American nonprofit, nonpartisan product testing, ratings, and consumer advocacy
Automakers have announced strategic shifts as Chinese brands and US trade rules upend the sector. Volkswagen has proposed deep job cuts to cut costs, Jaguar Land Rover is adding hybrids and prioritising the US, and the Commerce Department has denied Polestar permission to sell new connected models in the US from 2027, pushing the brand to refocus on Europe.
Consumer Reports has named Sam’s Club’s rotisserie chicken the top overall pick among 10 chains, praising flavor, seasoning and juiciness. Costco’s bird is praised for plumpness but criticized for seasoning inconsistency. The test found no PFAS and noted several birds weighed more than listed on packaging.
A federal class-action suit in Washington state accuses Costco of selling Orgain Organic Protein Powder with undisclosed levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic. Plaintiffs say testing by third parties and Consumer Reports shows contamination, while Orgain asserts products are safe and compliant. The case builds on similar claims and ongoing scrutiny of protein powders.
New Jersey has passed the Fair Price Protection Act to ban personalized pricing based on consumer data, while pausing the rollout of new electronic shelf labels for a year to study their impact. The law aims to shield shoppers from data-driven price discrimination, with a temporary hold on ESLs and no ban on loyalty programs or discounts.
Independent analyses show LG smart TVs may collect device data and audio, even when off or on standby, prompting calls for updates to privacy settings and firmware. LG says data collection occurs only with voice features enabled and local processing is used, but researchers warn about broader implications for home networks and advertising.