Consumer News: Apple's first foldable iPhone goes on sale to strong demand and mixed reviews

The affected products were shipped to 22 states

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Natural Grocers is recalling certain 2-pound bags of organic mung beans after customers reported finding sharp glass fragments.

• The affected products may have reached stores in 22 states; no illnesses or injuries have been reported.

• Customers should stop using the recalled beans and discard them or return them for a refund or credit.

Natural Grocers parent company, Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, announced the recall Oct. 22, warning that glass in the beans could injure consumers. Potential injuries include damaged teeth, cuts to the mouth and throat, and intestinal perforation, according to the company announcement posted by the FDA.

The recalled beans come in clear, 2-pound plastic bags bearing UPC 000080112600. Affected pack dates are 26-160, 26-173, 26-196, 26-224 and 26-258, printed in the labels lower-left corner.

Where they were shipped

The affected products were distributed in the following states:

• Arkansas

• Arizona

• Colorado

• Iowa

• Idaho

• Kansas

• Louisiana

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Montana

• North Dakota

• Nebraska

• New Mexico

• Nevada

• Oklahoma

• Oregon

• South Dakota

• Texas

• Utah

• Washington

• Wisconsin

• Wyoming

What to do

The affected lots began shipping June 10, 2026. Customers should check their packages and immediately stop using any that match the recall information.

Consumers can discard the beans or return them for a full refund or credit. Questions can be directed to 303-226-1434, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain time, or media@naturalgrocers.com. FDA

Family coverage costs employees an average of about $623 a month

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Workers annual contributions for family health insurance rose 9% in 2026, reaching an average of $7,471.

• Total family premiums, including employers payments, averaged $28,303 increasing faster than wages and inflation.

• Employees at smaller businesses face substantially higher family premium contributions and deductibles than those at larger firms.

Americans who get health insurance through work are seeing more of their paychecks go toward coverage, according to KFFs (Kaiser Family Foundation) 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey.

Workers contributed an average of $7,471 toward family premiums this year, an increase of $621 from 2025. Including the employers portion, annual family premiums reached $28,303, up 5%. That exceeded wage growth of 3.7% and general inflation of 2.7% over the comparison period.

The employee contribution works out to roughly $623 a month before deductibles, copayments and other charges for using medical services.

The burden is particularly heavy at smaller businesses. Workers at firms with 10 to 199 employees contributed an average of $9,687 annually for family coverage, compared with $6,840 at larger employers. That is a difference of nearly $2,850 a year.

Passing on rising costs

Employers are responding to rising expenses by shifting some costs to employees. Among firms with at least 200 workers that offer health benefits, 44% increased workers share of premiums in response to projected cost increases. Another 21% increased deductibles or other cost sharing for most services.

Premiums are only part of the financial exposure. Among workers whose individual coverage includes a general annual deductible, the average deductible was $1,955. At smaller firms, it averaged $2,624, compared with $1,772 at larger firms.

Overall, 38% of covered workers were enrolled in plans with individual deductibles of at least $2,000.

The survey also found limited coverage for GLP-1 medications prescribed primarily for weight loss. Among employers with at least 200 workers offering health benefits, 18% covered those drugs. Of those covering them, 40% required participation in a lifestyle program or meetings with a dietitian, case manager or therapist.

Its wise to shop around

For workers reviewing benefits during open enrollment, the findings underscore the value of comparing total potential spending. A lower payroll deduction can come with a larger deductible or higher charges when care is needed.

Employees can use each plans benefit summary to compare premiums, deductibles, prescription coverage and out-of-pocket limits, while checking whether their doctors and hospitals participate. Couples with access to two workplace plans should also compare the cost of covering everyone together with enrolling separately.

KFFs survey included 1,937 interviews with private and nonfederal public employers. Employer-sponsored insurance covers almost 157 million Americans younger than 65.

The retreat is uneven, with some companies just dropping certain counties

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Major insurers, including UnitedHealthcare and Humana, are reducing their Medicare Advantage coverage areas for 2027, while two smaller insurers are leaving the general-enrollment Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan market entirely.

• Residents of 193 U.S. counties will have no Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage available for general enrollment in 2027, up from 123 counties in 2026.

• Rising medical costs and profitability concerns are driving the retreat, forcing some retirees to find new coverage during Medicare Open Enrollment, which runs through December 7.

Millions of Americans have turned to Medicare Advantage as an alternative to traditional Medicare, attracted by low premiums and extra benefits such as dental, vision and hearing coverage. But for 2027, some of the nation's largest health insurers are scaling back their participation, leaving seniors in certain communities with fewer choices.

A new analysis by health policy research organization KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) shows that insurers are withdrawing from hundreds of counties, with some companies eliminating their general-enrollment Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans altogether.

The pullback is particularly significant in rural communities, where Medicare Advantage choices were already limited.

According to KFF, 193 counties will have no Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans available for general enrollment next year, compared with 123 counties in 2026. About 638,000 Medicare beneficiaries live in those counties, although not all are currently enrolled in Medicare Advantage.

The changes don't mean Medicare Advantage is disappearing. In fact, most beneficiaries will still have multiple plans to choose from. But the departures illustrate growing financial pressure on a program that has become an increasingly important part of America's health insurance system.

Which companies are pulling back?

KFF's analysis of federal Medicare plan data identifies several major insurers making significant changes for 2027.

UnitedHealth Group, the nation's largest Medicare Advantage insurer, is withdrawing its Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans from 228 counties while entering nine new counties.

Humana, another dominant Medicare Advantage provider, is leaving 62 counties and entering four.

Other insurers are making even larger geographic reductions:

• Health Care Service Corporation, which operates several Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, is exiting 498 counties.

• Centene, the parent company of Wellcare, is exiting 359 counties while entering 15.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is exiting 177 counties and entering one.

• Elevance Health is withdrawing from 66 counties while expanding into 10.

Two companies, Clear Spring Health's parent Group 1001 and Molina Healthcare, are leaving the general-enrollment Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan market entirely. Molina will continue offering certain Special Needs Plans.

The departures do not necessarily mean these companies are abandoning Medicare Advantage altogether. Many are concentrating on markets where they believe they can operate profitably.

Meanwhile, some insurers are expanding. Devoted Health is entering 342 additional counties, demonstrating that companies have different assessments of the program's financial opportunities.

Why are insurers pulling out?

The biggest reason appears to be financial.

Medicare Advantage plans receive payments from the federal government to provide Medicare-covered services through private insurance networks. Insurers are responsible for managing the costs of medical care while meeting federal requirements.

But several developments have made that business more challenging.

Medical spending has increased as older Americans use more healthcare services. Prescription drug expenses have also put pressure on insurers, while changes in Medicare payment policies and quality ratings can affect how much companies receive from the government.

Insurers are also adjusting to changes in the Medicare prescription drug program that shift some financial responsibilities.

In Minnesota, where several insurers are withdrawing from numerous counties, industry representatives have pointed to rising pharmacy expenses, increased medical utilization and inadequate reimbursement relative to costs.

The result is a reassessment of markets where companies believe they can no longer earn acceptable returns.

Rather than withdrawing from Medicare Advantage nationwide, insurers are increasingly selecting the counties and populations they believe they can serve sustainably.

Federal officials say the program remains stable

Despite the withdrawals, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says Medicare Advantage remains widely available.

The agency projects that more than 99% of Medicare beneficiaries will have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2027, while 97% will have at least 10 choices.

CMS also projects that the average monthly Medicare Advantage premium will decline from $14.37 in 2026 to $12 in 2027.

The total number of Medicare Advantage plans nationwide is expected to remain relatively stable, declining from 5,553 to approximately 5,532.

However, those national figures can obscure significant local differences.

Uneven availability of plans

KFF found that the average beneficiary will have 28 Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans available in 2027. But residents of some counties will have dozens of choices, while others will have none.

That makes a beneficiary's ZIP code increasingly important when evaluating Medicare coverage.

What happens if your Medicare Advantage plan disappears?

For beneficiaries whose plans are being discontinued, the immediate concern is maintaining uninterrupted healthcare coverage.

Medicare Advantage insurers generally notify members when their coverage will not be renewed for the following year.

Affected beneficiaries can choose another Medicare Advantage plan, if one is available, or return to Original Medicare.

Targets holiday meal deal includes turkey and classic sides, plus new affordable options for shoppers who want to mix things up

• Targets $30 Thanksgiving meal is designed to feed six people, keeping the cost at $5 per person.

• Shoppers can find Good & Gather frozen turkey for 79 cents per pound, along with new appetizers, sides, and desserts.

• Nearly 60 new food and beverage items and affordable seasonal decor give shoppers more ways to personalize their holiday celebrations.

Thanksgiving dinner doesn't have to mean spending a fortune at the grocery store.

Target is bringing back its budget-friendly holiday offerings for 2026, including a $30 meal package designed to feed six people and a selection of new products for shoppers looking to add something different to their holiday spread.

The retailer is highlighting a mix of traditional Thanksgiving staples, new food options, and seasonal finds for the home. Target also cited a YouGov survey showing that seven in 10 Americans value Thanksgiving food traditions, while nearly half of those celebrating plan to put their own spin on a classic recipe this year.

"Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving are such joyful moments for our guests, and Target is making it easy and budget-friendly for them to plan meals that include plenty of familiar favorites plus some of the latest food trends," John Conlin, senior vice president of merchandising, food and beverage, Target, said in a news release.

"From exciting new flavors, to elevated takes on classics and convenient shortcuts to make meal prep a breeze, we're helping busy families celebrate the season with the fresh finds and value they count on from Target."

What's included in Target's Thanksgiving deals?

Target's $30 Thanksgiving meal includes nine items, starting with a Butterball whole young turkey weighing up to 10 pounds. The package also features russet potatoes, jellied cranberry sauce, canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, French-fried onions, turkey stuffing mix, turkey gravy, and two take-and-bake baguettes.

For shoppers who prefer to build their own menu, Good & Gather frozen turkey will return at 79 cents per pound beginning in November. Target is also expanding its selection of $5 sides, pies, appetizers and wine, with limited-time offers running throughout the month.

New food options include mashed sweet potatoes, Parmesan-topped roasted vegetables, and Favorite Day's Apple Caramel Crumb pie. The Good & Gather lineup will also feature more than 10 new frozen appetizers, including blueberry and Brie cheese sticks and feta cheese and honey bites.

Beyond the food, shoppers can browse more than 200 new Threshold kitchen items, seasonal table decorations starting at $5, and cozy apparel, including fleece starting at $10.

What this means for shoppers

Target's Thanksgiving lineup gives shoppers a few different ways to approach holiday meal planning. Those looking for a straightforward dinner can start with the $30 package, while people who prefer homemade dishes or more variety can choose individual ingredients and try some of the new offerings.

The $5-per-person meal price may also help households plan their grocery spending ahead of the holiday. However, shoppers should keep in mind that the package includes specific ingredients rather than every possible part of a Thanksgiving feast, so additional purchases may be necessary depending on their guest list and menu.

The advertised prices are before tax and are valid from November 8 through November 29, 2026. The offer is not available in Alaska or Hawaii. Checking prices and availability before shopping can help consumers decide which options best fit their holiday plans.