Consumer News: Americans making little progress in planning for retirement

An investigation finds 25% of packaged food exceeds safe levels

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A joint investigation by Consumer Reports and the food-scanning app Yuka found that one in four popular packaged foods contained additive levels that exceeded safety thresholds established by experts.

• Researchers tested 40 widely consumed products and found elevated levels of controversial additives and contaminants in snacks, drinks, and other processed foods.

• Health experts say consumers can reduce exposure by choosing less-processed foods, reading ingredient labels, and using product-scanning tools to identify additives of concern.

When Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., became Secretary of Health and Human Services, federal regulators began to take a closer look at the health of the U.S. food supply. Among the first steps the agency took was to target certain food dyes.

However, a new investigation by Consumer Reports and Yuka is suggesting that there is a lot more work to do. The results aredrawing attention to the sheer number of additives found in the U.S. food supply and raising concerns about whether current regulations adequately protect consumers.

The investigation examined 40 popular packaged food products sold in the United States and measured levels of eight controversial food additives. Researchers found that approximately 25% of the products contained additive levels that exceeded what experts consider safe daily intake levels over a lifetime. When contaminants were included, more than one-third of the products exceeded recommended thresholds.

A wide range of food products

Among the products cited in the investigation were popular snacks, candies, flavored drinks, and processed foods marketed to both adults and children. Investigators reported finding elevated levels of additives such as synthetic food dyes, preservatives, and other ingredients that have been linked in scientific studies to potential health concerns, including behavioral effects in children, DNA damage, and increased cancer risk.

The findings align with longstanding concerns among food safety advocates about differences between U.S. regulations and those in other countries. Many additives permitted in American foods face stricter limits overseas, while some ingredients allowed in the United States have been banned or heavily restricted in Europe.

Yuka's broader analysis of more than onemillion food products found that foods sold in the United States contain significantly more additives, on average, than comparable products sold in several other developed countries. The company attributes the disparity to a regulatory system that often allows manufacturers considerable discretion in the use of additives.

Consumer advocates have also criticized the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) framework, which allows some ingredients to enter the food supply without formal FDA approval if manufacturers determine they are safe under intended conditions of use.

Food manufacturers and industry groups maintain that approved additives are safe when used within regulatory limits and that additives play important roles in preserving food quality, extending shelf life, and ensuring product consistency.

How consumers can reduce their exposure

While nutritionists emphasize that consumers do not need to eliminate all processed foods from their diets, they recommend several practical steps to reduce exposure to additives:

• Choose whole and minimally processed foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and unprocessed meats typically contain few or no added chemicals.

• Read ingredient labels. Products with shorter ingredient lists often contain fewer additives. Consumers can look for foods that avoid artificial colors, preservatives, and sweeteners when possible.

• Limit highly processed snacks and beverages. Many of the products identified in the investigation fall into the ultra-processed category, which has been associated with poorer health outcomes in multiple studies.

• Diversify food choices. Regularly rotating foods can help reduce repeated exposure to any single additive or contaminant.

The findings arrive amid growing public scrutiny of food additives and increasing pressure on regulators to revisit decades-old safety assessments. Several states have already moved to restrict certain food dyes and additives, while the FDA has announced efforts to phase out several petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply.

For consumers, the investigation serves as a reminder that the most effective way to reduce exposure to additives may be the simplest: building more meals around whole foods and relying less on heavily processed products.

Elon and Oprah arent endorsing those weight-loss pills

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Fraudulent online advertisements have increasingly used the names, images, and fabricated endorsements of celebrities to promote dubious investment schemes, miracle health products, and fake giveaways.

• High-profile figures including Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Kelly Clarkson, and Martin Lewis have publicly warned consumers that they never endorsed the products or services featured in the ads.

• Experts say advances in artificial intelligence and deepfake technology have made celebrity impersonation more convincing, contributing to billions of dollars in consumer losses worldwide.

While its true that some celebrities are influencers, you cant believe every pitch that claims to be a celebrity endorsement. Scroll through social media or browse the web, and youll find many familiar names and faces promoting investment opportunities, health supplements, weight-loss products, and other offers.

The problem is that many of those endorsements are entirely fabricated.

Most recently, debunking site Snopes exposed a ruse in which Bill Gates is hawking an Alzheimers cure. He most definitely is not.

Over the past several years, scammers have exploited the popularity and credibility of celebrities by creating fake advertisements that falsely suggest public figures support products or services they have never used or endorsed. In many cases, the ads use manipulated photographs, fabricated quotes, and, more recently, artificial intelligence-generated videos that appear authentic at first glance.

Elon is everywhere

Among the most frequently targeted celebrities is entrepreneur Elon Musk. Fraudsters have repeatedly used his image and likeness to promote cryptocurrency investments and trading platforms, often promising unrealistic returns. Regulators and consumer advocates have warned that many of these schemes are designed to steal money from unsuspecting investors.

Television personality Oprah Winfrey has also been the subject of numerous fraudulent advertisements. Her name has been attached to weight-loss products, dietary supplements, and miracle cures despite her repeated denials of any involvement. Similar have falsely claimed endorsements from television personalities Dr. Phil and Shark Tank investors.

In the United Kingdom, financial journalist Martin Lewis has become one of the most prominent victims of endorsement fraud. Scammers have repeatedly used his image and fabricated testimonials to promote bogus investment opportunities. Lewis has successfully pursued legal action against technology companies and has been a leading advocate for stronger measures to combat online fraud.

Tom Hanks warns fans

Hollywood actor Tom Hanks publicly warned fans after scammers circulated advertisements featuring an AI-generated version of his likeness promoting products he had never approved.

Likewise, actress and singer Kelly Clarkson has spoken out against fake weight-loss advertisements using manipulated images and fabricated quotes.

Other celebrities whose identities have been exploited include Taylor Swift, Keanu Reeves, Gordon Ramsay, Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, and former television personalities such as Dr. Mehmet Oz. In many cases, the advertisements direct consumers to fake news websites designed to mimic legitimate media outlets, lending an appearance of credibility to false claims.

Familiar pattern

Consumer protection agencies say the often follow a familiar pattern. An advertisement claims that a celebrity has discovered a secret investment strategy, a breakthrough medical treatment, or a revolutionary supplement. Consumers are then encouraged to click through to a website that requests personal information, payment details, or an investment deposit.

The rise of generative artificial intelligence has made the problem significantly worse. Deepfake videos can now convincingly imitate a celebrity's voice and appearance, making it more difficult for consumers to distinguish legitimate endorsements from fraudulent ones. Cybersecurity experts warn that the technology is evolving faster than many platforms' ability to detect and remove deceptive content.

Major technology companies have pledged to strengthen enforcement efforts, but fraudulent advertisements continue to appear across social media platforms, search engines, and websites. Critics argue that scammers can create new accounts and advertisements faster than platforms can remove them.

Consumer advocates recommend that individuals treat celebrity endorsements with skepticism, especially when advertisements promise extraordinary financial returns, rapid weight loss, or miracle health benefits. Experts advise verifying endorsements through official celebrity websites or social media accounts and researching companies independently before making purchases or investments.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape digital advertising, regulators, technology companies, and consumers face growing pressure to combat a form of fraud that increasingly blurs the line between reality and deception.

Buyers defied growing economic uncertainty

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Existing-home sales rose 3.2% in May from both April and a year earlier, reaching the strongest pace since December.

• The median existing-home price climbed to a record $429,300 for the month of May, marking 35 consecutive months of annual price gains.

• Housing affordability improved nationwide as mortgage rates remained below year-ago levels and inventory edged higher.

Despite growing economic uncertainty and rising prices, the U.S. housing market gained significant momentum in May. Sales of existing homes jumped by 3.2% from the previous month and from a year earlier, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.17 million units, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The gain marked the fastest sales pace of 2026 and the highest level since December.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said more Americans are entering the housing market as affordability conditions improve. While mortgage rates have risen modestly in recent months, they remain below levels seen a year ago and are close to long-term historical averages, helping support buyer demand.

The increase in sales was broad-based. Transactions rose in the Northeast, Midwest, and South on a month-over-month basis, while activity in the West was unchanged. Compared with May 2025, sales increased in the Midwest, South, and West but declined in the Northeast.

Inventory also expanded. The number of homes available for sale reached 1.55 million units in May, up 3.3% from April and slightly higher than a year ago. That represented a 4.5-month supply of homes at the current sales pace, unchanged from the previous month.

Home prices are still rising

Home prices continued to rise, though at a more moderate pace. The national median existing-home price for all housing types reached $429,300 in May, up 1.3% from a year earlier and the highest median price ever recorded for the month of May. The increase extended a streak of annual price gains to 35 consecutive months.

Single-family homes accounted for much of the markets growth. Sales in that segment rose 3.5% from April to an annual rate of 3.8 million units, while condominium and co-op sales were unchanged month over month. Median prices increased in both categories.

Affordability measures improved across all four major regions of the country, aided by slower price growth, income gains, and mortgage rates that remained lower than a year ago. NARs Housing Affordability Index rose to 105.6, up from 97.5 a year earlier.

Despite the improvement, economists caution that the housing market remains below pre-pandemic activity levels and continues to face challenges from elevated mortgage rates and high home prices. However, Mays stronger-than-expected sales figures suggest buyers are becoming more active as inventory gradually improves and affordability pressures ease.

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.5% from April

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Consumer prices rose 0.5% in May, pushing the annual inflation rate to 4.2%, the highest level since 2023.

• Energy costs accounted for more than 60% of the monthly increase, led by a 7% jump in gasoline prices.

• Shelter, airline fares, medical care, and communication services also increased, while motor vehicle insurance and household furnishings declined.

Inflation accelerated again in May, as higher energy prices pushed consumer costs sharply higher, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The CPI rose 0.5% in May after increasing 0.6% in April. Over the past 12 months, prices climbed 4.2%, up from a 3.8% annual rate in April.

Energy was by far the biggest driver of inflation. The energy index increased 3.9% during the month and accounted for more than 60% of the overall increase in consumer prices.

Gasoline prices posted one of the largest increases, rising 7.0% on a seasonally adjusted basis in May after increasing 5.4% in April. Fuel oil prices rose another 3.8%, while electricity prices increased 0.6%. Natural gas was one of the few energy categories to decline, falling 0.5%.

Over the past year, energy prices have surged 23.5%, with gasoline prices up 40.5% and fuel oil prices nearly 59% higher than a year ago.

Housing costs add to the pain

Housing costs continued to put upward pressure on inflation. The shelter index rose 0.3% in May, with rents increasing 0.4% and owners' equivalent rent climbing 0.3%. Shelter costs were up 3.4% over the past 12 months.

Food prices increased 0.2% during the month. Grocery prices rose 0.1%, while restaurant prices increased 0.3%.

Among grocery categories, nonalcoholic beverages posted one of the largest gains, increasing 0.6%, as coffee and tea prices rose 1.1%. Cereals and bakery products increased 0.4%, while fruits and vegetables rose 0.2%.

Where prices fell

Some food categories moved lower. Dairy products fell 0.6%, led by a 2.9% decline in cheese prices. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs slipped 0.2%.

Excluding food and energy, so-called core inflation rose a more moderate 0.2% in May and was up 2.9% from a year earlier.

Several service categories recorded notable increases. Airline fares jumped 2.7%, communication services rose 1.3%, personal care costs increased 1.0%, and hospital services climbed 0.7%. Medical care prices overall rose 0.3%.

Not every category became more expensive. Motor vehicle insurance prices declined 1.7% in May, household furnishings and operations fell 0.6%, and new vehicle prices dropped 0.3%.

The report suggests that while underlying inflation remains relatively stable, energy prices have re-emerged as a significant inflationary force, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve's efforts to bring overall inflation closer to its long-term target.