Current Events in June 2019

Central Aquatics of Franklin, Wis., is recalling 96 cases of Aqueon Betta Food.

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Fish with Salmonella infections are not well documented and fish carrying salmonella typically do not show any signs of disease.

No illnesses have been reported to-date.

The recalled product is sold only in a 0.95-oz plastic jar with the expiration dates of EX04JUN22 and EX05JUN22, item number 100106051, UPC Code 0 15905 06051 6, and manufacturing dates of 06/04/2019 and 06/05, 2019.

It was shipped to Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania via distribution centers.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product may return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Central Aquatics at (888) 255-4527.

Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited is recalling Losartan Potassium tablets and Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide combination tablets used to treat hypertension and hypertensive patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

The products contain trace amounts of N-Nitroso N-Methyl 4-amino butyric acid (NMBA), a potential human carcinogen.

The firm has not received any reports of adverse events to date.

The following products, packaged in bottles, are being recalled:

The products can be identified by checking the product name, manufacturer details and batch or lot number on the bottle.

What to do

Patients who are on the recalled medications should continue taking them and contact their pharmacist, physician, or medical provider for advice regarding an alternative treatment, as the risk of harm to the patient's health may be higher if the treatment is stopped immediately without any alternative treatment.

Patients with medical questions regarding this recall or to report an adverse event may contact Macleods at (855) 926-3384 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm (EST).

Macleods is arranging for return of all recalled products to Qualanex. Instructions for returning recalled products are given in the recall letter.

Consumers with general questions regarding the return of the recalled product may contact Qualanex (888) 280-2046, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm (CST) Monday – Friday or by email at recall@qualanex .com.

On Tuesday, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban e-cigarettes when city officials passed an ordinance prohibits selling nicotine “pods” -- cartridges that contain nicotine and used in a vaporizer -- or electronic smoking devices that haven’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“There is so much we don’t know about the health impacts of these products, but we do know that e-cigarette companies are targeting our kids in their advertising and getting them hooked on addictive nicotine products,” San Francisco mayor London Breed said in a statement.

Who’ll be the next to step up?

It’ll be interesting to see if San Francisco’s ban catches fire and moves to other cities. Two other cities in the Bay Area --  the cities of Richmond and Livermore -- have already announced that they may follow in San Francisco’s footsteps.

On a state level, 48 states have laws in place prohibiting access to e-cigarettes for people up to 18 years old or older. 

On the federal level, the initiative has great support from the FDA. Last year, the agency carried out the largest coordinated enforcement effort in the FDA’s history when it issued more than 1,300 warning letters and fines to businesses that illegally sold e-cigarette products to minors.

Manufacturers say they’re on board, at least with teen use

Teens are the primary consumer target for e-cig companies. Close to 21 percent of U.S. high school students and 5 percent of middle schoolers say they’ve used electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days. Adding to that concern is an estimate that some addicted minors spend as much as $1,500 per year feeding their e-cig habit.

Juul -- the largest e-cig manufacturer, one owned in part by Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris -- has its white hat on and says it’s behind the prohibition to minors all the way. In its “commitment to youth prevention,” Juul promises it will:

• Suspend the distribution of non-tobacco and non-menthol-based flavored JUUL products to retail outlets;

• Enhance its e-commerce platform to ensure purchasers are 21+ and to prevent bulk purchases;

• Promote retailer compliance to ensure retail stores do not sell JUUL products to those underage;

• Exit its U.S. Facebook and Instagram accounts; and

• Develop technology-based solutions to prevent youth use.

Finding out the full impact will take time

It’s too early to predict the long-term effects of e-cigarette smoking. With tobacco, there were decades of use and diseases to draw from. But researchers are already seeing some similarity in how genes and proteins are affected. 

“While many of the chemicals found in e-liquids are FDA approved, they are approved for ingestion, not inhalation,” said UNC School of Medicine toxicologist Ilona Jaspers. “When you switch the route of exposure (inhaling instead on ingesting), and go through the lung, the lung is really not a good organ to metabolize foreign compounds.”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a number of states have joined forces to crack down on illegal robocalls. 

The law enforcement partners announced a total of 94 actions targeting telemarketers around the country that are responsible for at least some of the calls -- interruptions that pitch everything from bogus interest rate reduction services to money-making schemes to medical alert systems.

“We’re all fed up with the tens of billions of illegal robocalls we get every year,” said Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Today’s joint effort shows that combating this scourge remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies around the nation.”

Florida seeks injunction

In Florida, Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment against Lifewatch, Inc., and MedGuard Alert, Inc., marketers of health monitors.

“I am committed to protecting the rights of Illinois consumers, and that includes defending against illegal robocalls,” said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “Robocalls cost consumers time and money and violate their privacy. I am proud to be part of this joint effort to take further action to stop this illegal and intrusive practice.” 

Raoul’s office filed a lawsuit against Glamour Services Awe Struck, two companies the attorney general said have been using robocalling and telemarketing to sell home cleaning services. The suit claims many consumers receiving calls from these companies are registered on the Do Not Call List.

The joint crackdown, called “Operation Call it Quits,” is part of the FTC’s ongoing campaign to help stem the tide of universally hated pre-recorded telemarketing calls. In addition, the agency said it is promoting development of technology-based solutions to block robocalls and combat caller ID spoofing.

Michigan settles with natural gas company

As part of the campaign, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a settlement with Ardent Natural Gas in March, resolving alleged violations of the Home Solicitation Sales Act for using robocalls to illegally solicit Michigan consumers. 

As part of her contribution to the effort, Nessel’s office has already hosted 125 consumer education seminars warning consumers about the dangers of robocalls and e-scams.

“It’s time to put a stop to this public nuisance,” Nessel said. “This is only the beginning of several efforts by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to combat this epidemic perpetuated by negligent companies who see nothing more than dollar signs at the other end of the phone line.”

The FTC also announced several cases that are pending against alleged robocallers. The agency is taking action against companies pitching credit card reduction plans and fraudulent money-making schemes.

Mozilla recently launched Track THIS, a browsing history project that can help consumers dupe advertisers through the creation of depersonalized browser behavior. 

Track THIS, the result of a collaboration between Mschf Internet Studios and Mozilla’s Firefox, “opens up 100 tabs crafted to fit a specific character—a hypebeast, a filthy rich person, a doomsday prepper, or an influencer,” explains Vice. 

Touted as “a new kind of incognito” browsing project, Track THIS was created with the aim of showing internet users how third-party ad trackers work. 

“These trackers and these websites really commoditize you, and they don’t really make you feel like a person,” Daniel Greenberg, director of strategy and distribution for mschf, told Vice. “So we wanted to do something visceral that makes the user feel like they’re in control again.”

Four ‘alter ego’ choices

Users can choose from one of four “alter egos” -- Hypebeast, Filthy Rich, Doomsday, or Influencer -- and Track THIS will “open 100 tabs of pure madness to fool trackers into thinking you're someone else.” 

“This will show you ads for products you might not be interested in at all, so it’s really just throwing off brands who want to advertise to a very specific type of person,” Mozilla said in a press release. “You’ll still be seeing ads. And eventually, if you just use the internet as you typically would day to day, you’ll start seeing ads again that align more closely to your normal browsing habits.” 

The project is part of a push by Firefox to show users how they’re being tracked. Ultimately, Firefox is aiming to get users on board with its Enhanced Tracking Protection feature, which offers stronger privacy protection. 

“If you’d rather straight-up block third-party tracking cookies, go ahead and get Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox,” the company said. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings to two kratom marketers that have been accused of illegally selling products with “unproven” claims about the herbal extract’s ability to treat or cure opioid addiction and withdrawal. 

The warning letters were sent to Cali Botanicals of Folsom, Calif., and Kratom NC of Wilmington, N.C. and are part of a larger effort being made by the FDA to inform consumers of the dangers associated with the use of kratom. 

The agency said it has already issued many warnings about the risks associated with kratom, but companies are still selling the product and making “deceptive medical claims that are not backed by science or any reliable scientific evidence.” 

Numerous warnings

Within the past year, the FDA has found high levels of heavy metals in kratom products and linked kratom products to a multistate salmonella outbreak. Adverse health effects of using kratom -- which isn’t approved by the FDA -- can include dizziness, drowsiness, breathing suppression, coma, and death. 

“We have issued numerous warnings about the serious risks associated with the use of kratom, including warnings about the contamination of kratom products with high rates of salmonella that put people using kratom products at risk, and resulted in numerous illnesses and recalls,” acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless said in a statement.

Last February, then-commissioner Scott Gottlieb said that not only is there no evidence to indicate that kratom is safe or effective for any medical use, but the scientific data and adverse event reports have “clearly revealed” that compounds in kratom render it more dangerous than “just a plant.” 

Could delay proper care

The FDA is concerned that companies marketing kratom as a potential treatment for opioid abuse could prevent those who are addicted to opioids from seeking proper care. 

“Using products with unsubstantiated claims may prevent those addicted to opioids from seeking treatments that have been demonstrated to be safe and effective,” the agency said. “Reliance on products with unsubstantiated claims may delay their path to recovery and put them at greater risk of addiction, overdose and death.” 

The FDA has given the companies 15 working days to submit their plan to correct their violations.

“As we work to combat the opioid crisis, we cannot allow unscrupulous vendors to take advantage of consumers by selling products with unsubstantiated claims that they can treat opioid addiction or alleviate other medical conditions,” Sharpless said. 

Chances are you’re starting to see commercials for gold on cable TV again. That’s because the precious metal has been gaining value in recent weeks, hitting a six-year high on Tuesday.

What’s behind the move? Part of it resides in the Federal Reserve. Conventional wisdom holds that the Fed is about to embark on an interest rate-cutting cycle, with perhaps one or two rate cuts before the end of the year.

That belief has sent the dollar lower, and since gold is priced in dollars, it now takes more dollars to buy an ounce of gold than it did a few weeks ago. But geopolitical events may also be playing a role.

Money tends to pour into gold during times of international tension and political uncertainty. Gold moved sharply higher as incidents in the Persian Gulf brought U.S. and Iranian military forces nose to nose. After Iran shot down an unmanned U.S. drone, President Trump was reportedly close to launching a military strike in retaliation.

Spot gold rose nearly 1 percent Tuesday to $1,432.42 per ounce, the highest it’s been since May 2013. U.S. gold futures were slightly higher than that.

Several options

For investors seeking to put a few dollars into the precious metal, there are several options. But it’s worth noting that expert opinions differ on where gold goes from here. George Gero, managing director at RBC Wealth Management, tells Reuters that uptrends like the one gold is in don’t end overnight. He sees gold moving still higher in the short run.

But writing on the Kitco Metals website, analyst Jim Wyckoff describes the gold trade as “overbought and due for a normal and healthy downside correction very soon.”

The commercials on TV for gold are promoting “physical” gold -- things like gold coins and bars. While many investors like the idea of having gold on hand, storing it securely can sometimes be an issue.

Where to buy

It is also important to purchase gold from a reputable dealer. ConsumerAffairs has reviews of nearly a dozen gold dealers here.

Investors can also own gold without taking physical possession of it. Shares of SPDR Gold Shares is an ETF backed by physical gold. Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and can be bought and sold through an online trading platform. The share price is up about 24 percent over the last 12 months.

As with any financial investment, it is always a good idea to seek the advice of a trusted and objective financial advisor before committing funds.

It’s hard enough to accumulate money for retirement. Seniors’ lack of savings has been well-documented.

But older people who have been able to save are often vulnerable to fraud, not only from family members but also financial professionals. A recent case in New Jersey underscores the threat.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal reports that an investment broker entered a guilty plea to stealing $270,000 from an elderly couple. He reportedly did it by persuading them to put money in a fictitious investment program.

The broker, Michael Siegel, of Livingston, N.J., pleaded guilty to second-degree theft by deception. Under a plea arrangement with the state, he’ll serve three years in prison and pay back the $270,000.

According to the attorney general, Siegel had become friends with the couple before becoming their investment broker. The couple stayed with him when he moved to other firms, accumulating an account that totaled well over $2 million -- certainly enough for a comfortable retirement.

Phony ‘options’ program

In 2014, the broker reportedly urged his clients to invest in what was presented as an “options” program, which he sold as a safe institutional trading program for preferred clients. But the clients were allegedly told to make their investment checks out to the broker personally. Grewal says the options account never existed and that the broker pocketed the money.

“Investors count on their brokers to act with honesty and integrity in managing their investments, but Siegel callously betrayed the trust of his victims by stealing over a quarter of a million dollars from them,” Grewal said.

And therein lies the risk for older investors. Using a friend as an investment broker can cloud judgment and prevent the client from holding the broker as accountable as they might with an advisor with whom there was no previous friendship.

When someone takes financial advantage of an older person it’s a form of elder abuse. According to the Nursing Home Abuse Center, there are signs that elder financial abuse is taking place.

Signs to be aware of are forging the elder person’s name on legal documents; forcing the person to sign legal documents such as wills or power of attorney; and charging purchases to an elderly person’s credit card without permission.

According to a recent study conducted by researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, older adults who aren’t getting consistent nights of quality sleep could have trouble remembering things the next day. 

“The night-to-night variability in the older study participants had a major impact on their performance in tests aimed at evaluating episodic memory,” said researcher Audrey Duarte. 

“The association between sleep and memory has been known, but this study’s novelty is showing that the connection is particularly evident for older adults and black participants, regardless of age.” 

A test in memory

The researchers had 81 participants involved in the study, 36 of whom were between the ages of 18 and 37 and 45 who were between the ages of 56 and 76. 

For one week, participants donned wearable devices around their wrists that were able to track their sleeping patterns, while also allowing participants to sleep comfortably and normally in their own homes. 

At the end of the week, each participant was asked to take part in a battery of memory tests, the majority of which required them to remember pairs of words they were shown earlier in the day. Participants also received an EEG at this time to measure brain waves. 

The study revealed that sleep was the key to the older participants’ higher scores on the memory tests, as poor sleep was associated with poorer memory outcomes. The researchers also found that this trend was consistent for all black participants, regardless of age. 

“The main factor that correlated with poor sleep quality in black participants was race-related stress,” said researcher Emily Hokett, who administered questionnaires to all participants to gauge their stress levels. “When participants had higher values on that measure of stress, they would also have higher sleep fragmentation, on average. We found a very significant relationship here.” 

While the researchers hope to expand this research to larger, more diverse populations, they also encourage consumers of all ages to prioritize sleep if they want to enhance their memory skills and overall cognitive functioning. 

“You can imagine that many people, students among them, may have variable sleep patterns based on staying up late to study and sleeping in on weekends to catch up,” said Duarte. “This data shows that may not be the greatest strategy for optimizing memory ability.” 

Being strategic about sleep

Not getting enough sleep can come with some serious consequences, and even though many consumers try to catch up on sleep on the weekends, a recent study found that it can be nearly impossible to make up for lost sleeping time. 

“The key take-home message from this study is that ad libitum weekend recovery or catch-up sleep does not appear to be an effective countermeasure to reverse sleep loss induced disruptions of metabolism,” said researcher Kenneth Wright.

Though sleep is critical at any age, a bad night of sleep could increase the risk of falling for older people, further emphasizing the need for consecutive nights of quality rest. 

Taking medication to control cholesterol has become commonplace, but researchers have found that doing so could increase consumers’ risk for another disease. 

A study conducted by researchers from Ohio State University suggests that taking statins, a medication that works to lower blood pressure, could increase consumers’ risk for developing type 2 diabetes. 

“The fact that increased duration of statin use was associated with an increased risk of diabetes -- something we call a dose-dependent relationship -- makes us think that this is likely a causal relationship,” said researcher Victoria Zigmont. 

Understanding the risks

To see the effects cholesterol medication had for patients, the researchers analyzed data for over 4,600 men and women -- none of whom had diabetes at the start of the study.

When the study began in 2011, none of the participants had started taking medication for their cholesterol, but all of them were at an increased risk of heart disease based on their medical histories. Over the course of the three years of the study, 16 percent were prescribed statins. 

Though the medication worked in keeping high cholesterol at bay and preventing heart disease, those taking statins were also more likely to have high levels of hemoglobin A1C, an indicator of diabetes. 

The researchers found that participants taking statins had double the risk of developing diabetes, while those who stayed on the medication for over two years were more than three times as likely to get diabetes. The researchers hope that this study is eye-opening for both those working in the healthcare field and patients who are prescribed these pills. 

“In addition, researchers conducting large prospective cohort studies should be considering how statins impact human health overall,” said researcher Steve Clinton. “They should consider both risks and benefits, not just the disease that is being treated by the specific drug.” 

Maintaining heart health

With over 40 million adults in the United States taking statins to control their cholesterol, and half of kids and teens struggling with their cholesterol, it’s more important than ever for consumers of all ages to prioritize their heart health. 

High cholesterol can lead to heart disease, and it can also increase the risk for heart attack and stroke, making consumers’ daily habits that much more important. 

San Giuseppe Salami Co. by Giacomo of Elon, N.C., is recalling approximately 832 pounds of ready-to-eat, frozen andouille sausage.

The product may may be contaminated with extraneous materials -- specifically metal.

There are no confirmed reports of adverse reactions.

The following item, produced on May 14, 2019, is being recalled:

• Varying weights of vacuum-packed, individually-sealed packages containing “SAN GIUSEPPE SALAMI CO. BY GIACOMO ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE (SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED)” with a “Sell By: 11/10/2019” date on the case labels.

The recalled product, bearing establishment number “EST. 21556” inside the USDA mark of inspection, was shipped to retail and institutional locations in Greensboro, N.C.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should not consume it, but discard or return it to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions may contact Francisco Grijalva or Giacomo Santomauro at (336) 586-7003, or by email at Francesco@sgsalami.com and Giacomo@sgsalami.com, respectively.

Amazon has announced that its fifth annual Prime Day event for paid members will span two full days this year. Starting at midnight PT/3AM ET on July 15, the company will slash prices on more than a million items on its marketplace. 

The 48-hour event, which Amazon describes as a “two-day parade of epic deals,” will boast the "biggest Prime Day deals ever on Alexa-enabled devices,” as well as new “Lightning Deals.” 

“These deals will include jaw-dropping prices on top-tier brands,” Amazon said in a press release. “Due to the nature of these deals, many will have limited quantities and could sell out fast, so Prime members should come back frequently to view new deals launching throughout the 48-hour event.” 

Two days of deals

In addition to being the company’s longest Prime Day yet, this year’s event will be the first to include free one-day shipping with no minimum purchase amount. 

The e-commerce giant has already started offering an "early" Prime Day deal on a Toshiba HD television. Through June 30, the television is available for about $180 -- $120 less than its retail price. Amazon is also selling the Key for Garage myQ Smart Garage Hub + Amazon Cloud Cam (Key Edition) for $99.98, which is 40 percent lower than its normal price.

Special Prime Day deals will be available July 15 to 16 to Prime members in the U.S., U.K., Spain, Singapore, Netherlands, Mexico, Luxembourg, Japan, Italy, India, Germany, France, China, Canada, Belgium, Austria, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Last year, Amazon’s 36-hour Prime Day event set a record for the company. Sales ended up surpassing Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and 2017’s Prime Day despite site outages due to overwhelming traffic in the early hours of the sales event.

“The first ten hours of Prime Day grew even faster, year-over-year, than the first ten hours last year,” the company said in a 2018 press release.

A spokesperson for Amazon told CNET that the company has “worked super hard throughout the year to ensure that we're prepared for this year.” 

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has unveiled a plan to eliminate all student loans through a new tax on Wall Street transactions. The plan would also make two- and four-year public colleges and universities free to attend.

“The bottom line is we shouldn’t be punishing people for getting to higher education,” Sanders said at a news conference in Washington on Monday. “It is time to hit the reset button. Under the proposal that we introduced today, all student debt would be canceled in six months.”

"We will make a full and complete education a human right," Sanders said. 

In April, Senator and presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced a proposal that would wipe out $50,000 in debt for each person with a household income of less than $100,000. Sanders’ plan goes a step further by taking income eligibility out of the equation. 

"This proposal completely eliminates student debt in this country and ends the absurdity of sentencing an entire generation, the millennial generation, to a lifetime of debt for the crime of doing the right thing - and that is going out and getting a higher education,” Sanders said. 

Taxing Wall Street

The plan would include a 0.5 percent tax on stock transactions and a 0.1 percent tax on bonds, which would generate an estimated $2.4 trillion over the next ten years. 

Sanders’ campaign says the proposal would erase $1.6 trillion in outstanding student loan debt carried by 45 million Americans. A majority of the initiative’s benefits (73 percent) would go to Americans with incomes of less than $127,000 per year. 

"During the financial crisis, Wall Street received the largest taxpayer bailout in American history. Now it is Wall Street's turn to help rebuild the middle class. #CancelStudentDebt," Sanders tweeted Monday. 

FedEx is suing the U.S. Department of Commerce for imposing upon it the “impossible burden” of new shipping regulations related to trade disputes. 

In a complaint filed Monday, the company said current Export Administration Regulations violate its Fifth Amendment rights because it forces FedEx to risk legal issues while doing its job. Specifically, the company contends that it shouldn’t be expected to enforce a ban on exports to some Chinese companies.

FedEx said it’s committed to complying with all laws and regulations but emphasized that it’s “a transportation company, not a law enforcement agency.” 

‘Virtually impossible’ to screen for export violations 

The language of current EAR regulations “unreasonably hold common carriers strictly liable for shipments that may violate the EAR without requiring evidence that the carriers had any knowledge of any violations,” FedEx said. “This puts an impossible burden on a common carrier such as FedEx to know the origin and technological make-up of contents of all the shipments it handles and whether they comply with the EAR.” 

Not long ago, China demanded an explanation after the delivery company decided not ship a Huawei phone to the U.S., fearing that doing so would violate export regulations. 

“The package in question was mistakenly returned to the shipper, and we apologize for this operational error,” FedEx told Reuters.

In its suit, the company noted that even one shipment error can result in it being hit with a substantial fine. FedEx argued that it’s “virtually impossible” to comply with its restrictions on trade with Huawei and other blacklisted companies.

To address the concerns in its complaint, FedEx is seeking an order blocking the Department of Commerce from holding it liable for certain EAR provisions. 

Several states across the country have adopted taxes on sugary drinks, and according to a new report, they could be changing consumers’ behavior for the better. 

Experts have discovered that the consumption of sugary drinks has decreased in states that have imposed taxes on the beverages. 

“This new review presents compelling evidence that sugary drink taxes result in decreased sales, purchasing or dietary intake of taxed beverages,” said researcher Dr. Andrea Tang. “For a 10 percent tax, sugary drink volumes declined by an average of 10 percent.” 

Making healthier choices

To see the effect these taxes have had on consumers’ behavior, the researchers analyzed data from places that have implemented taxes on sugary drinks, including countries like France, Mexico, Spain, and Chile, as well as cities in the U.S. like Philadelphia, Cleveland, Berkeley, and Portland.

After evaluating buying habits and overall consumption in all of these areas both pre- and post-tax, the researchers learned that taxing sugary drinks led to a decrease in consumption of the beverages across the board, though the outcomes differed by region. 

The researchers explained that while taxes on sugary drinks were consistent in each area, some places coupled the tax with greater public initiatives to reduce the risk of obesity. In other places, there was a greater variety of beverages that weren’t loaded with sugar, prompting consumers to make healthier purchases for less money. 

“Some of the differences found in these studies may also be due to non-price mechanisms,” said researcher Dr. Amanda Jones. “For example, a tax may signal to the public the seriousness of the health concern associated with consuming a product.” 

The researchers also found that the majority of consumers were more likely to swap their sugary drink habit for a less sugary option once the tax was implemented. Overall, consumers’ habits changed when sugary drinks were taxed, showing the effectiveness of public policy on initiatives that can affect consumers’ health. 

“It shows taxes on sugary drinks are an effective tool to reduce consumption, and we know from other research that high consumption of sugary drinks increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and dental caries,” said Dr. Teng.

Limiting sugary drink consumption

While cities like Philadelphia, Seattle, and Berkeley have implemented taxes on sugary drinks, some cities are looking to take things one step further -- especially for kids. 

Officials in California are working to ban restaurants from serving sugary drinks to kids, while healthcare officials are developing new guidelines to reduce kids’ access and consumption of the beverages. 

“Excess consumption of added sugars, especially from sugary drinks, contributes to the high prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity, especially among children and adolescents who are socioeconomically vulnerable,” the authors said. “To protect child and adolescent health, broad implementation of policy strategies to reduce sugary drink consumption in children and adolescents is urgently needed.”

Americans have been told they need to save for retirement for decades, but a new survey on the subject from Vanguard shows that not everyone has been listening.

The survey-takers talked with people nearing retirement age about their saving and spending habits and about how much they had socked away in retirement accounts. For those who had 401(k) accounts, the average balance was a little less than $200,000.

But the situation might be even worse. The median amount of savings for adults who are at least 65 is just $58,000. That means most people in the survey had saved considerably less than the average.

Concerns remain the same

The Vanguard researchers say retirement plans have improved since 2006, when Congress passed broader incentives to encourage retirement plan participation. They note that plan participation has, in fact, improved since then.

“However, as we look to the future, the main concerns affecting retirement savings plans largely remain the same -- improving plan participation and contribution rates even further and continuing to enhance portfolio diversification, enabling more individuals to retire with sufficient assets,” the researchers wrote.

The report traced the poor performance to three main factors -- income, age, and how long an individual had been at a particular job. It also found gender played a role.

“Sixty percent of Vanguard participants are male, and men have average and median balances that are about 50 percent higher than those of women,” the report said. “Gender is often a proxy for other factors, such as income and job tenure.”

Of participants taking part in the survey, men had an average of nearly $107,000 tucked away while women, on average, had $72,451. The researchers found women earned less than men and hadn’t been at their jobs as long as men.

But when all things were equal -- with women earning the same and having the same job tenure -- they tended to save more than their male counterparts.

Other studies

Other studies have shown people nearing retirement have less-than-adequate savings. A 2015 study by the General Accountability Office (GAO) found that half of older Americans had no money saved for retirement. When asked why, many said they had no money left over after paying expenses.

Perhaps because of that, a 2018 survey by Careerbuilder showed more than half of workers aged 60 years or older said they are postponing retirement plans. Worries about having enough money to last through retirement appeared to be the overriding reason.

The survey showed 53 percent of age 60-plus workers are putting off retirement, with significantly more men making that decision than women. Four out of 10 workers said they don't think they can retire until at least age 70.