Consumer News & Alerts

June 11, 2007

PETS & PETROL
Besides being our loyal companions, pets might be said to be our canaries in the coalmine -- what makes them sick may afflict us next. Similarly, the price of a tank of gas affects the health of our economy. The news on both fronts remains somewhat ominous. Take for example ...

PAIN KILLER IN PET FOOD
A Texas lab has found dangerous levels of acetaminophen in dog and cat food. The lab tested more than a thousand samples of different pet foods for the past month. In more than two dozen samples, the lab discovered either cyanuric acid or acetaminophen in the foods. The active ingredient in Tylenol, the drug could make dogs sick and could kill cats quickly. How it got there, no one knows.

Recalls of pet food continue. The latest is a batch of Ol' Roy Dog Food, possibly contaminated with salmonella.

Speaking of pets, the uproar over pet food poisonings has reminded us how important pets are in our daily lives, so we've added a new feature: "A Breed Apart," by Gina Spadafori. Topics this week include:

• Are Your Pets Disaster-Ready? With the hurricane season underway, it's time to review your disaster planning, including pet care.

• On the Move: Traveling With Your Pet It can be done but it takes planning and attention to detail.

• Harmony at Home Dogs and cats can live together peacefully, if they're properly introduced.

In the human arena, a recall of United Beef has been expanded. The beef, possibly contaminated with E. coli was sold throughout the West.

GAS PRICES, CONSUMER CONFIDENCE SINK
Gas prices have declined slightly over the last week but so has consumer confidence. Consumers say the $3-per-gallon fill-ups are taking a toll on their budgets and retailers, including Wal-Mart, blamed disappointing May sales on high prices at the pump. The oil industry, which not long ago said it was working full tilt, now says it's reluctant to add refineries with Congress making election-year noises.

Credit Card Debt Ebbs Studies find consumers are borrowing less on their credit cards, and even paying down their outstanding debt. Does this mean Americans are becoming more frugal? Or is it a sign that "exploding" mortgages and high gas prices are simply taking every penny consumers can rub together? Or is it just another sign that consumers are losing confidence in the economy?

Among the studies they're reading on Capitol Hill is one that finds voters want action on mileage standards. The survey found 78 percent of likely 2008 voters want Congress to raise the mile-per-gallon requirement to 40 mpg by 2010 rather than waiting to reach a more modest goal by 2018. Another study found that achieving a 35 mpg goal would quickly produce savings that would more than offset the higher cost of more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Food Prices Headed Higher? The higher gas prices are reverberating through the economy, often in unexpected ways. Economists are warning that the price of food is being pushed up by the rising demand for biofuel -- ethanol, in other words. It's pushing up the cost of grain. One result: smaller cereal box, higher price. Another result: more expensive cattle feed, higher steak prices.

HONDA DROPS A HYBRID
Honda's Accord hybrid was trounced by Toyota's Prius and has been sent to the showers. But Honda promises it has new hybrids in the works. Hybrid-hyping Toyota, surprisingly, has teamed up with Detroit to sponsor an ad blitz opposing Congressional action to require better fuel economy. Meanwhile, longtime owners of Toyota's Prius are finding the odd little car doesn't age very well. Electrical and drivetrain problems are causing problems as the cars age.

In other automotive notes ...

• Ford Gets a Boost Ford models did well in the latest J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, a much-needed shot in the arm for the ailing automaker. Of course, many of the most vexing problems aren't immediately apparent, so we're not quite certain how valuable this survey really is.

• Jeep Wrangler Stalling Problem The feds are investigating consumer complaints that the Jeep stalls without warning.

DANGEROUS COMPANY
Spend much time in Washington and you soon tire of hearing government types complain that they are overworked, underpaid, underappreciated, etc. What you don't hear much anymore, now that the entire town is hunkered down behind concrete barriers thinly disguised as planters, is how unpleasant it is having to deal with the common folk. Reprising that theme the other day was Nancy Nord, the acting chair of the beleagured U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Ms. Nord declined to appear before a House panel when she learned that consumer advocates would also be testifying. Normally, potentates such as her Nordship are shielded from such indignity.

Staff Alert Ms. Nord's safety agency is currently hampered by the lack of a quorum, Bush strawman nominee Michael Baroody having withdrawn from contention for the post he didn't want in the first place. Unable to take official action, the agency staff took it upon itself to issue a warning to parents about a particularly dangerous ATV from China. Children using the Kazuma Meerkat 50 are at severe risk of injury and death, the staff members said.

WII INJURIES RISE
Nintendo's Wii system gets high marks for its emphasis on non-violent games and for giving kids the chance to move around a little while playing. But some players are putting a little too much arm into it and winding up with what can only be called sports injuries, according to a team of researchers at Middle Tennessee State University. Boxing, tennis and bowling games seem to be the biggest offenders.

More health news ...

• Consumer Group Scolds Nickelodeon Too much promotion of unhealthy foods, says Center for Science in the Public Interest.

• "TIA" Is Nothing to Ignore "Little strokes" often precede big ones and need immediate attention, reports the Healthy Geezer.

• Statins: Safe, Well Tolerated and Effective Study finds little downside in popular cholesterol reducers.

• Mississippi Gets Worst Rating in Physician Oversight Alaska ranked best by Public Citizen.

SCAMS & OUTRAGES

• Columbia House Consumers complain about billing discrepancies, difficulty canceling, bogus subscriptions.

• Anti-Wrinkle Products Aging boomers should look elsewhere for the fountain of youth.

• Thrifty Nickel Scam Canadian buyer offers cashier's check and asks for "change."

• Greeting Card Scheme Company misrepresented the potential earnings that consumers could make, FTC charged.

• NorVergence FTC sues company trying to collect on old NorVergence leases. Texas

RECALLS

PASSPORT RULES SUSPENDED
While the immigration debate seems to be over for now, advocates of a more secure border ought to look at how well the feds have handled a rather modest attempt to require passports of everyone entering the U.S. After numerous delays and exceptions, the rules have been temporarily suspended. Reason? Too much paperwork.

Travelers should also consider ...

• Consumer Reports Finds High Fees and Guest-Gouging on the Rise As business and leisure travel picks up, hotels cash in.

• Pilots' Pay Demands May Boost Fares As airlines get back into the black, pilots seek to make up for lost time.

• Passenger Groups Blast Feds Over Airline Service Regulators "too busy" to meet with consumer groups.

• JFK Airport Plot Renews Calls for Worker Screening Congress considering bills that would include more surprise inspections.

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