Up to five million older Americans are abused every year, and the annual loss by victims of financial abuse is at least $36.5 billion. A guide to help family members and friends of people living in nursing homes and assisted living learn how to prevent and report elder financial abuse is available from the CFPB.
Things are a bit brighter this Halloween. Health officials have given the go-ahead for kids to go trick-or-treating but cautions remain: stick with members of your household, put treats outside, and wear a mask inside or when in outdoor crowded spaces. Things look good here in the Seattle area.
My kids are grown and out of the nest, so all I have to do to get ready for Halloween is to figure out where I put the treats I bought several weeks ago. Last year, no one came to the door, so I had to eat the packaged raisins myself. My daughter scolds me every year about the raisin treats, but I’m stuck in a rut.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the agency’s comprehensive Strategic Roadmap on Monday to confront PFAS contamination nationwide. PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are widely used in industry and consumer products. They’re highly persistent in the environment.
The Food and Drug Administration issued voluntary, short-term sodium reduction targets Wednesday for processed, packaged, and prepared foods. The FDA said limiting sodium in the American diet can help prevent diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Consumer spending on Halloween-related items is expected to reach an all-time high of $10.14 billion, up from $8.05 billion in 2020. About 65 percent of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween this year, up from 58 percent in 2020 and compared to 68 percent in 2019 before the covid-19 pandemic.
PFAS, called “forever chemicals,” are being banned in paper-based food packaging in California under a law signed Tuesday. The new law also requires the disclosure of toxic substances in cookware. It bans paper-based food packaging using PFAS chemicals starting Jan. 1, 2023.
PetSmart is recalling about 100,300 Top Paw Double Diner dog bowls. The gasket on the bottom of the dog bowls can come off, leaving an unfinished edge, posing a risk of cuts and scratches. PetSmart has received three reports of cuts and scratches to consumers’ hands.
A new “key performance indicator” aimed at reducing Salmonella infections in poultry is being introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Consumer advocates have criticized federal meat and poultry inspection rules, saying they’re weak.
