Government: Oops, we need our money back.

It turns out the IRS made a mistake. Guess who gets to pay for it.
Remember the big tax rebate we all got as part of the Economic Stimulus Plan? Ok, so maybe you never saw a check in the mail but you did get about 10 extra dollars on each paycheck.

The Washington Post and AP say more than 15 million taxpayers may owe the government.

It turns out the IRS forgot to factor in those of us who have a spouse who also works, that some people work two jobs, or if you are retired. So, say for example you work 2 jobs. You were only supposed to get $400, but because the government's goof-up you actually received $800. When tax time come, you'll have to give that money back.

Coming Clean About Detergent Labels

Some laundry detergents claim to be kinder on the environment, or to be hypoallergenic.

But the simple truth is that there is no govermental oversight on those claims. Consumer Reports recently tested 2 detergents, Simplicity Hypoallergenic Non-Toxic 2X and Seventh Generation Natural Powdered HE (HE refers "high efficiency" washers which use less water), both of which claim to be hypoallergenic -- but the warning labels caution that the detergents can cause eye, skin, or respiratory irritation.

image: http://www.annemcallister.com

The Battle to Legalize Cheerios

On Cheerios®  packaging, General Mills claims that Cheerios is "clinically proven to lower cholesterol." 

The FDA is saying that there's plenty wrong with that statement and other health claims on the Cheerios® box.  The FDA has issued a warning letter the cereal company General Mills, saying that it has "determined that [your] Cheerios® Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal is promoted for conditions that cause it to be a drug because the product is intended for use in the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of disease."

That's right, the FDA is saying that Cheerios being sold as a drug -- specifially, an unauthorized new drug!

The FDA wants General Mills to change the claims on the Cheerios® box.  Failure to do so may result in "enforcement action" including seizure of products by the FDA.

The FDA also posts responses to their warning letters on their website, so I'm sure there will be more of this to come.