Consumer News & Alerts

January 7, 2008

By Martin H. Bosworth
ConsumerAffairs.com

STATISTICIANS TAKE ON 2007'S DUBIOUS HEADLINES
Toxic water bottles! Sperm-destroying chemicals! Killer mattresses! Poisonous iPhones! How can a beleaguered consumer separate hype-generating headlines and fearmongering from real news? The nonprofit Statistical Assessment Service took a look at the year's most dubious uses of data in the media, and we take a look at their choices to help you separate the wheat from the chaff.

• Jessica Sucumbs The Rhode Island feline who battled back from apparent pet food poisoning has died. Jessica's owner is enraged at the response -- or lack thereof -- of the pet food manufacturer, the FDA and just about everyone else she contacted for help, as Lisa Wade McCormick reports.

• Diamond Pet Foods Agrees To $3.1 Million Settlement Consumers whose dogs were injured may be eligible for compensation.

More product safety news...

• Electric Mobility Settles Misrepresentation Charges Rascal Scooter sales practices challenged by Washington state.

• Antibiotic Leads to Tendon Ruptures Public Citizen sues FDA seeking faster action.

• Feds Halt Bogus Healthcare 'Opportunity' Sales of herbal 'cure all' also banished.

• Hyping Echinacea with Bad Numbers The press mangles the statistics on an unpersuasive Echinacea study.

• Georgia Quarantines PetSmart Stores Outbreak of bird disease a threat to humans.

• FDA Warns Consumers About Chinese 'Health' Supplements 'Natural' alternatives to Viagra may be dangerous.

This week's recalls...

• Tricam Toy Wagons

• Lowe's, Home Depot Medicine Cabinets

• KYMCO/MXU ATVs

TOP TEN AUTOMOTIVE OUTRAGES
From airbag failures to flying spark plugs, from jumpin' Jeeps to outdated OnStar systems, the automotive industry in 2007 was chock-full of stories of defective products, business failures, and more time and money spent covering up or ignoring problems than actually building safer cars -- and consumers were saddled with the consequences. Automotive expert Joe Benton has the rundown of the top ten lemons and what's being done -- or not done -- about them.

More automotive news...

• Gas Prices On the Move Average price up almost $1 over last year.

• Prius Helps Toyota Knock Off Ford for #2 Spot GM hangs onto top spot for one more year.

• Obesity Linked to Decreased Seatbelt Use Researchers suggest greater availability of seat belt extenders.

• 15 States Sue Over Clean Air Decision Suit seeks to overturn EPA's refusal to allow tougher rules.

• Driving While Phoning Gums Up Traffic, Study Finds Distracted drivers slower to react.

CONSUMERS FALL BEHIND ON LOAN PAYMENTS
The housing slump continues to take its toll on Americans' finances, as payments on home equity loans and lines of credit continued to fall behind in the third quarter of 2007, according to a report from the American Bankers' Association. Although consumers are seemingly still able to pay off their credit cards even in the face of rising gas prices, energy bills, and mortgage payments, it may not be long before the global credit crunch pushes those payments into delinquency as well.

More financial news...

• IRS May Limit 'Instant Refund' Loans New regulations will also limit sharing of returns with third parties.

NETFLIX DELIVERS MOVIES RIGHT TO TV SETS; WAL-MART BOWS OUT
Popular movie rental service Netflix announced a partnership with LG Electronics that would enable subscribers to download movies right to their home television sets via a special converter box, bypassing their computers completely. Although details about Netflix's new offering are still scarce, the move comes right as retail giant Wal-Mart abandoned its own unsuccessful download service, shuttering the site at the end of 2007 without much fanfare.

FEDS OFFER COUPONS TO COVER COSTS OF DIGITAL TV CONVERSION
With only one year remaining until the switch from analog to digital television broadcasts, television watchers without the right equipment will wake up to blank screens when the switch is completed. The government has begun offering $40 coupons to help cover the cost of converter boxes for those who watch television using "rabbit ears" or rooftop antennae, and don't get cable or satellite service. It remains to be seen if the vouchers will reach everyone before the changeover is complete, but thousands have already signed up to receive coupons for the purchase.

NEW RULE LIMITS LITHIUM BATTERIES IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE
Lithium batteries are infamous for overheating and causing fires in laptops, cellphones, and other electronic devices, leading to recalls of millions of batteries over the past several years. Now travelers carrying spare or loose lithium batteries on flights are prohibited from putting them in carry-on bags, according to a new rule that took effect on January 1st. Passengers can still carry the batteries with them if the loose batteries are in plastic bags, or if they are inside the equipment they're powering.

More aviation news...

• United Pilots Contradict Carrier on Cancellations Holiday travel debacle can't be blamed on weather, pilots argue.

GET FIT WITHOUT A GYM MEMBERSHIP
You don't need to splurge hundreds of dollars on expensive gym fees or the latest newfangled workout techniques to lose weight, get fit, and lead a better life. Wellness coordinator Colleen Greene offers seven simple tips for incorporating fitness and activity into your daily routine, according to your specific needs.

This week's health news...

• Bird Flu Vaccine Trials 'Encouraging' Vaccine could also protect against other flu strains.

• Researchers Find 'Fat-Burner' Compounds New discovery could reduce health risk of high-fat foods.

• Hospitals Slow to Start Defibrillation Deaths rise with delays, researchers find.

• Antibiotic Leads to Tendon Ruptures Public Citizen sues FDA seeking faster action.

• FDA Clears First Quick Test For 'Super Staph' New test can give results in two hours, instead of two days.

• Lack of Deep Sleep May Increase Diabetes Risk Obesity not the only cause of the diabetes epidemic?

• Restless Legs Syndrome Doubles Risk of Stroke, Heart Disease Largest study of its kind finds correlation.

HOUSEKEEPING NOTE
Delivery of our daily newsletter, The Daily Consumer, will be slightly erratic this week, our editor advises.

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