Doctors report severe scalding injuries as children mimic viral cooking challenges

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Pediatric hospitals are treating children with second- and third-degree burns tied to ramen cooking video

• Social media clips encourage kids to prepare instant noodles without supervision

• Safety experts urge parents to monitor viral trends and keep boiling water off-limits

Ramen noodles are a staple in many American households, especially among teenagers and college students. But a recent TikTok trend is drawing in younger children some as young as seven to prepare the noodles on their own.

The results, doctors warn, can be catastrophic.

Across the U.S., pediatric burn units have reported a spike in cases linked to children spilling boiling water while cooking ramen. Several hospitals say the injuries are severe enough to require skin grafts and weeks of recovery.

Why the trend went viral

TikTok videos featuring quick and creative ramen recipes have racked up millions of views. In many, children are shown seasoning noodles, mixing sauces, or adding toppings without adult help. Experts say the platforms algorithm rewards eye-catching life hacks, even when they put kids at risk.

We've definitely had patients that have had to stay in hospital with us as a result of hot soup and hot noodles falling on them, Jason Bresky, a registered nurse and trauma and burn injury prevention and outreach coordinator at Bridgeport (Conn.) Hospital, told NBC CT.

Some clips encourage microwaving noodles in open containers or attempting stovetop cooking without protective gear both scenarios that dramatically increase the chance of burns.

What parents can do

Consumer advocates urge parents to:

• Talk with children about the risks of cooking unsupervised

• Place microwaves and cooking appliances out of reach for younger kids

• Monitor social media use to understand what trends children may be exposed to

Doctors also recommend switching to safer kid-friendly cooking projects if children want to try making food on their own.

Growing up in an era of ultra-processed food could be a factor

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

Nearly 1 in 5 middle-aged women show signs of food addiction, study finds

Generation X most vulnerable after growing up surrounded by ultra-processed foods

Rates are double those of older Americans who encountered processed foods later in life

Gen X may be paying the price for growing up in the snack-food boom. A new University of Michigan study finds that people in their 50s and early 60s show high rates of addiction-like behavior around ultra-processed foods especially women.

Researchers found 21% of women and 10% of men in this age group meet the criteria for food addiction, compared with just 12% of women and 4% of men aged 65 to 80. The difference? Baby Boomers only encountered mass-produced snacks and diet foods as adults, while Gen X grew up surrounded by them.

The addiction test

The study used the Yale Food Addiction Scale to track symptoms such as intense cravings, failed attempts to cut back, and withdrawal-like effects when cutting down on foods like chips, fast food, and sugary drinks.

Unlike alcohol or tobacco, food addiction skews heavily female. Researchers point to the marketing blitz of the 80s and 90s low-fat cookies, frozen dinners, and diet bars sold as healthy but designed to hook.

Other factors may be in play. Researchers found that food addiction was strongly linked to poor mental and physical health, weight struggles, and social isolation. Adults who felt isolated were more than three times as likely to show addictive eating patterns.

These findings raise urgent questions about whether there are critical developmental windows when exposure to ultra-processed foods is especially risky for addiction vulnerability, said senior author Ashley Gearhardt, professor of psychology at U-M and director of the Food and Addiction Science & Treatment Lab.

We hope this study fills a gap in knowledge about addiction to ultra-processed foods among older adults, as measured by a well-studied and standardized scale, said Lucy Loch, a graduate student in the U-M Department of Psychology.

Todays older adults were in a key developmental period when our nations food environment changed. With other research showing clear links between consumption of these foods and risk of chronic disease and premature death, its important to study addiction to ultra-processed foods in this age group.

A warning for the future

Gen X may be the first generation living most of their lives in a processed-food world but not the last. Todays kids consume even more. Unless habits change, researchers warn, tomorrows older adults could face even higher addiction rates.

Lexus, Honda, and Acura also stand out as vehicles most likely to hit 250,000 miles

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Toyota leads all brands with a 17.8% predicted chance of hitting 250,000 miles.

• Japanese automakers dominate the top rankings, with Lexus, Honda, and Acura joining Toyota above the industry average.

• Most brands fall short of the 4.8% industry average, highlighting how rare true long-haul cars remain.

Toyota once again earns its reputation for building vehicles that last. According to the 2025 iSeeCars Longest-Lasting Cars Study, Toyotas have a 17.8% predicted chance of reaching at least 250,000 miles, nearly four times the industry average of 4.8%.

The brands dominance is due not only to its popular trucks and SUVs, like the 4Runner, Sequoia, Tacoma, and Tundra, but also to long-running sedans and hybrids such as the Avalon and Prius.

Japanese cars have a well-earned reputation for high quality and durability, said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. After looking at the lifespan data on over 174 million vehicles, iSeeCars can confirm that reputation is well deserved.

The top four brands

Behind Toyota, Lexus ranks second with a 12.8% likelihood of surpassing 250,000 miles. Honda follows at 10.8%, and its luxury counterpart Acura, ranks fourth at 7.2%.

These four brands are the only automakers to score above average, putting them in what iSeeCars describes as rarified air when it comes to producing vehicles built for the long haul.

In contrast, many household names land below average. GMC (4.6%), Tesla (4.6%), Chevrolet (4.5%), and Cadillac (4.5%) hover just under the industry benchmark. Othersincluding Subaru, Nissan, and Dodgefall well below the 4.8% threshold.

Luxury vs. mainstream

The study also examined differences between luxury and non-luxury brands. Non-luxury shoppers tend to be value-driven, and for them, longevity matters more. Toyota and Honda are the only mainstream brands to rise above the non-luxury average of 5.1%.

Among luxury automakers, Lexus and Acura dominate the top of the list, joined by Tesla, Cadillac, and Lincoln. Still, the average luxury vehicle has just a 3.2% chance of reaching 250,000 milesa reflection, analysts say, of lower annual use rather than poorer build quality.

Reaching a quarter-million miles remains a high bar for most cars. While modern design and engineering have extended lifespans overall, iSeeCars notes that only a handful of brands consistently deliver vehicles capable of lasting decades.

For consumers shopping new or used, lifespan should be just one of many factors to consider. But for buyers planning to keep their vehicles for many years, the latest rankings suggest Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Acura are the safest bets for going the distance.

The suit says the companies conspired to limit competition, costing renters and landlords more

• States say a $100 million pact shut down head-to-head competition in multifamily rental advertising.

• Coalition argues renters will face fewer choices and landlords higher prices after Redfins exit.

• Lawsuit seeks to unwind the agreements, block future coordination, and restore competition.

A bipartisan group of state attorneys general is suing Zillow and Redfin, alleging the rivals struck an illegal arrangement to stop competing in the online market for apartment rental advertisinghurting both renters and landlords. The complaint centers on a pair of agreements the companies signed on February 6, 2025, under which Zillow paid Redfin $100 million and Redfin shut down its multifamily rental ad business and sent those clients to Zillow.

The states' action follows a similar complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission.

What the states allege

According to the lawsuit, Zillow and Redfinwhose portfolio includes Rent.comwere two of the three dominant players in online apartment advertising, alongside CoStars Apartments.com. Together, the three controlled about 85% of market revenue. For years, the complaint says, Zillow and Redfin battled to win property managers ad budgets and to attract renters with better features and user experience.

That competition allegedly ended when the companies executed what the states call an unlawful scheme through a Partnership Agreement and a Content License Agreement. The coalition argues the arrangement violates federal antitrust laws by removing a major rival and dulling incentives to improve service quality and pricing.

How the deal worked, per the complaint

Under the Partnership Agreement, Zillow paid $100 million for Redfin to exit advertising for buildings with 25+ units and to transfer Redfins multifamily clients to Zillow, a direct competitor. Under the Content License Agreement, Redfin allegedly agreed to stay out of multifamily advertising for up to nine years and to display only the apartment listings also shown on Zillows sites. The complaint says the pact, while initially limited to larger buildings, envisions extending to all apartment buildings.

As a result, the filing says, about 450 Redfin employees tied to its multifamily rental ad business were terminated.

New York Attorney General Letitia Jameswho leads the coalition with Arizona, Connecticut, Washington and Virginiasaid millions of renters depend on online listings to find an affordable, safe place to live. The AGs contend the deal will raise advertising prices for property managers and reduce choice and innovation for renters by consolidating a market already highly concentrated. They also argue the referral payments from Redfin to Zillow blunt Redfins incentive to compete for traffic by improving its user experience.

What the AGs want the court to do

The lawsuit seeks a ruling that the agreements violate federal antitrust laws, along with an injunction barring Zillow and Redfin from continuing the alleged coordination. The states also ask the court to consider divestitures or other structural remedies necessary to restore competition in the market.

What happens next

If the court grants an injunction, Redfin could be required to rebuild multifamily advertising capabilities or Zillow could be required to divest assets acquired through the deal. The case also raises broader questions about data-sharing and listing syndication in real-estate marketplaces where a few platforms control most traffic.

Precautionary recall targets Sea Port raw easy peel shrimp sold in seven markets

• Voluntary recall covers Sea Port brand frozen raw easy peel white shrimp, jumbo 16/20 count/lb, in 1-lb and 2-lb bags.

• Distributed in small volumes to retailers in AK, CA, HI, MT, OR, WA and American Samoa between July 10 and Sept. 22, 2025; no illnesses reported.

• FDA is investigating Cs-137 issues tied to an Indonesian processor and says no product that tested positive has entered U.S. commerce (as of Aug. 19).

Sea Port Products Corp., of Kirkland, Wash., is recalling a limited amount of Sea Port brand Frozen Raw Easy Peel White Shrimp, Jumbo 16/20 count/lb because the product may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with cesium-137 (Cs-137), a man-made radioisotope. The company says the recall is voluntary and precautionary. (USA Today)

Where it was sold. The affected bags were distributed in very small volumes to small retailers in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and American Samoa from July 10, 2025 through Sept. 22, 2025. Consumers are urged to check home freezers. (USA Today)

Why this is happening. The action comes amid an ongoing FDA investigation into reports of Cs-137 detected in shipping containers and frozen shrimp associated with Indonesian processor PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods). In an Aug. 19 update, the agency said no product that tested positive for Cs-137 has entered U.S. commerce, while it works with distributors and retailers on recalls out of an abundance of caution. FDA also placed the firm on an import alert to block shipments until safety issues are resolved. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Health context. Cs-137 can exist at low background levels in the environment; the primary concern is long-term, repeated low-dose exposure, which can increase cancer risk by damaging DNA. That risk profile is why regulators are advising against consuming potentially affected shrimp even though no illnesses are reported. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Product details: how to identify the recalled bags

Check the back of the bag near the UPC barcode for the lot/best-by codes below.

• 1-lb bag Lot C10524 SO502 080; Best by 05/08/2028; UPC 659878010019

• 2-lb bag Lot C10524 SO502 080; Best by 05/07/2028; UPC 659878008610

• 2-lb bag Lot C10524 SO502 080; Best by 05/08/2028; UPC 659878008610

What consumers should do

• Do not eat the recalled shrimp. Dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

• For questions, contact Sea Port Products at 425-896-0186 (MonFri, 8 a.m.5 p.m. PT).

• Keep your receipt or a photo of the package/lot code for refund documentation.

• See FDAs advisory for ongoing updates tied to the Indonesian supplier investigation. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Prevention tips

• Audit your freezer: Search by brand + size (1-lb/2-lb) and confirm lot/best-by against the list above.

• Shop traceably: Prefer retailers that post recall notices at point of sale and on receipts/loyalty apps.

• Stay subscribed: Sign up for FDAs recalls & advisories email feed so shrimp and other seafood alerts land in your inbox. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

If youre affected: quick guide

1. Isolate and bag the product to avoid mix-ups, then discard or return for refund.

2. Sanitize any surface the thawed product touched.

3. Monitor updates: FDA continues to update its shrimp advisory; check for expansions or additional brands. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Quick checklist

• Confirm Sea Port brand, jumbo 16/20 size.

• Match lot and best-by dates.

• Dispose/return; do not consume.