Topic: Consumer Report

A Consumer Reports analysis of 23 popular protein powders and shakes found that more than two-thirds contained lead levels exceeding safety standards. Some products had ten times the daily limit of lead, which is a cumulative toxin that causes neurological damage. Plant-based proteins were found to have nine times more lead on average than dairy-based whey proteins, posing a significant risk to long-term users.

President Trump claims to have "fixed" inflation, citing a 2.4% rate for March and a rising stock market. He has offered temporary tariff exemptions to Apple and is considering similar moves for the auto industry to allow for supply chain adjustments. Economists remain divided on whether these single-month reports indicate a long-term positive trend or if tariffs will eventually drive prices higher.

Kraft Heinz announced it is removing Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program following a Consumer Reports study finding high levels of lead and sodium in the products. This move coincides with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, which targets processed foods in schools. The company cited a lack of demand, though health advocates view it as a victory for student nutrition.

A discussion on corporate litigation reveals that Bose was historically blacklisted by many tech and trade publications after the company sued Consumer Reports over a review of the Bose 901 speaker system. While Bose currently dominates the aviation headset market, the lawsuit is cited as a cautionary tale for manufacturers against suing reviewers, as it led to a long-term loss of editorial coverage in major magazines like PC Magazine.

Consumer Reports found high levels of lead and cadmium in store-bought Lunchables, with some kits reaching 74% of the maximum daily limit allowed in California. The group is petitioning the USDA to remove these products from the National School Lunch Program. Kraft Heinz defended the products, stating the minerals occur naturally in the environment.

A report from Consumer Watchdog warns that new car models with internet-connected vital systems are vulnerable to remote hacking. Demonstrations show hackers taking control of steering and braking, leading to calls for a physical "kill switch" to disconnect vehicle computers from the internet.

The hosts analyze a CBS News segment featuring Consumer Reports' reliability survey as a potential "native ad" for Lexus and Toyota. They point out the suspicious framing of the story, which highlighted Lexus's top ranking while specifically slamming competitors like Volvo and Tesla.

Consumer Reports declined to recommend the Tesla Model 3 after testing revealed the car's emergency braking distance was worse than a full-sized pickup truck. Elon Musk responded by promising a remote firmware update to improve braking performance, an industry first for a mechanical safety issue.

The safety of Tesla's AutoSteer feature is questioned following near-accidents during a road trip where the system almost veered off the road. The technology is compared to ballistic parachutes on Cirrus aircraft, suggesting it creates dangerous complacency in operators. This shift in perspective highlights the necessity of long-term product testing over initial "glowing" reviews to uncover fundamental flaws in high-tech products.

A lawsuit against Bose alleges the company's "Connect" app spies on users' listening habits and creates detailed profiles without consent. This leads to a discussion on how tech companies are "blackballed" by journalists and the industry when they become overly litigious or anti-consumer.

Former FBI agent Clinton Watts testifies before the Senate regarding the impact of Russian bots and manufactured information on social media. A proposal is discussed to create an "Information Consumer Reports" agency to rate news outlets with nutrition-style labels to combat sensationalism.

The hosts distinguish between "product placement," such as Starbucks cups on *Morning Joe*, and "native advertising," where news segments are paid for by corporations. They cite a *Wall Street Journal* article that transitioned into a pitch for a communications firm and a news report on car safety that suspiciously praised the Chevrolet Spark while panned the Honda Fit. They argue that television native ads are particularly "sinister" because they are difficult for the average viewer to detect.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the show discussing Easter traditions and the legality of Kinder eggs in the United States. Curry describes a successful resolution to a gnat infestation in his Austin studio using a Dynatrap device, which utilizes UV light and a fan to capture insects. The hosts debate the ethics of "catch and release" for household pests.

Consumer Reports labeled the Lexus GX460 "unsafe" due to rollover risks during high-speed turns, leading to a sales suspension. The hosts suggest the broader Toyota safety crisis is a geopolitical move to pressure Japan regarding US Treasuries. Evidence is cited suggesting congressional testimony was based on a manipulated wiring harness in a Prius.