consumers

A whistleblower alleges that millions of Driscoll's berries shipped to Canada contained chemical residue above allowed limits, according to reporting by CBC. The claim raises questions about pesticide testing and food safety oversight for imported berries sold to Canadian consumers. Driscoll's has not yet been quoted responding in detail, and regulators have not confirmed whether any products were recalled or investigated.

A new report argues that the booming longevity industry — anti-ageing treatments, supplements and clinics — is growing faster than the scientific evidence supporting its claims. The piece warns that consumers are being sold promises of extended healthy lifespan before researchers have proven the underlying biology. It calls for stronger scrutiny of a market driven more by hope and investment than by clinical results.

The gluten-free food sector is under the spotlight as rising consumer demand for gluten-free products collides with evolving regulatory standards. Industry observers note that manufacturers must adapt labelling and production practices to meet stricter rules while responding to a market driven by health-conscious shoppers and those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

A new market outlook projects steady growth in the global dietary supplements industry through 2035, driven largely by personalized nutrition and rising consumer interest in gut health products such as probiotics. Analysts say demand for tailored vitamin and wellness formulations is reshaping the market, with companies expected to invest in customized offerings and digestive health ingredients over the coming decade.

The Trump administration is weighing a ban on US diesel fuel exports, a move that would keep more fuel at home to curb prices for American consumers but would upend global diesel markets and anger refiners who rely on overseas sales. Industry groups and allies are warning of retaliation and supply disruption.

Indian authorities are reportedly widening their scrutiny of Apple's iPhone business, with questions centring on the company's software warranty practices. Regulators are examining whether Apple's handling of software-related warranty claims and repair policies complies with Indian consumer protection rules. The probe could pressure Apple's growing operations in India, a key manufacturing and sales market as the company diversifies away from China. Observers say the warranty issue may prove more consequential than the initial inquiry.

Apple's launch timeline for its next iPhone duo is drawing attention, with Forbes laying out the key dates shoppers need to know, including when pre-orders open, when the first reviews land, and when the phones go on sale. Yahoo Tech is carrying the same report, and buyers are using it to plan their upgrade timing ahead of the annual fall release cycle.

Labcorp has reached a settlement over a data breach, with $100,000 of the payout allocated to North Carolina. The agreement resolves claims that the diagnostic laboratory company failed to protect customer personal information. Details on the total settlement amount, the number of affected consumers, and eligibility for individual payments have not yet been made clear in early reports.

Walmart has stated that neither the company nor its AI shopping assistant uses customers' personal information to determine prices. The retail giant moved to reassure shoppers amid growing public concern that AI tools could enable personalized or surge-style pricing based on individual browsing and purchase data. The statement comes as retailers face increased scrutiny over how artificial intelligence and customer data are used in pricing decisions.

Forbes reports that shopping for a household robot is set to become a major test of consumer trust, as buyers weigh whether machines entering their homes can be relied on with safety, privacy and daily tasks. The piece frames trust, not price or features, as the decisive factor for the emerging home robotics market.

The government has permitted e-commerce providers to deliver foods and gadgets, according to The Financial Express. The move is expected to broaden what online platforms can sell and deliver directly to consumers. Further details on the scope of the permission, which companies are covered, and when it takes effect were not provided in the available reporting.

Discussion is focusing on a K-shaped US economy, in which higher-income households continue to increase spending while lower-income consumers pull back under pressure from prices and borrowing costs. Analysts, including PwC, are examining what this split means for retailers and the broader economic outlook, as aggregate consumer spending figures mask widening differences between income groups.

Walmart's chief executive has publicly pushed back against rumors claiming the retailer's digital shelf labels and AI systems are being used to raise prices. The company says the technology is meant for efficiency, not dynamic pricing. The remarks come amid growing consumer suspicion over how retailers use automation to set costs.

UBS analysts have published research arguing that AI shopping agents, which search, compare and purchase on behalf of consumers, could significantly change hardline, broadline and food retail. The report examines how automated purchasing might shift customer loyalty, pricing power and traffic away from traditional storefronts and search, affecting retailers across categories and forcing them to adapt how products are discovered and sold.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is backing legislation aimed at protecting workers and consumers by barring public officials from issuing meme coins, targeting predatory practices and holding bad actors accountable while recovering funds for victims. The measure is framed against the Trump administration, which supporters say has blocked similar consumer protections, drawing criticism from opponents who see it as politically motivated.