Living (Chatham Journal)

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[In Food] [February 13, 2010]
Consumer Reports finds that packaged salad can contain high levels of bacteria
Consumer Reports’ latest tests of packaged leafy greens found bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and fecal contamination, in some cases, at rather high levels. Consumers Union also issued a report urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to set safety standards for greens. FDA food safety legislation pending in the Senate, and passed last summer by the House of Representatives, would require the FDA to create just such safety standards.

What your car is telling you when it whines, creaks, or squeals
[Feb. 8, 2010] When your car thumps, pings, and hisses it’s hard to tell if you should take your car to the mechanic or not, so Consumer Reports has identified what noises drivers should turn down the radio for. [In Autos]

Consumer Reports finds that diet entrées serve up better taste, small portions
[Jan. 31, 2010] From the labs at Consumer Reports, some dinner recommendations that aren’t quite fine dining but can help dieters control their portions and lose weight. In the February issue, 14 out of 24 microwaveable meals earn a “Very Good” rating for taste, a marked improvement since the last time prepared meals were tested in 2004. But Consumer Reports Health notes that many entrées have so few calories that diners may need to round out their meals with a few side dishes. [In Food]

Cadillac CTS tops Consumer Reports tests of luxury sedans but reliability remains an issue
[Jan. 21, 2010] The Cadillac CTS posted an “Excellent” overall score and outpointed competitors from Acura, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Lincoln in Consumer Reports’ testing of five luxury sedans for the February 2010 issue. [In Autos]

Consumer Reports finds that fiber-optic providers are leading choices for Internet, TV, and telephone service
[Jan. 21, 2010] Fiber-optic service providers for Internet, TV and phone services scored tops overall in Consumer Reports latest survey of telecom services. Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse, whose networks are fiber-optic based, received top scores for Internet and TV service and were among the better phone providers. Results of Consumer Reports survey of some 69,000 reader experiences with telecom services are featured in the magazine’s February issue. [In Technology]

Consumer Reports finds that prices of washers down by as much as 33 percent
[Jan. 15, 2010] Consumer Reports latest tests on washers reveal price drops of as much as 33 percent compared with a year ago. And along with the federally funded rebates of up to $250 for qualifying models, consumers are seeing more energy- and water-efficient models that save money in the long run. The full report, which includes dryer ratings, appears in the February issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org. [In Consumer]

Latest tests of treadmills and ellipticals by Consumer Reports yield 14 top machines
[Jan. 14, 2010] After putting 48 machines to the test, Consumer Reports Health lists 14 recommended treadmills and ellipticals for a home workout, including five Best Buy choices which combine performance and value. The report is part of “Get Fit In 2010,” a do-it-yourself Web guide at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org. [In Health]

Toyota tops while Chevrolet, Ford, and Subaru rise in Consumer Reports car brand perception survey
[Jan. 12, 2010] Despite one of the most turbulent years ever in the automotive market, Chevrolet, Ford, and Subaru have benefited from a dramatic increase in overall brand perception among car owners, according to Consumer Reports 2010 Car Brand Perception Survey. [In Autos]

Consumer Reports finds packaged products that are full of air
[Dec. 22, 2009] Did you ever wonder why some packaged products in the grocery store have so much empty space in them? Consumer Reports’ recent investigation turned up several products with packages that are as much as half empty. Those include One A Day Men’s 50 + Advantage vitamins, where the plastic 50-tablet bottle looks about 40 percent empty, and Lay’s Potato chip bags that are half-filled. [In Consumer]

Consumer Reports finds that new cell phone models adapting to reflect users’ lifestyles
[Dec. 21, 2009] Consumer Reports latest tests of 69 cell phones found that models are evolving to offer more sophisticated capabilities to meet consumers’ more diverse needs and lifestyles. According to a recent Consumer Reports National Research Center survey of more than 13,500 online subscribers, the desire for advanced features was the main reason consumers bought a new phone. [In Consumer]

Consumer Reports identifies six holiday shopping gotchas to avoid
[Dec. 21, 2009] With budgets tightening this year and credit tight for many consumers, shoppers have probably tried to keep holiday shopping under control. But even the most carefully built holiday budget can crumble if you fall for the tricks grinchy companies use to get you to spend more. [In Consumer]