Gum, patches questioned
For years, nicotine replacement therapies, such as gum and patches, have been touted to help people to stop smoking.
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Don’t be yanked by a yo-yo sale
No one wants to buy a new vehicle only to have the dealer take it back—without returning any money—a few days later, but that’s happening around the country, according to consumer attorney Ian Lyngklip.
Good blood thin at Red Cross?
For the second time in 3 years, American Red Cross had to pay a multimillion-dollar fine for unsafe blood collection and distribution.
Watch out for counterfeit Avastin
Consumers who use Avastin to treat cancer should know that a counterfeit leaked into the U.S. market.
FTC shuts down açai-berry sites
At least six online advertisers that flooded websites with ads for açai-berry products and supplements will pull their ads from the Web, and more advertisers might have to do the same.
Zappos info exposed
Customers of the online retailer Zappos might be vulnerable to identity theft.
Increasing scrutiny on orange juice
Just because a bottle or carton of orange juice says the product is “fresh” or “natural” doesn’t always make it so.
Water bottlers are hit with greenwashing suit
Water bottles that are purported to be biodegradable and recyclable might not be so environmentally friendly after all.
Gluten risk in beauty products
People who have celiac disease should watch for gluten in cosmetics and toiletries as they do in foods, according to a recent study.
Food for pets, disease for humans
Salmonella poisoning long has been associated with eating contaminated foods, but now Food and Drug Administration says you can contract it simply by handling your pet’s food.
Avastin changes
Food and Drug Administration revoked its approval of bevacizumab, which is marketed as Avastin by Roche unit Genentech, to be used as a breast-cancer treatment.
Calling cards dial up trouble
Prepaid calling cards are an easy way for U.S. immigrants to contact family and friends who live in their home country, so it isn’t surprising that immigrants are the primary targets of calling-card scams, says Gus West, who is chairman of The Hispanic Institute.
Chantix users warned
Smokers who are trying to quit might want to consider an alternative treatment if they use varenicline, which is marketed as Chantix by Pfizer.
Crib-mattress risks are put to bed
Parents might blanch at a report that says 72 percent of crib mattresses that are sold in the United States contain chemicals that could be dangerous to their children.
Check your oil
Petroleum Quality Institute of America issued a warning about six motor oils that are distributed at various convenience stores throughout the country.
Triclosan claims are hard to wash away
Manufacturers argue that hand soap that contains triclosan cleans your hands better than do soaps that don’t have it.
CPSC clarifies ban
Manufacturers finally might cut the cord on children’s clothing that features drawstrings.
Supplements even more suspect
The emergence of illegal drugs that end up in stores under the guise of dietary supplements—a practice with which Food and Drug Administration struggles because it lacks resources—should make you wary of supplements.
FDA says Evital suspect
Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers against using a contraceptive pill that’s called Evital based on the suspicion that it’s ineffective.
Avoid solar scams
Consumers should be aware of potential solar-panel-installation scams to avoid being burned.
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