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New survey finds shoppers are taking broader precautions after recalls

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• 94% of U.S. adults say they are concerned about how frequently food recalls are occurring, according to a new GS1 US survey.

• Two-thirds of consumers say a recall has made them hesitant to buy the same product or brand again, while 67% have avoided an entire food category.

• Confidence in the recall system is slipping, as 80% say recalls effectively protect public health, down from 85% last year.

It seems not a week goes by that there isnt a food recall, due to potential contamination and other safety issues. Today, ConsumerAffairs reported on a pork recall due to a Listeria threat.

The seemingly steady stream of food recalls is having an impact on how Americans shop for groceries, with a new survey suggesting consumers are becoming more cautious about both products and brands involved in food safety incidents.

A GS1 US survey of 1,000 U.S. adults found that 94% are concerned about the frequency of food recalls, up slightly from 93% in 2025. At the same time, confidence that recalls are doing their job has declined. Eighty percent said food recalls are effective at protecting public health and safety, compared with 85% a year ago.

That combination more concern and less confidence appears to be changing shopping behavior.

Sixty-seven percent of consumers said they have avoided an entire category of food after hearing about a recall. For example, a recall involving one type or brand of lettuce may prompt consumers to temporarily stop buying lettuce altogether.

That's a significant increase from 60% who said the same thing in last year's survey. Women appear especially cautious: 71% said they have avoided an entire food category after a recall, compared with 63% of men.

Recalls can damage a brand long after the warning ends

Food companies may also have a difficult time winning customers back after a safety problem.

The survey found that 66% of adults are hesitant to purchase the same product or brand again after a food recall, up from 59% in 2025. And 59% said they have thrown away recalled food even when the recall did not affect their state or region.

However, consumers don't necessarily abandon a brand permanently. Only 9% said they would never purchase the recalled brand again.

Among consumers willing to reconsider, 39% said the amount of time that had passed since the recall would influence their decision, while 39% cited the severity of the contamination. Another 35% said recommendations from government or other authorities would play a role.

The findings suggest that clear and specific recall information could be important not only for protecting consumers but also for preventing shoppers from unnecessarily avoiding safe products.

Consumers want more information

The survey also found that consumers may be willing to pay for greater transparency. Fifty-nine percent said they would spend more on a product that provides detailed product information, up from 57% last year.

GS1 US argues that better product traceability could help provide that information and make recalls more precise.

GS1 US says there is sometimes a challenge in making recalls precise enough to quickly identify which products are affected and which aren't. That distinction can matter during large outbreaks. Consumers sometimes receive warnings involving broad product categories when investigators have not yet identified the exact source, supplier, lot, or geographic distribution of a contaminated food.

Faster tracking is coming

The FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act Food Traceability Rule, commonly known as FSMA Rule 204, is designed to make it easier to follow certain higher-risk foods through the supply chain.

Companies covered by the rule will have to maintain additional records for foods on the FDA's Food Traceability List, including information connected with key points as products move through production and distribution. When requested during an investigation, required traceability information must be provided to the FDA within 24 hours. The compliance date is July 20, 2028.

The goal is to allow investigators to more quickly determine where a contaminated product came from and where it was shipped.

For consumers, that could eventually mean narrower recalls. Instead of being warned to avoid an entire category of food, shoppers could potentially receive information identifying specific brands, production lots, or products from particular locations.

The GS1 US survey suggests that kind of precision could become increasingly important. Consumers still overwhelmingly believe recalls protect them, but their behavior shows that many aren't taking chances when the information is unclear.

And for food companies, a recall may no longer be just a short-term safety issue. It can also become a long-term problem of rebuilding consumer trust.

Repair costs spike at five years, but an automotive expert says a slightly older car with a good history could actually be the smarter buy

• Six years may be the sweet spot: Depreciation tends to level off after year five, making a well-maintained older car a potential bargain.

• Condition matters more than age: Mileage, maintenance history, and a pre-purchase inspection can reveal more than the model year.

• Save money for repairs: Keep at least $1,000 available for maintenance and unexpected repairs after buying.

The conventional wisdom when buying a used car is pretty simple: Buy the newest vehicle you can afford. But that could have you paying more than necessary.

A Bumper analysis of vehicle depreciation and repair costs found that the fifth year of a car's life brings the first significant jump in repair costs, while depreciation tends to level off after that point.

So is buying newer really better?

ConsumerAffairs interviewed Jeffrey N. Ross, an automotive expert at Bumper with more than two decades in the automotive industry, and his advice is don't get too hung up on the number of candles on the car's birthday cake.

A well-maintained 6-year-old vehicle may actually offer a better combination of price, remaining life, and expected repair costs than the newer car sitting next to it.

Here's what Ross says used-car shoppers should look for.

Don't shop by the vehicles age alone

A 6-year-old car isn't automatically a better buy than an 8-year-old one, and a 4-year-old vehicle isn't necessarily the safer financial choice. Things like mileage, condition, and maintenance history often matter more than the age of the vehicle.

"Specific repairs are generally dependent more on mileage and maintenance than on pure vehicle age," Ross told ConsumerAffairs.

A typical 5-year-old vehicle may have around 60,000 miles, according to Ross. That's when buyers can begin encountering worn suspension components and brakes, along with more expensive scheduled maintenance such as transmission service.

By eight years, a typical vehicle may be approaching 100,000 miles, when Ross says repairs can start involving the water pump, air conditioning, and timing belts on vehicles equipped with them.

So instead of asking only "How old is it?" ask: "What maintenance should have been done at this mileage and was it actually done?"

Pro tip: Before looking at a particular model, find its factory maintenance schedule online. If a major service is due at 100,000 miles and the car has 97,000 miles, factor that expense into what you're willing to pay.

Some brands may have considerably more life left

Here's where Bumper's numbers get particularly interesting.

Its analysis found that at around 105,000 miles, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Acura vehicles may have approximately 42% of their expected lifespan remaining.

For Mazda, Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, GMC, Chevrolet, Ford, and Nissan, the estimate was closer to 32%.

That doesn't guarantee a 105,000-mile Toyota will be trouble-free or that another brand won't last much longer. Maintenance and individual vehicle condition can make an enormous difference.

But it illustrates why mileage alone shouldn't automatically scare you away. A higher-mileage car that's been meticulously maintained could be a better purchase than a lower-mileage vehicle whose owner neglected it.

Look for signs the seller knows something you don't

Here's a question worth asking yourself when looking at any used vehicle: Why is this person selling it right now?

Sometimes the answer is completely innocent. Other times, the owner may have just learned that a $3,000 repair is coming.

Ross recommends reviewing the vehicle's history and getting a professional pre-purchase inspection.

But there are clues shoppers can spot themselves.

A suspiciously spotless engine compartment could mean someone cleaned away evidence of fluid leaks. Dark engine oil or transmission fluid can suggest poor maintenance.

And pay attention if the car is already running when you arrive.

Ross says a seller can pre-warm an engine to conceal symptoms that are more noticeable during a cold start, such as timing-chain rattles.

Another potential clue is a sudden end to an otherwise consistent maintenance history. If regular oil changes and tire rotations abruptly stopped, it's worth asking why.

Pro tip: When scheduling the test drive, ask the seller not to start the car before you arrive. You want to see and hear how it behaves from a completely cold start. Then when youre on the test drive, be sure to press every expensive button. Check the A/C at full blast, power seats, windows, locks, cameras, infotainment system, heated seats, sunroof, and every other electronic feature. Small problems can become surprisingly expensive repairs in modern vehicles.

Spend the $150 before you spend $15,000

This may be Ross' most valuable piece of advice. Be sure to get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic.

Ross estimates it'll cost around $150. "The best $150 (ish) a buyer will ever spend!" he said.

A mechanic can look for fluid leaks, worn brakes and suspension, previous collision repairs, trouble codes, and other problems that aren't obvious during a quick test drive.

And don't let a clean vehicle-history report replace an inspection.

A history report can provide valuable information about mileage, ownership, accidents, and documented maintenance. But it can't tell you everything that's mechanically wrong with the car today.

Pro tip: If a seller refuses to let an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, that may tell you everything you need to know. There are plenty of other used cars.

Have $1,000 left after you buy the car

Don't spend every dollar of your used-car budget on the car itself.

Bumper's data found that average repair costs jump about 31% in year give to roughly $760. By year eight, average repair costs reach about $1,079.

For this reason, Ross recommends having at least $1,000 set aside for immediate maintenance or repairs. He even goes a bit further and recommends putting aside another $100 per month moving forward.

If youre buying a luxury or performance vehicle, he recommends an even bigger cushion as parts and labor can be quite a bit more expensive.

So, the takeaway is this, if you have $16,000 available, don't go out and buy a $16,000 car. Instead, consider buying a $15,000 vehicle, or negotiate the price down to $15,000, and keep the remaining $1,000 untouched for possible repairs.

A 6-year-old car may beat a 4-year-old one

This might be the most surprising takeaway from Ross.

Imagine choosing between a more expensive 4-year-old car that's still under warranty and a cheaper 6-year-old version of the same reliable model.

Ross would generally take the six-year-old. "Financially, the 6-year-old car is usually the better overall buy because, on average, a car has reached its depreciation floor after year five," he said.

The newer vehicle's remaining warranty certainly has value, particularly with a luxury model that could be expensive to repair.

But if you're financing the car, there's something else to consider. That warranty could expire long before you've finished making payments, potentially leaving you with both a higher car payment and repair bills.

Ross says opting for the cheaper 6-year-old vehicle and maintaining an emergency repair fund will generally leave a buyer ahead, assuming it's a reliable model with a documented service history.

Pro tip: Its smart to price an insurance policy before you buy. Two similarly priced used cars can have very different insurance costs, often based on factors like repair costs, theft risk, and the vehicles claims history. Also, be sure to get a quote using the actual VIN before signing anything so there wont be any insurance premium surprises down the road.

The used-car sweet spot isn't really an age

Six years may look attractive in the data, but don't turn it into another rigid buying rule.

A poorly maintained 6-year-old car can be a terrible purchase. A meticulously maintained 9-year-old vehicle could be an excellent one.

Instead, look at age + mileage + maintenance history + inspection + price.

Run the VIN and examine the vehicle's history. Compare the odometer against previous mileage records. Look for consistent maintenance. Take a real test drive. And pay an independent mechanic to inspect it.

Most importantly, don't use every dollar you have just to get the newest car possible.

More than 1,500 pounds of ready-to-eat guanciale were distributed in eight states

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini USA are recalling about 1,513 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork guanciale because of possible Listeria contamination.

• The products carry lot number 263311US, a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027, and were distributed in eight states.

• No illnesses have been reported, but consumers and businesses are being urged not to eat, sell or serve the recalled pork.

Consumers, restaurants and retailers are being warned to check their refrigerators and freezers for imported Italian pork that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Prime Line Distributors Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Ferrarini USA Inc., of Hoboken, New Jersey, are recalling approximately 1,513 pounds of ready-to-eat dry-cured pork jowl, commonly known as guanciale, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The pork was produced by Bome SRL in Italy on May 21, 2026, and imported into the United States on various dates in July. Federal inspectors discovered the problem during routine import reinspection testing, when a product sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illness associated with the recalled products.

How to identify the recalled pork

The recall covers several versions of vacuum-packed guanciale sold under the Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini names.

Consumers and businesses should look for lot number 263311US and a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027. The products also bear establishment number IT 1937 L CE inside the Italian inspection mark or on the case label. (

Products include packages labeled:

• PRIME LINE DISTRIBUTORS, INC. GUANCIALE PORK JOWL PRODUCT OF ITALY

• GUANCIALE PORK JOWL PRODUCT OF ITALY, including some packages carrying an additional DOK GUANCIALE label

• FERRARINI GUANCIALE DRY-CURED PORK JOWL

Prime Line products were shipped to food service and retail locations in Florida. Ferrarini products went to distributors and food service locations in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

Because guanciale is frequently supplied to restaurants and specialty food businesses rather than sold exclusively in supermarkets, consumers may also have been served the affected pork in prepared dishes.

Why Listeria is a concern

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a potentially serious infection. Older adults, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, nausea and other flu-like symptoms. More serious infections can involve confusion, loss of balance or convulsions. In pregnant women, infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or infection of the newborn.

One complication with Listeria is that symptoms may not appear immediately. Food Safety News notes that symptoms can develop as long as 70 days after exposure.

What to do

FSIS is concerned that some of the recalled pork may still be in refrigerators or freezers because the products have a May 2027 best-by date.

Consumers who have the affected guanciale should not eat it. It should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Restaurants, retailers and distributors should not sell or serve it. USDA guidance generally advises consumers who discover they have a recalled meat product not to consume it and to return it to the place of purchase.

Anyone who develops symptoms after eating the recalled pork should contact a health care provider and mention the possible exposure to Listeria.

Motorists paid nearly $1 a gallon more than last Labor Day

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The national average price of regular gasoline reached about $4.15 a gallon on Labor Day, the highest price ever recorded for the holiday.

• Drivers paid nearly $1 a gallon more than a year ago, largely because the conflict with Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed crude oil prices higher.

• Some relief could arrive this fall as driving demand declines and cheaper winter-blend gasoline returns, but geopolitical and refinery risks could keep prices elevated.

Americans returning from Labor Day trips encountered a painful reminder at the gas pump: The unofficial end of summer brought the highest gasoline prices ever recorded for the holiday.

AAA reported the national average for regular gasoline at approximately $4.15 a gallon on Labor Day, up from about $3.19 a gallon a year earlier. The previous Labor Day record was about $3.82 a gallon, set in 2012.

While gasoline remains below its all-time national record of roughly $5.02 a gallon reached in June 2022, AAA said this was the first Labor Day when the national average topped $4.

The increase has been particularly noticeable because gasoline normally becomes cheaper as summer winds down. Demand falls after the summer vacation season, and refiners eventually switch from more expensive summer-grade gasoline to cheaper winter blends.

This year, however, those seasonal forces have been overwhelmed by higher oil prices.

The Iran conflict is driving prices

The biggest factor is the continuing conflict involving Iran and the disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil transportation routes.

Crude oil prices have climbed back into the $90-a-barrel range as traders worry about supplies. Since crude oil represents the largest component of the retail price of gasoline, higher crude costs generally work their way quickly to consumers at the pump.

Gasoline inventories have also tightened. The Energy Information Administration reported that U.S. gasoline supplies recently declined to 205.7 million barrels, even as gasoline demand slipped to 8.92 million barrels a day.

Meanwhile, U.S. refineries have been running close to their limits. Reuters reported refinery utilization at about 98%, leaving relatively little capacity to quickly increase fuel production if supplies are disrupted.

A nearly $1 a gallon increase

For consumers, the year-over-year comparison is significant. AAA's national average just before Labor Day was $4.14, compared with $3.19 at the same time last year.

For a driver filling a 15-gallon tank, that difference works out to roughly $14 more per fill-up.

And prices vary widely depending on location. AAA reported averages of $5.78 in California, $5.47 in Washington and $5.41 in Hawaii heading into the holiday. Indiana had the nation's lowest average at $3.44, followed by Texas at $3.69.

Consumers could also feel higher energy costs even if they don't drive very much.

Diesel prices reached a record $5.85 a gallon heading into Labor Day and moved even higher on the holiday. Since diesel powers much of the nation's trucking and freight system, sustained high prices can increase transportation costs for groceries, merchandise and package deliveries.

When could prices come down?

There are reasons to think motorists could see some relief this fall.

Gasoline demand normally drops after Labor Day, and the transition to cheaper winter-grade fuel tends to put downward pressure on prices. Energy Secretary Chris Wright also said gasoline futures suggest prices could be about 35 cents a gallon lower by November.

But that forecast comes with a large caveat.

Continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, further escalation in the Middle East, refinery problems or a major Gulf Coast hurricane could keep gasoline prices elevated or send them higher again.

That means the normal post-Labor Day decline in gasoline prices may depend less on Americans driving fewer miles this year and more on what happens thousands of miles away in global oil markets.