Consumer News: Military veterans beware: This scam targets you

The companies disclosed the recall, not federal agencies

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries sold exclusively at Publix stores in eight states have been recalled after being linked to 12 confirmed E. coli illnesses.

• The recall was announced by Chilean supplier Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. and Publix, but no federal public health agency has yet to issue its own recall notice or outbreak announcement.

• Consumers are urged to stop eating the affected blueberries and either discard them or return them for a full refund.

A recall of frozen GreenWise organic blueberries sold exclusively at Publix supermarkets has been issued after the product was linked to a dozen confirmed E. coli illnesses. But the action has come from the manufacturer and retailer rather than a federal health agency.

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., a Chilean grower and packer that markets fruit under the Comfrut brand, announced the recall on July 3 after one lot of its GreenWise Organic IQF (individually quick frozen) Blueberries tested presumptively positive for Escherichia coli O145:H28, a Shiga toxin-producing strain of the bacteria. The recall was subsequently posted by Publix on its corporate recall website.

Here is what bothers me, food safety attorney Bill Marler told Food Safety News in an email. As of this writing, the 12 cases figure comes from the company not from a health authority. I cannot find a matching outbreak notice from either the FDA or the CDC.

As of early Monday, neither the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had publicly announced the recall or issued an outbreak investigation notice, despite reports of illnesses. However, before the end of the day, the FDA posted the recall notice on its website.

Illnesses between May 11 and June 5

According to the recall notice, there have been 12 confirmed cases of stomach illness linked to E. coli O145:H28 infections between May 11 and June 5, 2026. The illnesses prompted the company to investigate after consumers reported digestive problems following consumption of the frozen blueberries.

The affected product was distributed only to Publix stores in:

• Alabama

• Florida

• Georgia

• Kentucky

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

• Tennessee

• Virginia

The recall involves only one product:

• GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries

• 10-ounce package

• Lot code 60401 (also shown as 6040 01 in some notices)

• Best-by date Feb. 9, 2028

No other lot codes or best-by dates are included in the recall.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the affected blueberries are advised not to eat them. Instead, they should throw the product away or return it to a Publix store for a full refund. Publix said the guidance applies to products purchased on or before July 3.

E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) capable of causing severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody, and vomiting. While many healthy adults recover within about a week, infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening complication that can cause kidney failure, particularly in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

The company said it has instructed customers receiving the affected lot to isolate the product, halt distribution, and notify downstream customers. It also said it is working with regulatory authorities while investigating the source of the contamination.

The absence of an FDA or CDC announcement is unusual for a recall associated with confirmed illnesses, although federal agencies sometimes post recalls or outbreak investigations after a manufacturer has already initiated a voluntary recall. As of Monday, however, consumers were relying on notices issued by the supplier and Publix for information about the affected product.

The product poses serious risk to people allergic to milk and eggs

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Reser's Fine Foods is recalling about 5,300 pounds of ready-to-eat pasta salad because some containers may actually contain chicken salad with undeclared egg and milk allergens.

• The recalled product was distributed to foodservice locations in seven states: Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

• Consumers should not eat the product and should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said.

Reser's Fine Foods is recalling approximately 5,300 pounds of a ready-to-eat pasta salad product after discovering that some containers were mislabeled and may actually contain chicken salad with undeclared egg and milk allergens, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The Class I recall the highest threat level involves five-pound plastic tubs labeled "Molly's Kitchen California Style Pasta Salad" with the "USE BY JUL/16/26 430" date printed on the side. The product was produced on June 11, 2026, and bears establishment number P-00874 on the container.

According to the FSIS, the containers labeled as pasta salad may actually contain ready-to-eat chicken salad. Because chicken salad contains egg and milk, consumers with allergies or sensitivities to either ingredient could face a potentially serious health risk if they eat the mislabeled product.

Distributed in seven states

The affected product was shipped to distributors in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia for further distribution to foodservice locations, meaning consumers may have received the product through restaurants, cafeterias, or other foodservice establishments rather than retail grocery stores.

The company discovered the problem after notifying the FSIS that some ready-to-eat chicken salad products had mistakenly been labeled as pasta salad.

As of the recall announcement, no confirmed illnesses or allergic reactions had been reported. However, FSIS advises anyone concerned about a possible reaction to contact a healthcare provider.

What to do

Because the product may still be in refrigerators, the FSIS is urging consumers not to eat it. Instead, the agency says the product should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.

The FSIS said it will conduct routine recall effectiveness checks to verify that customers have been notified and that the affected product has been removed from commerce.

The agency also plans to post retail distribution lists on its recall website if they become available.

The move comes as consumers continue to feel the effects of inflation

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Walmart and Sam's Club are cutting prices on thousands of products this summer, including groceries, grilling essentials, beverages, outdoor items, and seasonal merchandise.

• The retailer says shoppers can expect lower prices on everyday necessities and summer favorites, with discounts available in stores and online, as families contend with higher living costs.

• The initiative comes as affordability remains a top concern for consumers, with Walmart positioning the price cuts as part of its long-standing low-price strategy.

Walmart and Sam's Club are rolling out price cuts on thousands of products this summer, a move aimed at helping shoppers stretch their budgets as they stock up for backyard barbecues, vacations, and back-to-school shopping.

The nation's largest retailer said the savings span groceries, fresh produce, beverages, grilling supplies, outdoor living products, apparel, toys, and other seasonal items. The promotions are available across Walmart stores, Sam's Club locations, and online, the company said.

Among the featured discounts are a roughly 12% reduction in the price of ground beef, a 50% cut in the price of cherries, and a one-third reduction on a 24-pack of Coca-Cola, now priced at $9.97. Walmart also said it is lowering prices on a variety of household goods, clothing, and toys.

The company said the effort is intended to help families make the most of the summer season by reducing the cost of both everyday essentials and seasonal purchases.

Multiple categories are included

Walmart said its signature Rollbacks and Sam's Club savings are designed to provide value across a broad range of categories, from food and beverages to fuel and outdoor entertaining. The retailer noted that customers are continuing to look for ways to save as they manage household budgets.

The announcement comes at a time when affordability remains a key issue for many consumers following several years of elevated inflation. Walmart has increasingly emphasized value pricing to attract shoppers across all income levels, including higher-income households seeking lower prices.

President Donald Trump praised the retailer's move in a social media post Monday, calling on other retailers to follow Walmart's example. Walmart's announcement, however, focused on helping customers save during the summer season and did not reference any role by the administration in the pricing initiative.

Walmart said the lower prices are available now and will continue throughout the summer as shoppers prepare for holidays, vacations, and the upcoming back-to-school season.

Your spending habits are full of clues let AI help you find them

• Connect your finances. ChatGPT can now analyze your spending, subscriptions, and income to deliver personalized money-saving advice.

• Spot easy savings. Use AI to find forgotten subscriptions, spending leaks, and realistic ways to cut your monthly expenses.

• Trust, but verify. AI is a helpful financial coach, but major tax, retirement, and investment decisions still deserve professional advice.

For some time now, many consumers have been comfortable using ChatGPT to build budgets, compare mortgage payments, and explain investing.

Now, it can do something much more personal that can really help you get ahead financially.

OpenAI has begun rolling out a new feature that lets users securely connect their financial accounts to ChatGPT using Plaid, giving the AI access to spending patterns, recurring bills, income, and account balances. The goal is to provide more personalized financial insights instead of generic budgeting advice.

While the feature is initially available to ChatGPT Pro subscribers, it offers a glimpse into where personal finance tools are headed. Here's what it can do, where it can help, and where you should still be cautious.

What ChatGPT can actually see

After securely connecting your accounts through Plaid, ChatGPT can categorize transactions and identify spending patterns across thousands of financial institutions.

Instead of simply asking, "How can I save money?" you can now ask questions based on your actual finances, such as:

• "Where am I spending the most money each month?"

• "How much am I really spending on restaurants?"

• "Which subscriptions am I paying for but rarely use?"

• "How much did I spend on groceries last year?"

• "How much could I save if I cut dining out by 20%?"

The big takeaway here is that instead of AI spewing out some generic personal finance advice, ChatGPT can now answer questions using your actual financial data.

Find subscriptions you've forgotten about

One of the easiest ways to save money is identifying recurring charges, some of which you may have completely forgotten about.

Instead of scrolling through months of statements looking for them, simply ask:

• "List every recurring subscription I pay for."

• "Which subscriptions increased in price this year?"

• "Show me subscriptions I haven't used recently."

Many consumers discover streaming services, apps, gym memberships, and software subscriptions they completely forgot they were paying for.

Pro tip: Use AI to identify recurring bills worth negotiating. After ChatGPT identifies your subscriptions and monthly bills, ask, "Which of these could I realistically lower or negotiate?" Then ask which competitors have lower prices, or current discounts, that you can use as ammo when you make the call.

Spot those sneaky spending leaks

Small purchases often go unnoticed and can easily lead to a blown budget.

To find these leaks, you can ask ChatGPT:

• "Where did I spend the most money that surprised you?"

• "Compare this month's spending to last month's."

• "Which spending category has increased the fastest?"

These questions can quickly reveal habits like frequent coffee runs, impulse Amazon purchases, or food delivery expenses that quietly add up.

Build a realistic savings plan

Instead of using online calculators based on a bunch of averages, ChatGPT can work with your actual cash flow and help you make a savings plan.

To make it happen, try prompts like:

• "How can I save $5,000 in the next year?"

• "How much house can I realistically afford?"

• "Could I realistically increase my retirement contributions by 3%?"

Because it's analyzing your real income and expenses, the recommendations can be much more personalized than those traditional budgeting worksheets youre used to.

Prepare for large purchases

Planning a vacation? Need a new vehicle? Or maybe youre thinking about replacing your old roof?

Ask ChatGPT to estimate how those purchases fit into your budget based on your existing expenses instead of rough guesses.

It can also identify areas where temporarily reducing your spending could help you reach your goal faster, which is very cool.

Review your spending before it becomes a problem

Many people don't notice financial trends until they're already overspending.

Try making it a monthly habit to ask AI to review your spending by asking the following:

"Summarize my spending this month. What changed? What concerns you? What should I improve next month?"

You just might find that this type of regular financial checkup may be more valuable than creating an annual budget that you'll never revisit.

Don't let AI make every financial decision

Despite the new capabilities, it should be said that ChatGPT isn't replacing a certified financial planner.

Financial professionals interviewed by news organizations found the chatbot generally provides solid educational guidance but may overlook important tax issues, estate planning considerations, or investment strategies unique to your situation. OpenAI itself says the tool should complement, not replace, professional financial advice.

Your privacy matters

Before connecting any financial account, make sure youre using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.

Also, be sure to review what information you're sharing and always disconnect accounts you no longer want linked.

Lastly, avoid sharing any account numbers or sensitive personal information in conversations unless absolutely necessary.

Even though the connection uses Plaid (a service already used by many budgeting apps) it's still wise to periodically review which apps have access to your financial accounts.