Category: Consumer rights

Over one in five college students reported mixing energy drinks with alcohol in the past year, highlighting a common misconception that their regulatory frameworks are similar. In fact, energy drinks are not regulated like alcohol, falling under very different and often less stringent legal standards, which impacts labeling, sales, and health warnings.

According to regulatory bodies like the FDA and Food Standards Agency, ingredients are not listed in a random order but are mandated to appear in a specific, descending sequence based on their proportion by weight. Understanding how ingredients are ordered is crucial for consumers, allowing them to make informed choices about the products they buy and consume.

According to regulatory bodies like the FDA, ingredient lists are indeed mandated to be in descending order of predominance by weight. This means the ingredient that weighs the most is listed first, but a crucial exception applies: ingredients present at less than 1% concentration may be listed in any order at the end of the list.

According to a study published on ResearchGate in 2025, 60% of respondents felt more confident and made better choices after reading food labels, though a large percentage still do not use them consistently. This highlights a key challenge and opportunity: understanding how food labels can support consumers to make more informed decisions about their dietary and health needs.

Since January 2022, the USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard requires manufacturers to disclose bioengineered ingredients. This guide provides the tools to understand food labels, identify certifications, and navigate exemptions to avoid bioengineered ingredients.

In July 2023, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly urged the FDA to investigate the popular Prime energy drink, bringing the brand's practices under intense scrutiny in the US. The question, 'Why is Prime getting banned in the US?', arises from concerns over its extremely high caffeine content, potentially misleading marketing, and separate lawsuits alleging harmful chemicals.

According to the CDC, from 1998 to 2018, there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk, resulting in 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. Concerns over these outbreaks and the presence of dangerous bacteria are the primary reason why they are trying to ban raw milk sales in many jurisdictions.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most packaged foods sold in the United States must carry a Nutrition Facts panel. But is nutritional information mandatory on food labels in every case? The answer depends on several factors, including the type of food, where it's sold, and whether any specific claims are made about it.

According to the USDA, retailers must be authorized by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to accept EBT payments. This critical authorization process is a primary reason why a grocery store not accept EBT, alongside strict inventory and business criteria.

According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a mandatory green circle symbol signifies that a food product is 100% vegetarian. However, for consumers outside India, or when encountering a different symbol, the meaning may not be as straightforward. {Link: TNAU Agritech Portal http://www.agritech.tnau.ac.in/amis/food_veg_non.html}