California ruling could change Uber Canada’s model

TORONTO – A ruling from a California labour board that Uber drivers are employees of the company and not self-employed contractors sets a precedent that could spell trouble for the ride-sharing service’s Canadian operations.

The California Labor Commission said Wednesday in a non-binding decision that the San Francisco-based Uber Technologies Inc. was involved in “every aspect of the operation” of its ride-hailing service, opening the door for the company to eventually begin paying its drivers employee benefits such as vacation pay.

Harry Ghadban, a national representative for Unifor and former taxi driver, says the California decision, though it carries no weight in Canada, shows a major flaw in Uber’s business model.

Uber has vociferously argued that it merely acts as a facilitator for its drivers, who pick up fares through the company’s smartphone app and work on their own schedule.

On its website, the company flatly declares that it is not a transportation provider.

Ghadban argues that Uber is simply a taxi company with more sophisticated software.

“The decision says they’re a transportation company and therefore should be abiding by the rules and regulations set out for the taxi industry,” he added.

The company’s insistence that its drivers are independent contractors is a ploy to avoid having to pay the costs associated with running a taxi service, including the extended insurance required by most jurisdictions and other employment benefits, he said.

In a statement, Uber downplayed the impact of the ruling, pointing out that it is non-binding and only applies to a single driver.

“Indeed, it is contrary to a previous ruling by the same commission, which concluded in 2012 that the driver ‘performed services as an independent contractor, and not as a bona fide employee,'” the company said on its website.

Five other states have come to a similar conclusion as the 2012 ruling, the company added.

In Canada, Uber has courted controversy by skirting the regulations on taxi services, claiming that it has less responsibility for insurance and benefits than a traditional employer.

Uber has spread across Canada by focusing on seamless transactions through its mobile application and by using its low-cost model to undercut taxi prices.

The company’s service has divided opinion around the world.

The company operates in 57 countries and has faced protests, lawsuits, and hostile lawmakers in many of them including India, China, and the United Kingdom. Some places have banned the company outright, including Germany, France and Spain.

Toronto mayor John Tory has said municipalities and cab companies should work with the company, and some taxi services have released their own apps that mimic Uber’s GPS-enabled maps and credit-card payment system.

At the same time, other civic leaders and governments have cracked down on the company and its drivers with fines and new by-laws. Despite Tory’s comments and the company’s recent application for a taxi brokerage licence, lawyers from the City of Toronto are still pursuing an injunction to shut down Uber’s services.

While the company has a presence in Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax, it was forced to shut down after brief experiments in Vancouver and Calgary.

Ottawa South MPP John Fraser introduced a private member’s bill in the Ontario legislature in December to increase the punishment for drivers found to violate provincial taxi laws, including raising the fine for illegally transporting riders from $500 to $30,000 per offence.

Ross Wells, an employment lawyer at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, said that the relationship between Uber and its drivers is dramatically different from traditional employment relationships, but that new legislation is unnecessary.

“We have a detailed and developed series of tests and factors to look at when considering whether one is an employee or a contractor,” he said. “I don’t think that the Uber arrangement is unable to be examined under those tests.”

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People’s bank in crisis again: what should you do about the NatWest/RBS meltdown?

“RBS is suggesting that the delayed payments will be processed ‘no later than Saturday’. This looks unacceptable,” said Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the Treasury Committee. “Restoration of payments should be a top priority. It is crucial for those in the greatest financial need and also those who find it difficult to go to a branch.”

The payments to customers were delayed after the banking group was hit with another embarrassing computer meltdown yesterday.

The computer cock-up meant the payment had been delayed, the bank said, although that was of little comfort to hard-up customers hit when their essential tax credits or disability living allowance failed to arrive yesterday.

“This looks like a serious IT failure at RBS, the latest of many in the industry,” said Mr Tyrie. “Many thousands have once again been badly hit. Customers that have suffered loss should be reimbursed in full by RBS. It is also important that credit scores remain unaffected.”

The problems were fixed before yesterday lunchtime, the bank said, but admitted that some customers may see delays in receiving payments which could mean not seeing the cash in their accounts for some days.

But it was quick to reassure customers that it would recompense people who may have lost out because of the meltdown.

An RBS spokesman said: “We are aware of an issue which has resulted in a delay to payments and Direct Debits being applied to some customer accounts. We have fixed the underlying issue, we apologise for the inconvenience caused and we are working flat out to get these payments updated for our customers no later than Saturday.

“To any customers concerned about the implications of this issue we advise them to come into a branch or get in touch with our call centres where our staff will be ready to help. We will ensure no customers are left out of pocket as a result of this issue.”

It’s not the first time the state-owned bank has been guilty of IT problems. Nick Frankcom, money expert at uSwitch said: “The RBS group has a history of IT problems, and this latest issue will leave customers feeling short-changed yet again. Managing transactions is the main reason customers have a bank account in the first place.”

On Monday millions of Nationwide customers were unable to access their accounts online after internet banking and mobile banking as well as mobile payments were out of order. Problems had been caused by a planned upgrade on Sunday but were resolved within a couple of hours.

Q&A - How can I get my money?

Click on the video above to get some advice.

What went wrong?

The bank was hit with technical problems involving its “overnight process”, the group said, which left customers complaining yesterday morning of “missing” payments.

Is this the first time it’s happened?

No. The banking group was fined £56m by the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority last year for a major computer failure that left up to 6.5 million customers unable to use their account for up to three weeks in 2012. Then in 2013, RBS's online service was disrupted by a denial-of-service attack.

Will the bank be fined again?

Possibly. Andrew Tyrie of the Treasury Committee, said an apology and recompense from the bank isn’t enough this time and that it needs to ensure that the computer glitches stop happening. “These failures should concern both the conduct and prudential regulators,” he said. “I will be writing to the chief executive of RBS, the chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, and the chief executive of the Prudential Regulation Authority to obtain reassurance that the steps necessary to bring a halt to these failures are being taken.”

What should I do if I was affected?

Check your accounts to ensure that any delayed payments haven’t hit essential direct debits such as rent, mortgage or utility bills. Inform any companies or people expecting cash from you that it is delayed because of the RBS mess; that should help ensure you don’t get penalised for the bank’s errors.

What about if I need cash now?

The bank said that anyone affected who needed cash should phone 03457 242424 from mobiles, 0800 121129 from landlines or visit a local branch.

The Twitterstorm – “I had to leave my disabled husband and run home”

Many concerned RBS and NatWest customers from across the country turned to Twitter to complain yesterday. Joanna Lawson of Preston said: “My monthly Asda delivery has been cancelled due to no funds in account, I was relying on it.”

Diane Weavin branded the problems “a joke” after reporting: “At the petrol station had to leave my disabled husband there to run home to get the cash. Not impressed!”

Meanwhile Kirsty tweeted: “Mine’s missing, hurry up got bills to pay and overdraft from you, can't pay till you get my money back.”

Dr Sharon Connor said: “DWP payment due today has not been received.” By lunchtime RBS tweeted: “We have fixed the underlying issue, and are working flat out to get these payments updated.”

But Cristie Smedley from Cardiff wrote: “This is unacceptable once again for the 3rd time in a year! If it was us making late payments we would all be charged.”

Tony Sharpe from Bournemouth hit out at the continued delays. “Payments to arrive by Saturday?!?! There are people who won't be able to eat, pay for electric etc... Pay today. Disgraceful?”

When the RBS social media team responded with a standard response he added: “You don't understand my frustration as you have food to eat tonight. I can make instant transfer, why on earth can't RBS?”

L J Ellwood from Wales said the bank should have warned customers about the problems. She wrote: “It is utterly disgraceful that you have not made ANY effort to contact customers & we are finding out via media!”

Others decided enough was enough and threatened to switch banks. Gemma-Marie Lanigan of Southport said she had problems with online bank thinkmoney too and after not getting a satisfactory response said: “Off to Lloyds to open an account. @thinkmoney and @RBS_Help are the worst banks ever!”

Letter from the Personal Finance Editor – RBS deserves no sympathy after yet another blunder

How many times can you tolerate your bank messing up access to your cash? For millions of NatWest and RBS customers, not to mention those of Coutts and Ulster Bank, yesterday could have been one computer cock-up too far.

When the group left millions with no access to their bank account for weeks back in 2012, you might have assumed it had learned a big lesson. The subsequent £56m fine by the financial authorities certainly cost it a pretty penny.

When there were problems in 2013, customers’ patience would have worn a little bit thinner. But now it seems that what the bank blames on “the complexity of the Group’s IT infrastructure” and “overlapping multiple legacy systems” may be an insurmountable problem, at least in the short-term.

Frankly you should have no sympathy with the bank’s continuing problems. The fact that it is quick to apologise and promises that no customers will be left out of pocket is not good enough.

What you need from your bank is continuity of service. You need to know that payments will be made and received on time, so your finances don’t spiral out of your control.

RBS has consistently demonstrated that it can’t provide that. It’s time to find a bank that can.

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Poundland more expensive than supermarkets? When the budget store costs a lot more

How do you sell big, branded goods for £1 a throw and still run a profitable business? Well, there are two main ways. The first is to keep costs low, negotiate amazing deals with suppliers and save money on overheads.

The second is to sell smaller quantities.

Pound shops aren't the only people looking to sell goods cheaply with big buying power and that means even though things cost a pound, they might well be more expensive than the big supermarkets – who are free to sell things at whatever price they like.

There are a lot of deals to be found, especially around chocolate, but in a lot of cases shopping at Poundland will leave you worse off.

We've taken a look to see what costs more at Poundland, once size is included, and found cheaper prices everywhere from to Aldi, and even .

Poundland's chief executive, Jim McCarthy defended his shops' prices. “We conduct price surveys every two weeks against the supermarkets and we believe we are 40% cheaper or more against 1,000 branded products," he told the Mirror.

“On a like for like comparison Poundland’s value, across our whole range, is compelling which is why over 5.5 million savvy customers shop at Poundland every week."

So what costs more? This is what we found:

Who's cheapest for milk?

Poundland milk

50p

Poundland price per litre

39.2p

Supermarket price per litre

22%

Cheaper at the supermarket

Where beans cost least

£1 of Heinz Cream of Chicken Soup

580g

Poundland

600g

Morrisons

Where Coke costs the least

Ambrosia Rice Pudding

29%

Cheaper at the supermarket

Prices via MySupermarket, checked on 27/4/2015

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If they don't get help, debtors face 30 years of financial hell

Christians Against Poverty examined evidence from the past year to discover that the average debt and average income per household of the people it helped were almost the same at just over £13,000.

But those who do reach out for help can avoid 30 years of hell. One solution for those facing repaying their debts for more than five years can be insolvency or a debt relief order. Others can get on top of their debts with the right budgeting and money management advice.

But there are extreme situations where the balance of income to debt is too tight, reckons Mark Cowley, the charity’s insolvency advice manager. “Last year 160 clients would have been paying off their debts for more than 100 years had we not given them the opportunity to clear the debt, mostly through debt relief orders.”

In one shocking case a woman who earned just enough to cover rent, food and utility bills was left with a disposable income of just 1p a month – leaving her debt problems spiralling out of control.

There are many people in dangerous debt who don’t seek help. That can be because of pride or embarrassment; some think they may have failed because they’ve got into debt difficulties, while others believe they need to sort it out for themselves.

Both are wrong. Debt charities are there to help and not judge. Debt can be totally debilitating but talking about it can be the first step towards dealing with it, no matter how desperate your situation seems. “We love tackling the seemingly impossible,” says Mark Cowley. “It gives us a real kick to be able to take away a burden like that from someone.”

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with debt, do seek help. There is plenty of free advice out there. Start with capuk.org or search for debt charities online.

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Kids with Food Allergies Community Food-Allergic Airline Passengers Left Stranded After Court Dismisses Case, Legal Advocates Say

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What happens if a passenger has an allergic reaction on a plane and tries to sue the airline?

For one woman, not only did a court dismiss her case, but now the airline is going after her for their legal costs. Passengers with food allergies are “up a creek without a paddle,”

That’s because federal law protects airlines from such lawsuits. The law says that a state cannot “enact or enforce a law…related to price, route, or service of an air carrier.”

 

The woman boarded a United Airlines plane in Florida to go to Chicago in the 2011 incident. However, the crew refused to make an announcement asking passengers in the rows around her not to eat peanuts - something the airline had told her it would do. The plane made an emergency landing in another state after she had a severe reaction. Someone four rows behind her started to eat peanuts during the flight. She spent two days in intensive care.

"Unfortunately, trying to get the laws to change is a tough battle,” said Laurel Francoeur, Esq., one of the three lawyers behind the Allergy Law Project.

Laurel did a .

The only option for concerned flyers with food allergies right now is to contact their representative in Congress and ask for changes to the Airline Deregulation Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Those are the laws that make it next-to-impossible for a passenger to hold an airline liable for food allergy issues (or other disability issues) while aboard a flight.

Kids With Food Allergies and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America are monitoring this issue and will update you as we learn more. Please  and we will keep you informed.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sadly, when it comes to airline travel it is not just the potential food allergens, but the animal dander as well. I have a severe allergic reaction to all dogs, and a potentially fatal reaction to cats. It doesn't matter if they are 4 rows away or 40, the hazard is there, especially in a tin can of pressurized air. I try to travel by car as much as possible, but sometimes it just isn't feasible. I try to prepare for the possibility of animals on board, and can semi control when exposed to a dog, though I am sick for a few days afterwards... there really isn't much I can do to counteract the cat dander and just have to hope and pray I never end up on a flight with one!

 

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It would not matter whether the pet was on the plane or not, the pet owners are covered in their pet dander you are going to react to the owners if the pets are left at home. 

While we too deal with significant allergies that prevent us from using public/ private(airlines are a private industry) transit as much as we would like for our child, it isn't the worlds job to go pet free, peanut free, dairy free, corn free, gluten free, soy free- etc.   

We simply drive and do what we can to keep her safe. 

It would be like an immune deficient patient demanding everyone on the plane wear gloves, masks, and suiting up so they could safely fly.  

 I do wish for safer food labeling laws.  Most recently the articles that  most  gluten free vitamins actually have gluten.. we have to avoid corn derived ingredients, everything is corn tainted.  Foods should come with full disclosure labeling.   

 

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We the allergy community have a strong case arguing for *reasonable accommodations*. For food, that is clear labeling of intended ingredients and of trace levels of common allergens. The argument is all the stronger in the air, and ought to appear completely reasonable to the airlines. It would seem that requiring labeling by their caterers is a small price to pay to avoid bad press, for goodwill, and for good corporate citizenship.

 

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Kids with Food Allergies Community 7 Road Trip Tips for Travel with Food Allergies

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Traveling by car with small children has its own challenges. When you have a family member with food allergies, the challenges are different. Here are seven tips to get you started in planning your next road trip.

Decide what foods to prepare beforehand so you can have heat-and-serve or ready-to-eat snacks or meals on the road. Decide what you can buy at your destination or along the way. Research what is available at your vacation spot to minimize packing and leave room in your car.

Bring a cooler or a portable refrigerator that plugs into car and hotel outlets to keep fresh food cold while you travel.

Rooms with microwaves are useful if you plan to reheat foods or cook in the hotel room. Telling hotel management you need a fridge for medical reasons puts you at the top of the list for availability. Bring a letter of medical necessity from a doctor, as most hotels will waive any refrigerator rental fees.

   

When you purchase food, try to get as many individually packaged foods as possible. For instance, use your limited refrigerator space to store juice boxes instead of a big bottle of juice.

Remember that grocery stores are almost everywhere. Bring less perishable food than you think you need. Many foods, like fresh fruit, are available at any standard grocery store. Bring more non-perishable food than you think you need. Specialty items, such as wheat-free cookies or your favorite allergen-free brands, may not available at a regular grocery store. Bring those allergen-free foods that you know are safe and that your child is familiar with eating.

For foods you know you will need at your destination, consider ordering online or locally. Have the items shipped to your hotel.

Be sure to check expiration dates on epinephrine auto-injectors. Plan to bring, if possible, 2 two-packs of auto-injectors. This is a good time to practice with an auto-injector trainer and review with your family an emergency plan away from home. Consider bringing extra medication in case of an emergency. Inhaled medications frequently run out unexpectedly. A duplicate can be a lifesaver.

When traveling, make sure your child's medications are in their original containers with the prescription labels on the package.

Car travel with food allergies requires you to do advance planning. Once you make your vacation plans, families living with food allergies can have lots of fun and stay safe on the road!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Drink up!

A new study shows that many kids aren’t drinking enough water

A new study shows that many kids aren’t drinking enough water

Kids should drink between 10 and 14 cups every day, according to a new study

Summer is almost here, and the weather is heating up.  Are you drinking enough water? Many kids aren’t, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

The study’s lead author, Erica Kenney, a scientist at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, originally planned to look into the amount of sugary drinks kids were consuming in schools. However, during her research she found that many kids were simply not drinking enough water.

Kenney and her team examined data from a group of 4,000 children, ages 6 to19, between the years of 2009 and 2012. The data was taken from the National Health and Nutrition Survey, a study on the health of children in the United States conducted each year by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

While looking through the survey results, she noticed that more than half of the kids who participated were dehydrated. Of that group, boys were 76% more likely than girls to not have enough water in their system. Nearly one quarter of the kids in the survey reported drinking no plain water at all.

“These findings are significant because they highlight a potential health issue that has not been given a lot of attention in the past,” Kenney said in a statement. “Even though for most of these kids this is not an immediate, dramatic health threat, this is an issue that could really be reducing quality of life and well-being for many children and youth.”

The human body is made up of 60% water. It regulates body temperature, delivers oxygen all over the body, assists in digestion, and performs various other tasks that keep our bodies healthy.

Not drinking enough water can lead to health problems such as headaches, irritability, poor physical performance, and even more serious issues.  Your body needs more water when you are in hot climates, when you are physically active, and if you have a fever.

The United States National Agriculture Library says on average, kids need between 10 to 14 cups of water every day. This water can come from a mix of drinks and foods that contain high amounts of water, such as celery, melons, or tomatoes. It is also recommended that fluids come from water instead of sugary drinks that are high in calories and can lead to weight problems.

“The good news is that this is a public health problem with a simple solution,” said senior author on the study and professor health sociology at Harvard University, Steven Gortmaker. “If we can focus on helping children drink more water – a low cost, no calorie beverage – we can improve their hydration status, which may allow many children to feel better throughout the day and do better in school.”

The United States Center for Disease Control offers the following tips for people to stay hydrated:

Carry a water bottle for easy access.

Freeze some freezer-safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long.

Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. This tip can also help with weight management. Substituting water for one 20-ounce sugar-sweetened soda will save you about 240 calories.

Choose water instead of other beverages when eating out. Generally, you will save money and reduce calories.

Give your water a little pizzazz by adding a wedge of lime or lemon. This may improve the taste, and you just might drink more water than you usually do.

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Kids with Food Allergies Community Wheat Allergy Alert - Big Easy Foods Louisiana Cuisine Poultry Products

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Congressional and Public Affairs 
Benjamin Bell
(202) 720-9113

 

 Big Easy Foods Louisiana Cuisine, Inc., a Lake Charles, La. establishment, is recalling approximately 93,006 pounds of both raw and cooked stuffed chicken product due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains wheat, a known allergen which is not declared on the product label. 

The following products are subject to recall:

The products were produced on various dates from June 9, 2013, through June 9, 2015. The products bear the establishment number “13251” inside the USDA mark of inspection and have the sell by date printed on the product label. The products were shipped to retail outlets in Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Arizona, Florida, and Tennessee.

The problem was discovered on June 8, 2015 when FSIS personnel observed that the chicken stuffing was formulated with an ingredient that contained wheat gluten.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.  

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify theircustomers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at .

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Mitzie Midkiff at Big Easy Foods Louisiana Cuisine Customer Service at 1-337-477-9296 ext 1133. Media with questions about the recall can contact Brittany Prejean at Big Easy Foods Louisiana Cuisine Media Relations hotline at 1-337-477-9296 ext 1123.

 

 

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STOP SENDING EMAILS PLEASE!!

Sent from Type Mail

 

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Princess Bella - if you change your notification settings, you won't receive emails.

 

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Kids with Food Allergies Community Kids with Food Allergies Take Their Epinephrine on Class Trips and Vacations!

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In honor of Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, we selected two winners in May for our year-long  campaign.

Meet Jude, 4, and JCS, 13!

Jude is from Avon Lake, Ohio. He is allergic to wheat, barley, oats, rye, peanuts and eggs. Jude and his family visited Paris in May. His mom said, "It's always a challenge traveling with food allergies, but it's worth it for the experiences!"

JCS, a 7th grader from New York City, enjoyed a safe class trip to Washington, D.C. this spring. Her mom, who has three children with multiple food allergies, worked with restaurants beforehand so she could have safe meals. JCS brought some extra safe food just in case. 

"The trip went off without a hitch!" her mom wrote.

JCS also presented several food allergy awareness programs for her entire middle school during the month of 

 

  

Where do you take your or your child's epinephrine? Show us your epinephrine when you hit the road this summer! Add your photo to our campaign and the next  winner could be you! (You do not need to show your auto-injectors - just show us a photo of where you have taken them with you in your photos.)

Studies show 

Remember,  is the only treatment for anaphylaxis (anna-fih-LACK-sis). Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that must be treated immediately.

.

To enter, share your photo with the hashtag #WhereInTheWorldIsMyEpinephrine on the platform of your choice:
• On our website -  (must login or register first)
• On  
• Instagram (tag )
• Twitter (tag )
• Pinterest (follow us )

For contest rules, click .

This campaign is sponsored by Mylan Specialty, maker of the EpiPen™ brand of epinephrine auto-injector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kids with Food Allergies Community New Food Find: Mac & Cheese Options for Milk Allergy, Soy Allergy, Wheat Allergy

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These #NewFoodFinds make enjoying macaroni and cheese easier for those who have multiple food allergies. Sure, it’s nice to be able to make mac and cheese from scratch (such as with this recipe for  – it is top 8 free!) But it’s also nice to have safe boxed macaroni and cheese in your pantry for when you are in a rush.

, known for soy- and dairy-free cheese alternatives, launched 3 boxed dinners: Deluxe Cheddar Style, Deluxe Alfredo Style, and White Cheddar Style. Instead of using a powder packet like traditional boxed mac and cheese dinners, Daiya's sauce comes in a squeezable pouch. The dinners are also wheat-free/gluten-free, using brown rice pasta. The dinners are available in some supermarkets, like Kroger and Fred Meyer, now. Like other Daiya products, they have pea protein and coconut.

 

 

Here are the ingredients for the Deluxe Cheddar Style: Brown rice pasta (whole grain brown rice, rice bran, water), filtered water, tapioca starch, non-GMO expeller pressed: canola and/or safflower oil, coconut oil, sea salt, vegan natural flavors, pea protein isolate, potato protein, tricalcium phosphate, evaporated cane sugar, lactic acid (vegan, for flavor), xanthan gum, yeast extract, titanium dioxide (naturally occurring mineral), annatto (color), onion, vitamin B12.

 recently introduced Vegan Mac Uncheddar. This is a creamy and delicious alternative that’s “authentically cheesy, without the cheese.” Because it does not have any wheat, gluten, dairy, egg, nut or soy ingredients, Vegan Mac Uncheddar is a great option for many food allergy families. This non-GMO pasta is made in a facility that is gluten-free and certified organic and Kosher.

Ingredients: White & Brown Rice Flour, Pea Protein Powder, Organic Maltodextrin, Sunflower Oil Powder IP, Sea Salt, Organic Corn Starch, Fructooligosaccharides, Citric Acid, Paprika Extract.

Vegan Mac Uncheddar is available , at Sprouts stores nationwide, and is being rolled out to other stores as well. You can find the store nearest you .

The Daiya and Pastariso boxed mac and cheese joins other available options, including:

•  – Earth Balance offers two vegan mac and cheese products: Vegan Cheddar Mac & Cheese, and Vegan White Cheddar Mac & Cheese. Both combine creamy, cheesy flavor with bite-sized pasta. And both are non-GMO and free of dairy, egg and trans fats. These contain wheat.  to find a store near you.

 

•  – Amy’s Kitchen makes a gluten-, dairy- and soy-free mac and cheese product featuring rice pasta and Daiya brand dairy-free cheese: Rice Macaroni with Dairy-Free Cheeze. This mac and cheese is also vegan and certified Kosher.  or  to find a store near you.

 

•  – Road’s End Organics has been offering organic and dairy-free Mac & Chreese® pasta dinners since 1998. Current options include Mac & Chreese Cheddar Style (dairy- and soy-free), 123-ABC's & Chreese Cheddar Style (dairy- and soy-free), Shells & Chreese Cheddar Style (dairy- and soy-free), Penne & Chreese Cheddar Style (gluten-, dairy- and soy-free), and Mac & Chreese Alfredo Style (gluten-, dairy- and soy-free). Some varieties contain mustard.  at or  to find a store near you.

The information shared here is for your convenience only; it is not an endorsement or guarantee of the product's safety. Please read the ingredient labels and contact the manufacturer if needed to confirm the safety for your child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comparison sites face accusations of price-fixing and hiding better deals from British consumers

Millions have saved often hundreds of pounds every year by using a comparison site to switch energy supplier, or credit card, or savings account.

But that doesn't mean they're putting consumers first. They're not. They are profit-making businesses and they make a pretty penny every time we buy through them. And critics accuse them of deliberately guiding us to the deals through which they make the most commission.

"Some people could end up buying the wrong product because they went to the wrong comparison site," warned Anna Bowes of Savings Champion. "Savers don't know whether they're looking at a 'best buy' or not, as comparison sites have a commercial arrangement with some savings institutions to make them look more attractive."

The consumer group Which? has a website that offers best-buy tables to members. But chief executive Peter Vicary-Smith reckons those that don't offer deals from the whole of the market can't claim to be impartial. "With any of these people, if you are setting yourself up, as we do, to be whole of market then you have to be genuinely whole of market," he told The Independent. "You have got to be absolutely impartial in what you recommend.

"We have always done well whenever anyone has looked at Which? price-comparison areas, just because we are so certain we have to be whole of market, squeaky clean."

Business news in pictures

 

The truth is that comparing products is big business. The comparison sites don't reveal how much they get paid as it is "commercially sensitive". But for passing on a current account customer to a bank or a dual-fuel household to an energy firm, they will typically earn commission of around £50, according to one industry insider who spoke off the record to The Independent.

That amount climbs to £70 or more on certain deals, the higher fee apparently guaranteeing a prominent position on some comparison sites.

On Monday, Channel 4's Dispatches programme revealed that Confused.com showed savings accounts from only a small range of companies. "In the tests we carried out, Confused.com performed the worst by far," Dispatches said. "Its best buys would have left us more than £500 a year worse off, compared with the best buys from the other sites."

While comparison sites often highlight deals from companies with which they have commercial relationships, they normally allow consumers to see the rest of the market by clicking "View More". Confused.com did not do this, and after the matter was brought to its attention, it said: "We've suspended our savings offering as we look for ways to make improvements."

Last week Moneysupermarket.com and uSwitch.com faced accusations of price-fixing from Ofgem. The energy regulator is investigating whether there has been information sharing about the commission rates charged to energy suppliers.

Will Hodson of the consumer collective The Big Deal, said: "These giant companies have always been driven by profit. For years they hid the best deals on the energy market, simply because they didn't earn them a kickback.

"Such arrogance shows the extent to which comparison sites have taken the public's trust for granted. With the energy regulator now investigating them for price fixing, the price-comparison crisis has reached new depths."

There could be further examination ahead. Mr Vicary-Smith warned: "I think we are going to see some investigation of the market by the Competition and Markets Authority."

Dan Howdle of the comparison site Cable.co.uk said: "The best way to decide who you can trust is check for regulatory oversight. We're Ofgem accredited for broadband, TV, fixed-line and SIM. Accreditation requires a lot of hard work to acquire and to maintain, which is a fundamental commitment to ethics above profit."

Comparison sites: The case for

Lee Griffin, chief innovation officer at Gocompare.com, commented: "Comparison sites have been a significant force for good and have collectively saved consumers billions of pounds on their household bills.

"As well as making it very easy to compare a broad range of financial products, they have encouraged consumers to take control of their finances, to question whether their loyalty to providers is being rewarded, and to switch to deals which offer better value for money.

"They have also enabled smaller providers to shake up the insurance, energy and banking markets by being able to compete on a level playing field – their products displayed side by side with much bigger brands.

"Before comparison sites, it would have been virtually impossible for the likes of Extra Energy or First Utility to compete on equal terms with British Gas and the other major energy companies, for example, but it's this increased competition which has helped to drive down household bills.

"Gocompare.com is a business but we only earn money when a customer saves money. We are committed to offering a fair and transparent service where a broad range of products from a broad range of providers are displayed according to their own merits."

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5 things the wartime spirit can teach us about saving money

“Blitz” is the German word for “lightning”, the quaint name given to the heavy and frequent bombing attacks on London during WWII. Brits love to invoke the “spirit of the Blitz”, the way we pulled together during those dark times.

Except “we” didn’t include the rich. Most of them escaped to the country while the poor and working classes were left to take the hit. They’re the ones who left us with lessons from the Blitz, and in these times of falling wages and rising prices, it might be time to check out wartime lessons in frugality.

So, , here are some things we could do well with remembering:

Food for a week back in 1941

If we had rations, we'd be limited to buying one egg a week (if you can find a shop that will sell loose eggs), about four rashers of bacon, about 115g of margarine, 28g of cheese and about 230g of sugar (they may have had slightly different ideas about what constituted a healthy diet back then).

You can find out .

We have supermarkets with 2 for 1 deals.

And you can use (willing) child labour

Obviously wartime Brits didn’t just eat bacon sugar and cheese sandwiches. People were encouraged to become self-sufficient when it came to fruit and veg. The Dig for Victory campaign had people growing their own five-a-day in gardens and allotments, and the BBC even used to report weekly on the progress of its “radio allotment”.

Yet today, growing your own veg has somehow got a reputation as a middle-class endeavour for people with too much time on their hands, perhaps because of the supermarkets’ successful campaigns to make us believe what they offer is actually cheap.

More than just a pretty space

If you have a garden, growing your own fruit and veg costs you little but your time. Allotments costs vary from £50 to £200 a year – but always work out cheaper than a weekly veg shop. Unless you mainly eat bacon sugar and cheese sandwiches.

You can or search for .

Time for sugar-coated bacon and egg tea

Using leftovers is something we still applaud if done well enough that you can’t taste the “yesterdayness” of the ingredients, but in 1940 wasting food was a criminal offense. No pressure.

I don’t know about you, but when I think about wartime recipes I draw a blank after bubble and squeak. Luckily, it’s not 1940: We have bloggers now, one of which has . If your tastes are more exotic, check out these and tips on .

Darn, I look good

“Fashion on the ration” was pretty creative during the war, and capturing it in 2015 could do your purse strings a favour.

Do you have a sewing kit? If not, buy or borrow one because some of the wartime tips are priceless, and worth a go. Worn pair of pants? Patch it up with material from another pair. Same with socks – in fact, the next time you get a hole in the big toe of your sock, why not hang on to it and use it to patch up the next one? What do you mean because socks only cost £1? THIS IS WAR.

Alternatively, you can check out our tips for and - and use the savings to buy yourself some decadent, 21st century-style knickers.

We have to teach you how to mend and even make your own clothes.

We have , where you can buy certain garments for really really cheap so that when it falls apart, you have some material with which to darn socks and pants.

Saving energy, 1940s-style

In September 1939, before the war even started, blackout regulations were imposed on Britain as they figured enemy aircraft would have a tougher time navigating a bomb target without lights on the ground. This was a drag, but it saved a lot of energy. One light at a time, that was the rule.

Today, energy is scarcer than it was during the war and you may have noticed it’s also . So perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to pretend, for the sake of our bills, that we’re avoiding an air raid. Check out our and .

You don’t also have to cover your windows with paint or cardboard or heavy-duty curtains, so you should still be able to successfully make it to the bathroom.

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Kids with Food Allergies Community Food Allergy To-Do Lists Before School Ends for Summer Break

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Around the U.S., school days are winding down, if they are not over already! As a parent of a child with food allergies, there are a few remaining items on your to-do list.

  

Is your child's class having an end-of-year party or field day activity? Make sure there is something on the menu your child can enjoy.

On the last day of school, collect your child’s unused medication from the school nurse. This includes epinephrine autoinjectors, and possibly other medicines as well, such as asthma rescue inhalers and antihistamine.

  

 If the medicine is still good, you can give it to a summer camp if your child is attending one. Or, take it along as extras if you are going on vacation – it is always a good idea to have extras handy when you are far from home.

If the nurse or a teacher had emergency food (like in case your child forgot lunch) or a safe snack stash, pick that up as well.

   

Don’t forget to think ahead to the beginning of the next school year. Your school nurse will need new medical authorization forms and emergency action plans for the next school year. Make sure you have your annual allergist appointment scheduled before next school year begins. Many parents take their children to allergy appointments during the summer so kids don’t miss school.

Thank your school staff for a great year, and then go relax and have fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kids with Food Allergies Community Tree Nut Allergy Alert (Hazelnut) - Whole Foods Market Oakland Store Jivara Lactee Milk Chocoloate Valrhona Cut and Wrap Pieces

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Consumer:
510-834-9800

Media:
Michael Silverman

512.542.3031

– May 23, 2015 – Oakland, CA – Whole Foods Market's Oakland store located at 230 Bay Place is voluntarily recalling Jivara Lactee Milk Chocolate Valrhona cut and wrap pieces due to undeclared hazelnuts on the product label. People who have an allergy or sensitivity to hazelnuts run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product.

The recalled product came in pieces wrapped in clear plastic wrap. The recall includes all Jivara Lactee Milk Chocolate Valrhona cut and wrap pieces packed on dates prior to May 19th 2015. This product's UPC code is 250344025508.

This recall only applies to Whole Foods Market's Oakland store. One mild reaction has been reported to-date. Customers who have purchased this product should discard it and may bring in their receipt for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Whole Foods Market's Oakland store at 510-834-9800 from 8:00 am – 10:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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