Consumer News: FDA gives certain ZYN nicotine pouches a new marketing claim

New research offers fresh clues about coffee's liver benefits explained

• A large study of more than 354,000 adults found coffee drinkers had lower risks of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver-related death.

• Researchers also examined MRI scans and blood proteins to better understand why coffee may benefit liver health.

• The findings suggest moderate, unsweetened coffee could be a simple part of a liver-healthy lifestyle, though the study does not prove coffee directly prevents disease.

For many people, coffee is simply part of the morning routine. But scientists continue to uncover evidence that the popular beverage may also support long-term health particularly when it comes to the liver.

A new study from Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University offers some of the strongest evidence yet linking coffee consumption with healthier liver outcomes. Rather than looking only at whether coffee drinkers developed liver disease, researchers also searched for biological clues that might help explain the connection.

The study found that people who drank coffee were less likely to develop serious liver conditions, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, over more than a decade of follow-up.

Previous studies suggested that coffee might benefit the liver, but most were smaller or looked at only one piece of the puzzle, researcher Hyunseok Kim, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., said in a news release.

We followed hundreds of thousands of people for more than a decade and looked at their health outcomes along with liver MRI scans and blood protein analyses. Together, those findings help explain the biological mechanisms behind coffees association with better liver health.

The study

To conduct the study, investigators analyzed data from 354,957 participants in the U.K. Biobank who did not have cirrhosis or liver cancer when they entered the study.

Participants reported how much coffee they typically drank, and researchers followed them for a median of 13 years using linked health records to identify new cases of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related deaths.

The researchers didn't stop there. They also examined MRI scans to measure liver fat, iron, and signs of scarring, known as fibrosis. In addition, they analyzed blood samples to study proteins associated with liver health, inflammation and scarring.

By combining long-term health outcomes with imaging and laboratory data, the team aimed to better understand the biological pathways that might explain coffee's association with healthier livers.

What the findings could mean for consumers

Overall, higher coffee consumption was associated with better liver health across several measures.

Compared with people who didn't drink coffee, those who consumed one to two cups per day had lower risks of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related death. The greatest reductions among the groups studied were generally seen in people who drank three to four cups daily, while those drinking five or more cups also experienced lower risks than non-coffee drinkers.

The imaging and blood analyses offered additional clues. Coffee drinkers tended to have lower levels of liver fat, inflammation, iron, and fibrosis, along with protein patterns that suggested healthier liver function.

Researchers also noted that these benefits appeared to be linked to coffee itself rather than caffeine alone, and the paper highlights moderate, unsweetened coffee as the pattern supported by the findings.

It's important to remember that this was an observational study, meaning it found an association rather than proving that coffee directly prevents liver disease. Still, the researchers say the combination of long-term clinical outcomes, imaging results, and biological markers makes this one of the most comprehensive investigations of coffee and liver health to date.

Our findings support moderate coffee consumption for people who already enjoy and tolerate it well, study senior author Ju Dong Yang, M.D. said in the release.

However, we would not recommend that someone begin drinking coffee solely for liver protection based on this study alone. Prevention should continue to focus on maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, exercising regularly, and managing blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

New food date rules aim to reduce waste and clear up confusion

• California has become the first state to ban "sell by" labels on most food packaging.

• Manufacturers will now use standardized labels that distinguish food quality from food safety.

• The change is designed to help consumers make better decisions and reduce unnecessary food waste.

If you've ever stood in front of your refrigerator wondering whether a carton of milk or package of yogurt has actually expired, you're not alone.

For years, shoppers have had to sort through a confusing mix of phrases like "sell by," "best by," and "use by," often without knowing what those dates really mean.

California is trying to change that.

As of July 1, the state has become the first in the nation to ban the use of "sell by" labels on food packaging sold to consumers. Supporters of the new law say the goal is straightforward: make date labels easier to understand so people throw away less perfectly good food.

Using clear, consistent date labels will help reduce confusion about when food is safe to eat, cut down on unnecessary food waste, and make it easier for consumers to make informed decisions, California state Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D), author of the new law, wrote in a post on X.

What the new labels will look like

Instead of multiple date phrases, California now requires manufacturers to use standardized wording that clearly separates food quality from food safety.

Products that are still safe to eat but may not be at their peak quality will carry labels such as "Best if Used By" or "Best if Frozen By." Foods that should not be consumed after a certain date for safety reasons will use "Use By" or "Use or Freeze By."

The law also eliminates consumer-facing "sell by" labels, which were originally intended to help retailers manage inventory rather than tell shoppers when food should be discarded. Supporters say that distinction wasn't always obvious, leading many people to throw away food simply because they assumed the date meant it had expired.

What this means for consumers

For shoppers, the biggest change is clarity. Instead of trying to interpret several different phrases, consumers will increasingly see labels that indicate either product quality or food safety.

The change won't make food last longer, but it may help people feel more confident about whether an item is still worth keeping or eating. Supporters of the law also say clearer labeling could reduce the amount of edible food that ends up in the trash, benefiting both household budgets and food donation efforts.

California's law is the first of its kind, but it's already drawing attention beyond the state. New York has approved similar legislation, and lawmakers in several other states are considering comparable measures, raising the possibility that standardized food date labels could become more common across the country.

And here's why customers keep coming back

• Six new locations: In-N-Out is expanding with six new restaurants across five states while maintaining its slow-growth strategy.

• Customers keep coming back: Fresh ingredients, a simple menu, and affordable prices helped In-N-Out earn Yelp's top burger chain ranking.

• Save on your order: Try the Not-So-Secret Menu, skip combos you don't need, and focus on overall value.

In-N-Out Burger is continuing its slow but steady expansion, announcing six new restaurants across five states while sticking to the strategy that has made it one of America's most beloved fast-food chains.

The California-based burger chain recently earned another major accolade, claiming the No. 1 spot on Yelp's list of America's best burger chains, beating larger competitors like The Habit Burger Grill, Shake Shack, Culver's, Five Guys, McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's. Yelp's rankings were based on more than 119,000 customer reviews across chains with at least 100 locations.

Where In-N-Out is opening next

In-N-Out has listed the following restaurants as "opening soon," although exact grand opening dates haven't been announced.

• Commerce, California - 6233 Telegraph Ave.

• Stockton, California - 10537 Trinity Parkway

• Madison, Tennessee (Nashville area) - 1900 Gallatin Pike North

• San Tan Valley, Arizona - 33375 N. Gary Road

• St. George, Utah - 4643 S. Pioneer Road

• Twin Falls, Idaho - 1965 Blue Lakes Blvd. North

Despite expanding into additional Western and Southern states (including Colorado, Texas, Idaho, and Tennessee) the family-owned chain says it has no plans to expand to the East Coast. Company president Lynsi Snyder has said In-N-Out won't sacrifice quality simply to grow faster.

Why In-N-Out continues to stand out

Unlike many fast-food chains that regularly introduce new sandwiches and limited-time offers, In-N-Out has built its reputation on consistency.

The menu has remained remarkably simple for decades, allowing restaurants to focus on fresh ingredients, fast service, and quality control. That commitment has earned the company a loyal following, with many customers praising not only the burgers but also the value.

Three ways to save money on your next visit

• Order from the "Not-So-Secret Menu." Animal Style burgers and fries, Protein Style burgers wrapped in lettuce, grilled cheese sandwiches, chopped chilis, and extra-toasted buns are all available even though they aren't listed on the main menu.

• Skip combo meals if you don't need everything. If you're not planning to order fries or a drink, purchasing items individually typically cost less than automatically ordering a combo.

• Compare valuenot just price. While many fast-food meals now approach or exceed $15, In-N-Out continues to receive praise from customers who say it delivers one of the best values in fast food thanks to fresh ingredients, generous portions, and relatively affordable prices.

The bottom line

As In-N-Out expands into more communities, new customers will finally get the chance to see what the hype is about.

For longtime fans, the chain's continued success is proof that sticking to fresh ingredients, a simple menu, and reasonable prices can still be a winning formula even as fast-food prices continue to climb.

Officials warn about a fake Veterans Savings Program' postcard scam

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The Department of Veterans Affairs is warning veterans about a new postcard scam falsely promising "extra VA benefits" through a fake "Veterans Savings Program."

• The fraudulent mailers use high-pressure tactics to persuade recipients to call scammers, who then seek Social Security numbers, banking information, and other sensitive personal data.

• VA officials say legitimate benefit changes are never communicated through unsolicited postcards and urge veterans to verify any claims directly with the agency.

Americas military veterans now have another enemy to worry about. Stealthy scammers have targeted veterans with a new mail scam that falsely promises additional government benefits while attempting to steal sensitive personal information.

According to the VA, scammers are sending official-looking postcards promoting a fictitious "Veterans Savings Program." The mailers claim that veterans or their spouses qualify for extra VA benefits or monthly payments, including CHAMPVA, TRICARE, and dental coverage, regardless of their disability rating. The agency says no such program exists.

The postcards often create a sense of urgency, instructing recipients to call a phone number within just a few days to avoid missing out on the supposed benefits. Once veterans call, the scammers typically praise their military service to build trust before requesting personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, and other identifying information.

Dont engage with this enemy

The VA said it is monitoring the scam and urged veterans not to engage with unsolicited contacts or call unverified phone numbers.

Officials emphasized that veterans should never provide personal or financial information over the phone or online to someone whose identity cannot be verified. Legitimate VA communications do not pressure recipients to act immediately or demand sensitive information.

The department said the postcard scheme is part of a broader pattern of fraud targeting veterans. Other common tactics include phishing emails and text messages, callers impersonating VA officials, requests for payment through gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, and scammers attempting to build trust through social media before asking for money or personal information.

What to do

To protect themselves, veterans should ignore suspicious postcards, emails, texts and phone calls, avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages, and verify any questions about benefits by contacting the VA directly at 1-800-827-1000.

The VA also advises veterans to be cautious of unsolicited friend requests or messages on social media and to treat any unexpected claims about new government benefits with skepticism.

Anyone who notices missing VA benefit payments, suspicious changes to direct deposit information, or believes they may have been the victim of fraud should contact the VA immediately. Suspected can also be reported through VSAFE.gov or by calling 1-833-38V-SAFE, the agency said.