ICYMI: Cheddar Cheese Recall, Worst Vacuums, Plus What to Buy Instead

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) linked seven cases of E. coli to Raw Farm Raw Cheddar cheese, the agency issued a notice. In turn, Raw Farm disputed the FDA’s findings and declined to recall its products. CR’s experts—including James E. Rogers, PhD, director of product and food safety research and testing at CR—advise anyone who has recently purchased Raw Farm cheddar cheese to throw it out and not purchase it again until more information is available or until the outbreak has ended.

• Walmart’s Great Value Cottage Cheese
• Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice (and more from Ajinomoto Foods North America)
• Grated cheeses from Ambriola, Boar’s Head, Locatelli, and more

We love recommending the best products—and we’ll continue to do so—but sometimes we like to highlight the mediocre, too. We’ve recently reported on the worst products in a variety of categories, from vacuums and frying pans to laundry detergents. In each case, we highlighted some terrible (or not-so-good) options and offered better alternatives.

• Instead of the Mainstays Bagless Upright, which performs abysmally in our carpet-cleaning tests, try this Shark upright vacuum.
• Instead of the Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick, which has a middling durability score, try this Le Creuset nonstick frying pan.
• Instead of the Dirty Labs Bio Free & Clear, which is by far the least effective liquid detergent we tested, try this Tide liquid laundry detergent.

“Thoroughly inspecting any used car you intend to buy is a crucial step in the purchasing process,” says Jon Linkov, CR’s autos editor. We cover this and more in our latest step-by-step guide to buying a used car without costly regrets. (If you’re looking for a hybrid car or a hatchback, these top-rated 5-year-old models are the most fuel-efficient.)

1. Take a test-drive
2. Check for recalls
3. Contact the previous owner

There’s a reason “it’s as easy as falling off a bike” is a common turn-of-phrase, says Linkov. While getting injured while biking is always a possibility, there are also some easy precautions to take, both before you mount your bike and while you’re out on the road. 

• Wear a bike helmet and easily visible cycling clothing
• Use your front and rear lights at all times
• Don safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris

After what’s felt like the longest winter on record (at least for those of us suffering in the colder parts of the United States), we’re looking ahead to getting outside and being seen in the spring and summer of 2026. We’ve expanded our beauty and personal care coverage to include the best hot combs. “There are levels to straightening hair,” writes Jennifer Ford. While some people love a flat iron, a hot comb can take it a step further, straightening hair from root to tip in a way a flat iron usually can’t. 

We’ve also recently published articles on the best self-tanners and nail clippers—just some of what you’ll need for a safe, healthy, tidy, and (hopefully) hot summer ahead. (For staying cool, consider 2025’s ultimate heat survival guide.)

Writer Courtney Lindwall found that swapping her iPhone for the Nokia 2780 Flip—a bare-bones device frequently recommended by “dumb phone” devotees on Reddit—helped her slash her daily screen time (by three entire hours). She cooked more. She read more. She felt things: Boredom. Loneliness. Calmness. Clarity.

Though a dumb phone may not be for everyone, especially those who have difficulty getting from point A to point B, Lindwall shares her journey with the Nokia 2780 Flip and what to consider if you want to ditch your iPhone, too.

We’re constantly testing the latest products and retesting existing stock.

• We tested new smartwatches and fitness trackers. Find our latest ratings here.
• We added a new batch of cooktops to our ratings. Read more about our best induction, electric, and gas cooktops of 2026.
• We assessed new drip coffee makers. For more coffee makers—from single-serve to cold-brew—check out our ratings.