Taco Bell cuts back on salt, a new F-150 takes crash test

HOUSTON – Ford's new 2015 F-150 has been making headlines for its weight-saving quality created by its new aluminum hood, body panels and cargo box.

This gives the gives the new model two advantages: a lighter truck can handle a heavier payload and it could also achieve better fuel economy.

Another advantage Ford said about the new model is that the aluminum model was more difficult to dent.  

Edmonds.com wanted to see if it was dented, what the repairs would cost for a new model such as this. For their test, they took a sledge hammer and damaged their new vehicle. Then, they took it to a repair shop.

The website discovered that it takes more time, unique tools and specialized training to fix aluminum body panels.

They also uncovered that whether it's higher labor rates or longer service times, the repair for the aluminum model will cost 77 percent more than the steel model.

In other consumer news, savings accounts millions of people count on to help pay for health and childcare expenses, may be going away soon.

President Barack Obama has proposed eliminating the dependent care savings account that let many families avoid paying taxes on some child care costs.

Instead, the White House wanted to give middle class families with young children a tax cut of up to $3000 per child.

Flexible spending accounts may also be on the chopping block. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the healthcare overhaul may make it too expensive for businesses to allow employees to contribute and defer paying taxes on a chunk of their pay to use for health expenses.

In other news surrounding health, Taco Bell's menu items are packing less salt in response to consumer demand for healthier fare.

The restaurant's food items contain 15 percent less on average since 2009.

Taco Bell is also working to make 15 percent of its menu conform to recommended mealtime limits for salt, sugar, and fats by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved the merger of Safeway and Albertson's.

The merger is a shake-up in the grocery industry and will make Safeway a bigger competitor to Kroger.

A store that may be affected by the merger in the Houston area is Randall's, because it's owned by Safeway. Randall's stores could lower the prices to be more competitive throughout the Houston area.


About the Authors:

Passionate consumer advocate, mom of 3, addicted to coffee, hairspray and pastries.