U.S. air traffic control.

A routine weekend over Nashville turned tense in seconds.

Two Southwest Airlines jets one climbing out after takeoff, the other circling for a second landing attempt found themselves converging in the same patch of sky. According to early reports, an air traffic controller had inadvertently directed one aircraft into the flight path of the other. What followed was a textbook demonstration of why modern aviation relies heavily on onboard safety systems.

Cockpit alarms blared. The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) issued split-second instructions: one plane climb, the other descend. Pilots reacted immediately. Data later suggested the aircraft passed within roughly 500 feet close enough to qualify as a near midair collision, but far enough to avoid catastrophe.

Passengers likely never grasped just how narrow the margin was. But for aviation regulators, the episode adds to a troubling pattern.

A pattern of close calls

In isolation, the Nashville incident might be dismissed as a rare lapse. But recent months tell a different story.

In July 2025, a Southwest flight departing Burbank made a sudden, dramatic plunge to avoid another aircraft. The maneuver injured two flight attendants and left passengers describing the moment as a free fall, underscoring how violently evasive actions can unfold even when disaster is avoided.

Earlier that year, a Southwest jet approaching Chicago Midway was forced into a last-second go-around when a private jet crossed the runway without authorization, another case where quick pilot response prevented a collision.

And the list goes on: runway incursions, aborted takeoffs, and near misses at major airports have become frequent enough to prompt federal safety summits and renewed calls for better technology and staffing in control towers.

Safety systems and human limits

Aviation experts point out that commercial flying remains extraordinarily safe, in part because of layered safeguards like TCAS. In Nashville, those systems worked exactly as designed, turning a potentially catastrophic error into a close call.

But the underlying issue human error in an increasingly complex airspace remains unresolved. Controllers are managing dense traffic with aging infrastructure, while airlines operate at near-record volumes.

Late last week, the Federal Aviation Administration took proactive action, announcing it would reduce the number of flights in and out of Chicago OHare Airport over the summer, when air travel is expected to surge. The agency said it acted to promote safety and reduce the number of delayed flights.

The product was sold nationwide, in stores and online

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Liquid Blenz Corp. has recalled all lots of its Good Brain Tonic due to a potential botulism risk.

• The product was sold nationwide in stores and online in 16 oz. and 32 oz. bottles.

• No illnesses have been reported, but consumers are urged not to consume the product and to return it for a refund.

Liquid Blenz Corp. is recalling its Good Brain Tonic dietary beverage nationwide after federal officials warned it may pose a serious health risk.

According to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall notice, the Rockville Centre, New Yorkbased company is pulling all codes of the product because of the potential presence of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause botulism, a rare but potentially fatal form of food poisoning.

The affected product was distributed across the United States through retail stores and online sales. It comes in 16-ounce and 32-ounce amber bottles with plastic caps, with UPC codes 860010984468 and 860010984475, respectively.

Botulism is a severe illness that can lead to symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, double vision, and difficulty speaking or swallowing. In more serious cases, it can cause breathing problems, muscle paralysis, and even death if untreated. Health officials warn that anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

The potential contamination was identified through testing conducted by the Cornell Food Venture Center and confirmed by inspectors from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

What to do

Despite the risk, the company said no illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who purchased the product are advised not to consume it and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. The company has also provided a customer contact number for questions related to the recall.

The FDA said the recall is being conducted as a precaution to protect public health while the source of the potential contamination is addressed.

Heres what to look for

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Job are surging, with impersonation of real companies and recruiters becoming the most common tactic.

• The most dangerous now combine fake interviews, realistic onboarding materials, and requests for sensitive data or payments.

• Victims can lose thousands of dollars or have their identities stolen before realizing the job was never real.

With layoffs rising and hiring slowing, scammers are pivoting to use their schemes to victimize people in need of employment. As a result, a growing wave of sophisticated job is targeting job seekers across the United States, exploiting economic uncertainty and the rise of remote work.

Law enforcement officials warn that todays are more convincing than ever, often indistinguishable from legitimate hiring processes until its too late.

According to consumer protection officials, reports of employment-related have climbed sharply in recent years. Fraudsters are adapting quickly, using real company names, cloned websites, and even AI-generated communications to lure victims.

The most common job

One of the most widespread schemes involves fake recruiter outreach. Scammers pose as hiring managers or HR representatives often on LinkedIn, email, or text offering high-paying remote jobs with minimal qualifications. These messages frequently include official-looking logos and signatures, making them appear legitimate.

Another common tactic is the too-good-to-be-true remote job. These listings promise flexible hours and high pay for simple tasks like data entry or administrative work. Once a candidate expresses interest, the scammer quickly moves them through a streamlined interview process, sometimes conducted entirely over messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.

A third prevalent scheme is the reshipping or package mule scam. Victims are hired to receive and forward packages, believing they are working in logistics. In reality, they are unknowingly participating in the redistribution of stolen goods potentially exposing themselves to legal risk.

The most dangerous variants

While many aim for quick cash, some are far more damaging.

The fake check scam remains one of the most financially devastating. Victims are told theyve been hired and sent a check to purchase equipment. After depositing it, they are instructed to send part of the money back to a vendor. The check later bounces, leaving the victim responsible for the full amount.

Equally concerning is the rise of identity theft job . In these cases, scammers collect Social Security numbers, bank details, and copies of identification documents under the guise of onboarding paperwork. This information can then be used for long-term fraud.

More recently, authorities have flagged task , where victims are paid small amounts initially to complete simple online tasks. Over time, they are encouraged to invest their own money to unlock higher earnings only to lose those funds entirely.

Why these are so effective

Experts say the emotional pressure of job searching plays a major role. Scammers create urgency, telling candidates positions must be filled immediately. They also exploit trust by referencing real companies sometimes even impersonating actual employees.

The shift to remote hiring has made it easier for fraudsters to operate. Without in-person interviews, candidates may never question why all communication is digital.

How to protect yourself

Consumer advocates recommend several precautions:

• Verify job offers directly through a companys official website.

• Be wary of interviews conducted only via text or messaging apps.

• Never pay upfront fees or deposit checks from employers.

• Avoid sharing sensitive personal information early in the hiring process.

As job continue to evolve, awareness remains the first line of defense. For many victims, the promise of a new opportunity turns into a costly lesson one that underscores the importance of skepticism in todays digital job market.