Consumer News: ‘Gas station heroin’ raises alarm among health officials

The bars were sold nationwide online and through select retailers

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Spring & Mulberry has expanded a voluntary recall of several chocolate bar flavors because of possible Salmonella contamination.

• The recall now includes eight flavors sold nationwide online and through select retail partners since September 2025.

• No illnesses have been reported, but consumers are urged not to eat the affected products and to seek refunds or replacements.

Spring & Mulberry has expanded its voluntary recall of select chocolate bars after routine testing revealed possible Salmonella contamination in finished products, according to a notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Raleigh, North Carolina-based chocolate company initially recalled only its Mint Leaf chocolate bars on Jan. 12. The company has now broadened the recall to include additional flavors produced during the same time period on the same equipment.

The affected products were sold nationwide online and through select retail stores beginning Sept. 15, 2025. The recalled items can be identified by specific lot numbers printed on the back of the packaging and inner flow wrap.

The expanded recall includes the following products and lot codes:

• Earl Grey (#025258)

• Lavender Rose (#025259, #025260)

• Mango Chili (#025283)

• Mint Leaf (#025255)

• Mixed Berry (#025275, #025281, #025337)

• Mulberry Fennel (#025345)

• Pecan Date (#025261, #025265, #025267, #025268, #025339, #025343)

• Pure Dark Minis (#025273)

What to do

Consumers who purchased the affected products should not eat them, but safely discard them or return them for a refund. According to the company, the contamination risk was first identified after routine third-party testing by a contract manufacturer detected Salmonella in finished products. Spring & Mulberry said the recall was expanded in consultation with the FDA because Salmonella contamination can be intermittent and difficult to detect.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and cause more severe complications.

The company said there have been no confirmed illnesses or adverse health effects linked to the recalled chocolate bars. Consumers are advised not to consume the products and instead discard them or contact the company for a refund or replacement.

Industry analysts say artificial intelligence will soon make PCs more expensive

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Artificial intelligence is increasing demand for memory chips, processors and other components used in both AI data centers and consumer PCs.

• Analysts and manufacturers warn laptop and desktop prices could rise between 10% and 40% over the next two years as shortages worsen.

• Budget computers may be hit hardest, with some low-cost models disappearing entirely as manufacturers prioritize higher-margin devices.

Artificial intelligence may soon make buying a personal computer significantly more expensive, as the global rush to build AI infrastructure strains supplies of the same chips and memory used in everyday laptops and desktops.

Industry analysts say soaring demand from AI data centers is creating shortages of DRAM memory, NAND flash storage and advanced processors, pushing up costs throughout the PC supply chain. Major computer makers, including Dell, Lenovo and HP, have already warned customers about higher prices and tightening inventories.

The trend marks a dramatic reversal from decades of falling computer prices, when improvements in manufacturing steadily made PCs cheaper and more powerful each year. Analysts quoted by CBS News said the cost of computers, software and accessories has recently risen at the fastest sustained pace in decades.

Enormous computing appetite

At the center of the problem is AIs enormous appetite for computing power. Companies including Microsoft, Google, Meta and Amazon are spending billions of dollars building massive AI data centers packed with specialized processors and high-speed memory. Those systems require many of the same components used in consumer electronics.

Manufacturers have increasingly shifted production toward lucrative AI hardware, leaving fewer chips available for traditional consumer products. According to reports from Toms Hardware and The Guardian, memory makers such as Samsung, Micron and SK Hynix are prioritizing high-bandwidth memory used in AI servers instead of lower-cost memory for consumer devices.

Research firms cited by PCWorld said some PC makers are preparing for price increases of 15% to 20%, while other analysts predict mainstream laptop prices could climb as much as 40% if shortages intensify.

Budget computers may see the sharpest rise

Budget computers appear especially vulnerable. The Guardian reported that laptops selling for under $500 could become increasingly rare because rising memory and storage costs leave manufacturers with little profit margin.

Some companies have already begun adjusting product lineups. Apple recently discontinued its lowest-priced Mac mini after memory costs surged, raising the entry price for the product by $200.

The shortages are also reshaping the broader PC market. Motherboard manufacturers, including Asus and MSI, are reportedly facing steep sales declines as consumers postpone upgrades amid higher prices and limited component availability.

Economists say AIs influence extends beyond computers themselves. Goldman Sachs recently identified AI-driven hardware demand as one of several new inflationary pressures affecting consumers, alongside rising electricity use from energy-hungry data centers and higher prices for AI-enabled software services.

Industry experts believe the pressure may continue for years. Several reports project that memory shortages could persist through 2027 as semiconductor manufacturers race to expand production capacity.

For consumers, the result could mean paying substantially more for new PCs while getting fewer upgrades in storage and memory than in previous years. Analysts say buyers may increasingly turn to refurbished machines or delay replacing older systems as the AI boom reshapes the economics of personal computing.

Your junk drawer might be hiding hundreds of dollars

• Old tech can still be worth money: Trade-in programs from Apple, Amazon, Target, Staples, and Best Buy may pay you cash or store credit for old devices.

• Dont throw electronics in the trash: Old devices can create fire and environmental hazards, and its illegal in some states.

• Wipe your data first: Always factory reset phones, tablets, laptops, and smart devices before recycling or donating them.

That old iPhone sitting in your junk drawer? It might still be worth cash. And tossing it in the trash could actually be illegal depending on where you live.

A new CNET survey found that 22% of Americans still throw old electronics in the trash, despite growing concerns about toxic e-waste, lithium-ion battery fires, and the fact that many devices still hold trade-in value. Even more surprising, only 24% of Americans trade in old tech, while nearly threein 10 simply stash old devices around the house collecting dust.

The reality is that old phones, tablets, laptops, gaming systems, and even broken electronics can still have value. And if they dont, there are now easier ways than ever to recycle them safely for free.

Heres how to avoid wasting money, protect your personal data, and responsibly get rid of your old tech.

Why throwing away electronics is a bad idea

Many people still treat old electronics like ordinary trash. But modern gadgets contain lithium-ion batteries and materials that can create environmental and safety hazards.

According to the EPA, improperly discarded batteries can:

• Leak toxic chemicals
• Spark fires in garbage trucks or recycling centers
• Damage landfills
• Pollute groundwater

In fact, some states now ban electronics from regular trash disposal entirely.

And beyond the environmental side, many people are unknowingly throwing away devices that still have real resale or trade-in value.

An old smartphone that feels completely outdated to you could still be worth:

• $50$400 as a trade-in
• Store credit at major retailers
• Cash through resale programs

That makes tossing electronics in the trash one of the easiest ways to literally throw money away.

Start with the easiest win: Trade-in programs

If your device still powers on and works reasonably well, a trade-in is usually the easiest route.

And the biggest advantage is you can avoid dealing with Craigslist scammers, shipping hassles, and flaky Facebook Marketplace buyers.

Apple

Via their online trade-in program, Apple accepts:

• iPhones
• iPads
• Macs
• Apple Watches
• Some Android devices

Eligible devices can earn Apple Gift Cards or instant credit toward a new purchase. Even if your device isnt eligible for credit, theyll still recycle it for you for free.

Pro tip: Apple trade-in values tend to drop sharply right after new iPhone launches in September, so trading in before new models release will get you maximum value.

Amazon

Amazons trade-in program lets shoppers exchange eligible devices for Amazon gift cards, as well as for discounts on new Amazon tech devices.

If the device has no value, Amazon will still let you recycle it for free, via their Amazon recycler program.

This is especially useful for:

• Kindles
• Fire tablets
• Echo devices
• Smart speakers
• Cell phones
• Wireless routers
• Older streaming devices

When you start the trade-in process, youll be asked questions about the tech device and its condition. Youll then be given a preliminary value of the item which you can accept or reject.

If you accept Amazons offer you simply ship it back to them or drop it off at a trade-in location. Once they get the device, theyll verify its condition and pay you via an Amazon gift card credited to your account.

Target

Target quietly offers a surprisingly good online tech trade-in program.

Accepted items include:

• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Laptops
• Video games
• Media players
• Gaming consoles
• Smart speakers
• Wearables

You start the trade-in process by visiting https://tradein.target.com. Youll then search for your device in their trade-in catalog, and answer a few questions about its condition.

If you accept the trade-in quote, theyll provide you with a prepaid USPS shipping label along with further shipping instructions.

In return, youll get paid via a Target eGiftCard that can be used both online and in stores.

Staples

Staples has become one of the easiest places for everyday tech recycling.

The company offers:

• In-store electronics recycling
• Mail-in recycling kits
• Rewards points for eligible recycling activity
• Trade-in gift cards for select devices

This is a great option for older accessories and office tech people tend to forget about, like:

• Printers
• Mobile phones
• Routers
• Old keyboards
• Dead laptops/desktops
• Smart watches
• Tablets

Via their online trade-in program, you simply search for the device you want to trade-in by nameor model number. Then, answer some questions about the device, and theyll give you an estimated value.

Youll then ship it to them using a prepaid UPS shipping label. Once they receive it, youll get paid via a Staples eGift Card after they confirm the condition.

Best Buy (may be the easiest overall option)

For many consumers, Best Buy offers the simplest all-around trade-in solution.

Best Buy accepts a huge range of electronics for trade-in, including:

• TVs
• Computes
• Phones
• Headphones
• Tablets
• Networking devices
• Cables
• Printers
• Gaming consoles

Similar to the other services listed above, you answer some questions about the device's condition, and they give you an estimated value. Youll then get paid via Best Buy Gift Card when the item is received and verified.

Most Best Buy stores also allow customers to walk-in and recycle up to three items per household, per day, for free. This includes items like TVs, small household appliances, and home theaters.

They also offer:

• Mail-in recycling boxes
• Haul-away services for large appliances like refrigerators (This costs $49.99 with replacement product, or $199.99 for standalone haul-away.)

Pro tip: Before hauling a large TV or monitor into Best Buy, be sure to check the stores restrictions online. Some items may carry recycling fees depending on their size and state laws.

Dont forget about donation options

Not every device needs to be recycled immediately.

Many older electronics still work perfectly fine for students, seniors, low-income families, and non-profits.

In particular, organizations like GreenDrop accept donated electronics on behalf of charities, and those donations are typically tax deductible.

You can also check:

• Local schools
• Community centers
• Domestic violence shelters
• Libraries

Older laptops and tablets can still be incredibly useful for basic internet access, homework, or streaming.

The most important step: Wipe your personal data

This is the step many people skip, but its important to wipe your devices.

Before recycling, donating, or selling any device:

• Back up your files and photos
• Sign out of accounts
• Remove saved passwords
• Perform a full factory reset

That includes:

• Phones
• Tablets
• Smartwatches
• Laptops
• Smart home devices

For laptops and desktops, its especially smart to remove browser autofill data, logout of any streaming apps, and disconnect your cloud storage account.

Pro tip: Dont just delete files manually. A proper factory reset is critical because deleted files can sometimes still be recovered in the hands of the wrong person.

Why so many people keep old devices forever

The CNET survey found that 29% of Americans simply keep old tech at home.

Honestly, most people do this for the same reasons:

• They think it may still be useful someday.
• They worry about personal data.
• Recycling feels confusing.
• They dont know what the device is worth.

But those old drawers full of tangled chargers and outdated phones can actually become:

• Fire hazards
• Clutter magnets
• Lost financial opportunities

And the longer you wait, the less your device is worth. That worthless old phone sitting in your drawer might pay for your next Target run, Amazon order, or even a chunk of your next smartphone upgrade.

That 'dream' vacation rental could be fake

• Pay the safe way: Always use a credit card not a debit card, wire transfer, bank draft, or payment app outside the booking platform.

• Vet the listing: Read negative reviews first, be cautious with brand-new listings, Google the address, and reverse image search the photos.

• Watch for red flags: Large upfront deposits, off-platform damage fees, too-perfect reviews, or prices far cheaper than the same property on other sites should make you pause.

Summer travel season is ramping up, and so are vacation rental .

A new investigation from Consumers Checkbook found widespread problems on major vacation rental platforms, including fake listings, stolen deposits, canceled reservations, and travelers struggling to get refunds from sites like Booking.com and Vrbo.

In one case highlighted by the report, a traveler paid more than $1,100 for a Venice apartment listed on Booking.com that didnt actually exist. In another, a family reunion rental booked through Vrbo was canceled after more than $7,000 had already been charged.

The worrisome part is that many of the listings looked completely legitimate and even had positive reviews.

Heres how summer travelers can avoid turning a dream vacation into a financial nightmare.

Always pay with a credit card

This is the single biggest protection travelers have.

The investigation found that travelers who paid with debit cards or bank transfers often struggled to recover their money after being scammed. If you use a credit card you have a much better chance to recover your money via chargebacks and fraud disputes.

Avoid:

• Debit cards
• Wire transfers
• Bank drafts
• Payment apps outside the booking platform

If a host asks you to pay outside the booking platform, that should raise a major red flag in your head.

Be suspicious of listings with few or brand-new reviews

According to the report, fake listings often appear as new properties with very limited review history, and some scammers even create fake reviews to make listings appear legitimate.

Before booking:

• Read the negative reviews first.
• Look for reviews going back several months.
• Be cautious if every review sounds overly perfect.
• Google the propertys address separately.

Pro tip: If something feels off, try copying part of the listing description and plug it into a Google search for those exact words with quotation marks. If you find another listing with the exact same wording, theres a good chance its a scam, and they simply cut and pasted the words into their bogus listing.

Avoid large upfront deposits

Many vacation rentals now require hefty deposits months before you actually travel.

The problem is that if something goes wrong, some travelers are discovering they have very little protection. The investigation found cases where hosts actually canceled reservations, or stopped responding, after collecting the payment(s).

Heres the safer approach:

• Book properties with flexible cancellation policies.
• Avoid listings demanding unusually high deposits.
• Hard pass if youre asked to pay a separate damage deposit outside the booking platform.

As a general rule, if a deal feels overly restrictive or overly complicated, treat that as your sign to walk away.

Scrutinize the photos carefully

When making sure the property is legit, the photos can tell you a lot.

Experts recommend checking for photos of the exterior, multiple room angles, bathroom, and kitchen details.

Too few photos can be a warning sign.

Also, be on the lookout for:

• Blurry images
• Photos that look professionally staged but very generic
• Different image styles that seem pulled from multiple properties

Pro tip:Reverse image search the photos using Google Images. Scammers have been known to steal pictures from legitimate listings.

Compare the same property across multiple sites

Another smart trick to check if the same property appears elsewhere.

Consumers Checkbook found that identical rentals can show up across multiple platforms with completely different prices.

This also helps you:

• Verify the property is real
• Compare cancellation rules
• Spot inconsistencies in reviews or host details

If one listing is dramatically cheaper than everything else, thats often a warning sign.

For travelers, the biggest takeaway is to slow down and verify the listing like you would a major purchase in your life.