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www.thecai.ie
When it comes
DECEMBER 2018 / JANAUARY 2019
to consumer
challenges, be
a bright spark
with Consumer
Choice
MONEY LIFESTYLE PRODUCT TESTS
GADGET INSURANCE CHOICE BUY ROUNDUP SMARTPHONES
FINANCIAL PLANNING JUICE CLEANSES TABLET PCS
CONSUMER SPENDING INTERNET SECURITY MICROWAVE OVENS
www.thecai.ie
The December 2018 / January 2019
Consumers'
Association of Dear Member,
Ireland
It is the end of the year and we must reflect on one legislative provision limiting their charges or business
The Council is the particular area of consumer detriment that, despite model.
policy-making body our best efforts across the year, remains to be an issue.
of CAI. Members are In November 2017, we launched our Credit Where It’s So, we end 2018 with business-as-usual and Irish
elected from within Due campaign to, once again, try to focus the attention consumers at a distinct, continuing disadvantage.
the CAI's membership of Government on the need for regulation around
at the Annual General the validity periods for credit notes, gift tokens and Efforts at Government level progress to remedy this
Meeting. vouchers. issue and so we will end the year by thanking them and
wishing them well in their endeavours – and ours – to
Council In doing so we wrote directly to the chief executives of bring sanity in 2019 to these unfair practices.
Members both the Irish Business and Employers Confederation
(IBEC) and Retail Ireland. No reply was received and so Therefore, with hope in our hearts and determination as
Chairperson we understood from the outset just how difficult this our goal we thank you for your enormous support and
Michael Kilcoyne was going to be. This was not, in any way, unexpected. contribution and wish you, your families, friends and
Vice-Chairperson After all, why would retailers wish to close out on a loved ones a very happy Christmas and an especially
Raymond O'Rourke
self-serving system where cash paid across the counter peaceful and healthy New Year.
Hon Secretary
Elaine Bolger
by the customer would be devalued to a nil value over a
Hon Treasurer maximum period of retailer-determined 12-months! Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh go
Richard Donohue Léir.
Council Members The outlier in all of this was always going to be the gift
Steen Bruun-Nielsen card companies who have a different approach. They
James Wims apply an administration fee on a monthly basis against
the unused balance of cards from the beginning of
month 13. These continue until the balance is spent – or
eroded. They have determinedly lobbied to stop any
Our Reports Consumer Choice Published Material
Reports in Consumer Choice are based on Consumer Choice is published by No part of this publication may be reproduced,
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The reports are produced in the main services, and to enhance the quality of life for
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is occasionally drawn from other foreign status: CHY 8559. ISSN 0790-486X
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other article of the same or similar description.
We do not necessarily price or report on all
Consumer Choice,
Managing Editor
brands or models within the class, and the Clodagh O'Donoghue
120/121 Baggot Street Lower,
exclusion of any brand or model should not be
Dublin 2
taken as a reflection on it. Researchers
Tel (01) 659 9430 Róisín Moloney Weekes
Email cai@thecai.ie Atousa Motameni
Social Media:
www.thecai.ie Robert Reidy
1 www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019
Contents
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ConsumersAssociationIreland
14 27
21
10 30
MONEY
25 10 LIFESTYLE PRODUCT TESTS
21 Buying Gadget 14 Choice Buy Roundup 27 Air Fryers
Insurance 2018 Five fantastic air fryers for
What do consumers need to ask Consumer Choice recaps on anoth- those who like their chips gold-
to make sure they are getting er year of impressive Choice Buys en and crispy and delivered in
value for money? for gift givers and bargain hunters. minutes.
19 Connect Smart – 30 Microwave Ovens
Consumer guidelines for Going for the fast food option?
23 When Spending More securing internet- Consumer Choice has seven
Means Saving Money connected devices Choice Buy microwave ovens
Consumer Choice questions Given ongoing security and privacy for you to consider.
popular consumer spending issues, consumers need to know
behaviour and suggests some how to ‘connect smart’ when bring-
New Year’s resolutions that ing an internet-connected device 34 Tablet PCs
can help the pocket and the into their home. Our independent labs have
environment. tried and tested 16 of the latest
devices.
25 Financial Reset for 2019 FOOD & HEALTH
When it comes to our financial
health, now is always the right 10 Cleaning Up Your Act? 39 Smartphones
time for a check-up. Consumer The pros and cons of juice In the market for a new smart-
Choice has some top tips for cleanses phone? See which ones have
establishing financial wellness What is involved in a juice cleansing got the thumbs-up from our
for 2019. plan? How does it all work? And testers.
why do most health experts remain
unconvinced?
2 www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019
News Briefs by Dermott Jewell NEWS BRIEFS
How Much Is That In Old Pence?
Now, I have no intention of spoiling your Christmas but the reality is
that the New Year will bring a new presence - no, not presents, presence
- to the consideration of an increased number of consumers in Ireland
who shop cross-border in Northern Ireland or the UK generally. Dy- Byte Size Family Meals
namic currency conversion gives consumers who travel abroad or buy
Courtesy of Silicon Republic I thought this worth passing
online the possibility to pay in their home currency instead of the local
on in case you missed it. Three and Samsung recently an-
currency. Choosing the home currency option, almost without excep- nounced the launch of what they termed the Connected
tion, always increases costs for the consumer. The good news is how the Restaurant. Both companies claim it is the first restaurant
EU Economic Affairs Committee wants to give consumers the possibil- of its kind to allow a table to be shared between families
ity to block currency conversion services on their cards, especially when based in Dublin and relatives based in - Sydney. Yes,
really! Specifically, what they did was to arrange how, be-
they are abroad. This would allow you to simply call and advise your
tween the 29th of November and the 2nd of December, an
bank that you do not want on-the-spot currency conversion offers when offer was made offering a free meal with a very, very big
in a shop or at an ATM when abroad. The committee also wants full difference. Covering an estimated distance of 17,000km
transparency around the practice so that the full cost of paying either from one another, patrons of a restaurant based on
in the home currency or in the local currency are displayed next to one Clarendon Street in Dublin were ushered to their table for
a three-course festive menu and then connected with its
another, in the consumer’s home currency. Now, this is not particularly
counterpart restaurant in Holt Street, Surry Hills, Sydney,
a Brexit-related fallout but rather it is a long established difficulty when via the internet where they connected families across
paying a bill in a currency outside of the euro. The reality, however, this enormous distance over a family meal. Time zones,
is that this will affect us significantly when you consider the number of technology and all other challenges aside, we love this
businesses we trade with in sterling. Or, more to the point, that sell their idea and wish all concerned a very positive and happy
get-together. Now, it feels like Christmas!
goods here with prices already converted. Think about it!
A Mac Flurry Over the Rockies
Some Canadian parents are not one bit happy about the hold fast food restaurants have on their
children’s diets. This has prompted a particular focus from one parent on a popular staple offering
from the McDonald's menu there – the Happy Meal. Mr Antonio Bramante has commenced legal
proceedings against the company in which he alleges McDonald's is unlawfully directing their ad-
vertising at children under 13 years of age – in direct violation of the strict youth consumer protec-
tion laws in the province where he, his wife and three children live. The claim outlines how the
restaurant is directly targeting children by displaying the Happy Meal toys at their eye level. Court
submissions show how he claims that he eats, on average every fortnight, at McDonald's, on the
urging of his children who demand the particular meal because they contain toys, linked to popular
film releases, which his children urge a return so that they can continue and complete their col-
lection of the various sets of toys. He estimates he has spent hundreds of dollars on Happy Meals
because these are the meals that come with the toys. This will be one to watch for two specific
reasons. The first being that Quebec prohibits marketing to children under the age of 13, which
is outlined as making it one of a handful of jurisdictions in the world to ban all advertising geared
towards children. The second is how the province has also had a law, enacted in 1980, that restricts
marketing unhealthy food to children. It is silent on the legalities of the buying process though.
December www.thecai.ie
2018 / January 2019 December
www.thecai.ie 3
2018 / January 2019
Or Did He Say ‘ET Fold Phone’?
It is finally here and it is in time for Christmas. The will be more - and soon - as Samsung are expected
FlexPai has been released by the California-based to follow through quite shortly. It has a 19.8cm
Royole Corporation in Beijing. This is what is display when it is unfolded and so it is not exactly
described as and definitively claimed to be the pocket sized and it is quite heavy in comparison to
world’s first virtually unbreakable screen, which can other devices on the market. You can take a look at
be bent over 200,000 times. It can be folded like it on www.royole.com but, while not heading toward
a wallet and then display three individual smaller being a Luddite I would caution that a little restraint
screens – one on the front, the back and along at this early stage (especially when you see the
the spine. It is fast and comes with a Snapdragon price) would be both financially and progressively
8-series chip and two cameras. Having said all of prudent. Can’t wait to see the instructions for taking
that, there are concerns for consumers to note. It is pictures around corners, Origami hints and, best of
the first and that means that, despite delays, there all, what to do when the screen(s) freeze.
Read the Labels – and – the Warning Signs
More and more we hear of a consumer watchdog body still widely available including
concerns regarding dangerous that issues annual reviews those with high concentrations
toys. We are fortunate in the and warnings there. This of chemicals and potential
EU to have strong oversight year they tested 40 potentially choking hazards. Toys with
of what enters the market and hazardous toys and declared internet connections also
the standards that are required 15 dangerous to children with made the list because they
to underpin them as being highlights regarding small could be collecting data on
declared safe – although, to magnets, balloons and slime. children and sharing it with
be clear, they could be better. Researchers found 87% of others. Readers of Con-
However, that aside, in the US latex balloons sold on Amazon sumer Choice will recall how
there are concerns regarding did not have legally required we highlighted these last year
toys there and, as a follow up warnings about choking haz- and notably the Cayla doll,
to Black Friday, it is important ards. They also urged parents banned in Germany, following
that we be aware of some to avoid buying rare-earth the research of the Norwegian
of these being purchased, magnets the size of teardrops Consumer Council, which
imported and offered as as did the Consumer Federa- highlighted the serious risks
presents. The US Public tion of America. The group posed to children.
Interest Research Group is says potentially unsafe toys are
With Safety In Mind
In November, the European Parliament voted on a
legislation to update the way emergency calls are managed
in the European Union (EU). The telecommunications
legislation – the European Electronic Communications
Code or EECC – is one of the most important for European
safety with provisions on public warning, emergency
location, accessibility and more. In consideration of recent
terrorist attacks, Parliament made modern public warning
obligatory for all member states. Now, citizens in a high
risk area will be able to receive an SMS or alert on their
mobile phone in case of an emergency, informing them
what is happening and how to remain safe. The EECC is a
binding legislation and all member states must implement
it within two years (unless otherwise stated for specific
provisions that require more time).
Decemberwww.thecai.ie
2018 / January 2019 December 4
2018 / January 2019
www.thecai.ie
FOOD & HEALTH/News by Clodagh O’Donoghue Food & Health Health and technology Technology increasingly infiltrates every the eHealth Strategy for Ireland, which recently announced the extension of its aspect of our lives and this includes our aims to reduce medication errors and services to 24 hours, seven days a week health and the way in which we access care the associated costs and to speed up and is set to double its workforce from 25 and medication. Technological advances patients’ access to medication. HIQA’s to 55 over the coming year. This company undoubtedly have the power to benefit recommendations for an eprescribing has stressed that its doctors are all based us all and, in one development, the Health programme cover such areas as in Ireland and registered with the Irish Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) governance, standards, implementation Medical Council, with the majority also recently published recommendations for and stakeholder engagement with a working as GPs in physical practices. a national, community-based eprescribing high priority also placed on data privacy, The company notes that these GPs have programme. These recommendations including robust guidelines for data been trained in delivering telemedicine follow a public consultation and an collection, access and consent. The and adhere to prescribing guidelines international review of how eprescribing recommendations may be viewed on the that prohibit certain medications that are initiatives work in other countries, HIQA website at www.hiqa.ie. open to abuse. Importantly, a note on undertaken to inform the adoption of Another technological all consultations is sent to the patient’s appropriate standards in Ireland. In a development in the health care sector is own GP. Such measures may go some community setting, eprescribing refers the growing access patients have to online way toward avoiding serious deficiencies to a process in which a GP generates the video doctor consultations, including highlighted in online medical services in prescription electronically and transfers those offered by health insurers as part other jurisdictions. it to a central messaging system, which of a private health insurance package, However, a key problem with transmits it electronically to a pharmacy but whether these represent an entirely the area of online medical services is where a pharmacist then dispenses positive evolution is a matter of some that it currently lacks any regulation in it. The international review found that debate. On one hand, proponents point Ireland beyond existing legislation on countries initially focussed on introducing to the growing pressure on the GP service, the registration of doctors and, in the eprescribing in a community setting as with many GPs unable to take on any more absence of such regulation, it is extremely GPs and pharmacists generally have patients or due to retire, and the option difficult for patients to know whether they similar processes to their peers, which to access medical advice and possibly can place their trust in these services. helps support computerisation of the a prescription from a doctor online for There is an increasing call for standards process. The research found that, having a variety of more minor ailments would and regulation to be implemented in successfully implemented community- help to alleviate this pressure. Moreover, this growing sector – with this regulation based eprescribing, countries then built online video consultations offer the chance long overdue, it is a call to which the on this by implementing eprescribing in for a relatively low-cost interaction with a Consumers’ Association of Ireland the hospital setting, including in outpatient qualified doctor with shorter waiting times resolutely adds its voice. clinics and emergency departments, where and no need to travel to a specific location. medication management processes are However, critics of these services, typically more complex. including many GPs, point to concerns The aim of eprescribing is surrounding patient safety and continuity to deliver major benefits to patients, of care. Such critics suggest that video prescribers, pharmacists and others consultations cannot replace a physical involved in the prescribing process. In examination and face-to-face interaction particular, eprescribing has the potential between a GP and patient and the personal to improve patient safety by significantly relationship that develops between them reducing errors arising from mistaken that is so vital to overall health outcomes. identity, incorrect medication, incorrect Many GPs, including the National dosage, adverse drug interactions and so Association of General Practitioners, do on. In addition, eprescribing can generate see a role for telemedicine when used by savings as it costs less and takes less time GPs as part of a follow-up process with than processing prescriptions manually. their own patients. A national, community-based One Irish company that has eprescribing programme forms part of defended its offering is VideoDoc, which 5 www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019
MONEY NEWS
Money News Money News by Róisín Moloney Weekes
Buying “The European Consumer Centre (ECC)
Ireland has reported consumer
Refurbished complaints in the area of refurbished
phones purchased online. ”
Phones Online
The European Consumer Centre (ECC) • Are you are buying from a private seller or
Ireland has reported consumer complaints a business?
in the area of refurbished phones
purchased online. Complaints included • Are contact details easy to find on the
faulty goods and delivery problems. The website?
ECC is advising consumers to do their
research and pay securely before hitting • Is there a returns policy?
the purchase button.
This warning comes as ECC • Is the seller offering any guarantee?
Ireland figures reveal that just over half of
all refurbished phone complaints received In addition, consumers should
from Irish consumers during a 12-month check the product description carefully and
period from March 2017 to March 2018 remember that, unless otherwise stated,
about traders based elsewhere in the EU/ the manufacturer’s warranty for a
EEA related to delivery problems, with refurbished phone may no longer be valid.
many goods not being delivered at all. If the trader is slow to respond to questions
Almost one third of refurbished phone or does not answer them in a satisfactory
complaints from Irish consumers for the way, then you should look elsewhere. And
same period involved goods either arriving finally, it is important to always use a secure
faulty or a fault emerging shortly after method of payment, like a credit card.
purchase. Other complaints related to The table below offers a flavour of the
phones not picking up any Irish mobile complaints Irish consumers have made in
network, the IMEI reported lost or stolen, relation to purchasing refurbished phones
or postage/delivery restrictions on goods online.
using lithium-ion batteries.
In relation to half of all complaints
involving refurbished phones, the trader
ECC Ireland findings on complaints relating to refurbished
either refused to respond from the outset
phones purchased online
or stopped responding after a complaint 52.5% of complaints were in relation to delivery issues.
was made. In some instances, consumers
who placed their orders through online
32.5% of complaints were in relation to goods that arrived faulty or became faulty soon after purchase.
platforms did not even know the seller’s
identity.
As a result of these findings, In 50% of all complaints, the trader either refused to respond or stopped responding.
consumers are encouraged to buy from
reputable sellers and to check online In 30% of all complaints, the trader either refused to provide a refund after failed repair attempts or
refused to give a refund when the consumer tried to cancel/avail of their right to withdraw.
reviews before purchasing. The ECC
recommends that consumers do their
43% of complaints were about the same trader claiming to be based in the UK (e.g. with UK domain
research and consider the following address) but that is actually based outside the EU/EEA.
questions :
25.6% of complaints were about another trader based in the UK.
• Will the phone work in Ireland?
Obtained online at www.eccireland.ie November 2018
www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019
6 www.thecai.ie
The Irish economy and the construction sector
The housing shortage and its intrinsic links to the with the heights seen in 2007 but, given the current low both by historical and international standards,
overall Irish economy have become more and more low level of housing supply vis-a-vis previous as is the amount of credit presently being used
evident as the housing crisis appears to worsen. levels, the numbers employed in construction in construction, recent trends in the levels of new
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) are, in fact, relatively high. This suggests that lending show that the stocks are increasing.
has carried out some research assessing if the employment in construction would have to increase The ERSI report concludes that the Irish
Irish economy has the capacity to meet future quite substantially in order for increased housing economy would not appear, at present, to be unduly
activity in the construction sector and the results supply to be provided, in the absence of significant constrained in terms of labour market and financial
demonstrate the complex nature of the situation efficiencies. Moreover, it now seems that much of sector developments. However, a significant
and the risks that might be faced. The strong pace the additional labour needed for housing supply and increase in housing output will lead to employment
of growth in the Irish economy is noted and in that other construction and infrastructural work would levels in construction returning to levels seen in the
context it would appear that, while the economy is likely have to come from immigration. However, run-up to 2007 and this rise in activity levels will
not unduly constrained in terms of labour market the high cost of accommodation in the country may also result in a substantial increase in the provision
and financial sector developments at present, it act as a disincentive for workers seeking to come of credit by domestic financial institutions. Thus,
does lead to a number of conclusions. Employment and work here, especially in the greater Dublin macroprudential policy will be vital in preventing the
levels in construction are still quite low compared area. Although credit levels in total are still quite creation of another domestic credit bubble.
EU-Wide Rights In Any Language
Those jetting off for the upcoming festive works offline so that the user does not need to traders located elsewhere in the EU/
season or making holiday plans for the New to be connected to the internet to find out EEA and involving issues with air travel, car
Year may like to know that ECC-Net, the information on their rights. The app outlines rental, accommodation, and package travel.
EU-wide network of European Consumer a consumer’s applicable rights in a range of Although there are many factors to take into
Centres (ECCs), has created an app to help situations, such as in the case of delays or account, the ECC notes the importance of
consumers when they run into difficulty cancellations when travelling by air or by sea, empowering consumers by providing more
asserting their rights while away in other EU accommodation difficulties where there is a information and tools to help them resolve
countries. This app provides information price increase or the room is unavailable, or an issue directly with a trader, while the
in both the consumer’s own language car rental problems where supplementary issue is happening. A number of actions you
and the trader’s language if different. charges are applied or there is a dispute in can take at the time - such as putting your
Currently, the app is available in 25 different relation to damage to the vehicle. As well complaint in writing, gathering evidence or
languages – the 23 official languages of the as explanations of your rights, the app also knowing what to request - can make a big
EU plus Icelandic and Norwegian. The app provides translations that may be shown to difference, especially when seeking redress
is available to download on Android, iOS the trader when language barriers arise. later on.
and Windows devices and it covers topics ECC Ireland reports that, between For more information and to
such as retail purchases, car rental, air travel, 2013 and 2017, it received on average download the app go to https://www.
accommodation, emergency numbers and more than 500 travel-related complaints eccireland.ie/popular-consumer-topics/ecc-
more. Once the app has been installed, it each year from Irish consumers relating net-travel-app/.
Women’s disposable income more affected by long-term budgetary policy
Women of Ireland are feeling the financial can be attributed to the fact that women with children. However, the significance of
pinch more than their male counterparts are more likely than men to be lone parents, this difference is mitigated by the fact that
as a result of changes to the tax and to be out of the labour force and to benefit spouses typically share their resources.
benefit systems between 2008 and 2018. from child-related supports. For instance, Most of the gender difference in
Governmental changes to taxes and benefits the last decade of budgetary policy has the impact of budgetary policy can be put
have led to greater income reductions for affected single men and women without down to reductions in Child Benefit and
women than for men, according to recent children similarly. Moreover, little evidence other welfare payments during the period
Economic and Social Research Institute was found of a gender difference in the of austerity and to the fact that welfare
(ESRI) research funded by the Parliamentary impact of budgetary policy for men and payments did not keep pace with inflation
Budget Office. Gender differences in the women employed in paid work. when the recovery got under way. As a
impact of budgetary policy were most Lone parents, who are result, in instances where women lost out
marked during the period of austerity predominantly women, lost proportionally by more than men, the difference was most
budgets from 2008 to 2012. Since then, more as a result of budgetary policy over evident when comparing women and men
we have seen more gender-neutral policy the past decade than single people without from low-income households – thus, those
reforms occurring during the period from children. In terms of couples, the last decade with less suffered proportionally more than
2013 to 2018. of budgetary policy led to reductions in those who were financially better off.
Gender differences in the effect of women’s disposable income compared to
Irish budgetary policy over the past decade that of their spouse, especially in households
December
December2018
2018//January
January2019
2019
7 www.thecai.ie
www.thecai.ie
Product/Tech News
Tension in the air
Reeling back the years
Movie classifications provide important information
The vinyl revival may have taken us by surprise some on the age appropriateness of the film but these
years back when old-school record players started classifications are to some extent subjective. A
reappearing in shops and now those who have been group of researchers in Germany set about trying to
missing the mixtape can start looking out for the find a more objective method of gauging whether
return of the retro cassette player as pushed by US a film is child-friendly or decidedly not suitable for
company Crosley Radio. Crosley already manufactures younger viewers, simply by testing the air in the
a wide range of portable record players and claims The Crosley CT100 and CT200 cinema.
it played a role in the revival of that format, so it is Movie certifications are generally decided
not surprising it has taken on the other main music on by a panel of experts who view the film before
machine from the recent past, the cassette player. its release to the general public. The ratings
Whereas many claim that vinyl offers key attributes allocated depend on a range of factors but often the
as a physical alternative to digital music, the case is reason for restricting films to adult viewers is due
less strong for the arguably much-inferior cassette. to the inclusion of scenes that are too upsetting for
However, nostalgia sells and Crosley’s two new younger people. Scientists from the Max Planck
models look like something straight out of 1985. Institute of Chemistry in Germany undertook a
Although boomboxes that have a cassette deck have study recently that involved over 13,000 participants
never really left shop shelves, the Crosley CT100 and watching 135 screenings of 11 different movies, all of
CT200 look like legitimate relics from three or four which had previously been released and accorded
decades back with a mono speaker, a single-direction certifications. The idea is that audiences chemically
tape deck, an AM/FM radio tuner, plus a handle and change the air inside cinemas as they view dramatic
large, chunky dials and controls for an authentic stimuli due to emissions from their skin and breath.
80s experience. The all-important built-in mic is As a result, in the study, as the participants watched
included, which can be put to work in recording each film, air analysis equipment in the cinema’s
songs played on the radio straight to the tape deck, ventilation system measured the concentrations of
making carefully curated bootleg mixtapes or 60 chemical compounds in the air every 30 seconds.
recording yourself singing along or playing at DJ with The findings revealed that concentrations
snappy introductions for each track. Completing the of one chemical compound in particular, isoprene,
old-world vibe, you power these devices by plugging given off by viewers consistently increased in direct
them into the wall or using four large D batteries relation to the ‘adultness’ of the film’s existing rating.
when on the go. Isoprene is stored in muscle tissue and microscopic
As a nod to the fact that the world has amounts of isoprene are released into the air
moved on somewhat since the days of Duran Duran whenever we move our muscles. Thus, the more
and Depeche Mode, the CT100 offers the ability to nervous or agitated viewers get during a particular
play music from an SD card or USB drive while the scene in a film, the more they tend to wriggle in
CT200 has treble and bass dials and a volume unit their seats, and the audience collectively emits more
(VU) meter. The Crosley CT100 is currently on sale for isoprene into the air. The study found that this rise
$60 (€53 approx.) while the CT200 is slightly dearer at in isoprene became predictable during particularly
$70 (€62 approx.). And for something to play on these intense scenes across multiple screenings and thus
machines, many have shoeboxes of old cassette tapes appears to be a good indicator of the emotional
somewhere in the attic waiting to be unearthed and, tension likely to be created in any given audience.
indeed, a small but growing market of new cassette There is no suggestion that this method
tapes is emerging for those looking to start their should replace the movie classification systems
cassette collection all over again. Just make sure you currently in place but researchers indicate that it
have a pencil ready to respool any ribbon tape that might be useful in borderline cases. Where a rating
inadvertently gets pulled out...hopefully that is a skill is in dispute, a test audience could view the film and
that has not been lost in the intervening years. the amount of isoprene created could help provide a
scientific basis for the ultimate certification.
The products featured on these pages have
not been tested by the Consumers’ Association of
Ireland and their inclusion here is not, in any way, an Product News by Clodagh O'Donoghue
endorsement of them.
8 www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019
LEDs for lighter electricity bills
Following on from our news item in our after about two years, whereas LEDs can last 5. LEDs fit existing sockets
October issue that noted that the EU ban on up to ten times longer. Most LEDs fit existing light sockets – but to
the importation and production of halogen make sure the new LED will match the fitting,
bulbs had come into force, the Sustainable 3. Reducing your carbon footprint take the old bulb along with you to check.
Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is urging LEDs use only around a fifth of the energy of
households to swap to energy efficient LEDs halogen bulbs. Phasing out halogen lightbulbs 6. They are better for the
this winter. The SEAI puts forward six reasons across the EU will prevent carbon emissions environment
for making the switch: equal to the total annual emissions of over half Unlike CFLs, LEDs are mercury free so they are
a million Irish households. kinder to the environment.
1. Lower electricity bills
According to SEAI, swapping a single 42-watt 4. One for every occasion And with the festive season upon
halogen lightbulb for an energy efficient 9-watt LED bulbs are now available for virtually any us, LED Christmas lights are on the market
LED will save around €7 a year. LEDs may be a purpose, from regular bulbs and spotlight-style and feature all the benefits outlined above. So
little more expensive to buy than their halogen bulbs to chandelier-shaped bulbs and three- to enjoy plenty of seasonal lighting without
counterpart but they can save you money in way bulbs Newer LED bulbs labelled as ‘soft pushing up your energy bills heading into the
the long-term. white’ or ‘warm white’ glow just like an old- New Year, LED fairy lights for your Christmas
fashioned incandescent bulb and some LEDs tree and elsewhere could be the way to go.
2. LEDs last longer are also dimmable and can change colour, for a
Halogen bulbs tend to dim over time and fail greater range of lighting effects.
The truth about fake reviews
In the shopping frenzy that precedes Amazon reviews. Typically, an individual is
Christmas and extends afterwards into asked to order a product through Amazon
the sales, many conscientious consumers by manually finding the product using
will do their homework before parting a search term and browsing some other
with their cash to ensure that the product items first, presumably to make the search
they are buying will be worth their look more natural. The purchaser is then
money. Online reviews can provide a asked to write a review and send a link to
very helpful source of information to learn the seller, after which they are told they will
about users’ hands-on experience with receive a refund through PayPal. Which
a product – but can all online reviews be investigators found that if they wrote a
trusted? Unfortunately, as is so often the review that fell short of five stars they were
case, consumers need to be wary about asked to rewrite it and, if they refused,
where they place their trust and customer they were asked to delete it. Refunds of
reviews are no exception, particularly when the purchase price were not received in all
it comes to glowing recommendations and cases.
five-star ratings. These findings highlight the
Our UK colleagues at Which need for consumers to be aware that
recently conducted an investigation that not all online reviews can be trusted at
revealed how pervasive the problem of face value. To avoid falling for a fake
fake reviews has grown. The posting of review and being disappointed with their
positive reviews increases ratings and purchase, consumers need to read reviews
rankings, with the result that unscrupulous in depth rather than relying solely on the
companies can be drawn to creating fake ratings, looking out for warning signs
reviews in order to inflate their sales. such as postings that sound unnatural or
Companies need to be smart about how repetitive. They should check if a large
they go about this, however, and so pay number of reviews have been posted
or incentivise individuals to make false in a short period and look at reviewers’
postings that seem natural and genuine to histories to see if they review lots of the
online retailers like Amazon that are on the same product or invariably give five
lookout for phony product reviews. stars. Finally, consumers should check for
The Which investigation found a inconsistencies, such as ratings at the very
number of Facebook groups where sellers top and bottom end of the scale or praise
offer financial incentives or their products for aspects or features that have been
‘free’ or at discounted rates in exchange for much criticised elsewhere.
9 www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019FOOD & HEALTH / Juice cleanses
Cleaning Up Your Act?
The pros and cons of juice
cleansing
Those keen on cleaning up their act in the New Year might be tempted
to kick-start it with a juice cleanse, but does this trendy option hold
water?
Many of us start the New Year with the level, however, with providers suggesting
intention of turning over a new leaf in one that, by confining yourself to a set regime of
REPORT by Clodagh O’Donoghue
form or another and often that involves liquidised fruit and vegetables that you will be
making an effort to live more healthily. After able to give your body a rest from digesting,
At a glance the indulgence of the Christmas period, many rid your body of toxins and excess waste and
• Juice cleansing plans of us greet January with a renewed enthusiasm replenish nutrients. The promised benefits
• Claimed benefits for improving our lifestyles, especially in terms variously include a boost to your immune
• Health advice of being more careful about what we put into system, more radiant skin, clearer and brighter
our bodies. After the myriad sausage rolls, eyes, reinvigorated energy levels and weight
mince pies, and foil-wrapped chocolates, loss. However, most health experts remain
we yearn to reinvent ourselves by swapping unconvinced at best on the positive impacts
these admittedly fairly disastrous diet choices of juice cleanses. Often enthusiastically
for fresher, lighter, healthier options. This is a advocated by famous faces with undeniably
laudable ambition but, for some, just laying off enviable figures, juice cleansing may indeed
the alcohol and confectionery may not seem work for some people but it is important to
to be a sufficiently extreme measure to make state from the outset, that - whether or not
up for all the reckless eating behaviour of the they deliver any substantiated benefits - juice
previous few weeks. As a result, one trend cleanses or fasts are not a safe option for
that likely sees a significant upswing at the everyone. Providers’ websites note that their
beginning of each new year is juice cleansing cleansing plans are not suitable for pregnant
or detoxing. or breastfeeding women, and those with heart
Juicing is big business with juice or kidney conditions, compromised immune
bars continuing to pop up alongside salad systems or other health concerns need to
bars and raw food outlets, all looking to consult their doctor before embarking on any
help us get our recommended five to seven extreme eating regime.
portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Juice So what is involved? How does it all
cleansing takes it to an entirely different work? And why do the opinions of a majority
10 www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019of health experts range from sceptical to fish, fruit or nuts to fill up. Some providers be regained when normal eating patterns
positively critical? Consumer Choice takes have an option where you drink juice during resume. Other concerns surround the lack
stock of the juice cleansing market and the day and make yourself a healthy meal in of protein in a juice cleansing programme,
considers both the claims and the caveats. the evening. potentially leading to a loss of muscle mass
Providers generally also suggest over time, and the fact that juices do not
What’s on the menu that you drink two to three litres of water contain the same level of fibre as in whole
An online search of the juice cleansing market during the days you are juice cleansing. fruits and vegetables and which is useful for
in Ireland revealed that there are a number Although you can still exercise, providers tend regulating blood sugar spikes, helping you
of providers offering the service. People to recommend that you are gentle on yourself feel fuller and protecting against the risk of
living in Dublin would seem to have a better and that you listen to your body and energy heart disease and cancer. Juicing also releases
range of juice cleanse providers to choose levels, potentially avoiding high-intensity sugar in fruit and vegetables and dental
from though there are companies that deliver sessions. Getting a couple of hours extra health experts have warned about the risks of
all over Ireland. In our research, we found sleep a night is also often recommended. For tooth decay and acid erosion associated with
juice cleansing packages on offer for one day those who stick strictly to liquids and avoid drinking high volumes of juices.
through to three-day and five-day options, chewing for between one and seven days, this As most handmade juices are
with some providers offering a lengthy seven- is undoubtedly a difficult regime with such unpasteurised, they are vulnerable to the
day programme. The one-day programmes reported effects as severe headaches, fatigue growth of harmful bacteria so care must be
are aimed at those who want to dip their toe and hunger pangs. taken to store and consume them within the
into the world of juice cleansing and see how The juice cleansing companies recommended guidelines, and older age
they find it before moving on to the more have advice for preparations to make before groups or those with weakened immune
challenging multiple-day options. embarking on a juice fast, which often involves systems are at particular risk.
Juice cleansing may be promoted cutting out alcohol, caffeine and processed Overall, many health experts take
as a quick fix for your health, but it is not a foods for a number of days. This step alone the view that for normal, healthy individuals,
cheap fix with prices starting at €25 for a will surely provide at least some healthful a brief juice cleansing programme lasting
one-day package rising up to €75 for three-day benefits. After the juice cleanse is at an end, a couple of days is unlikely to do any harm.
options. For five-day options, we found rather than immediately hitting the tin of However, these experts are also keen to
prices starting at €125 and one seven-day biscuits or box of chocolates the suggestion is stress that there is no substitute for eating
programme costing €159. And if you want that you would ease back into normal eating, a healthy, balanced diet on a regular basis
the convenience of delivery to your door, choosing light healthy meals with plenty of that cuts down on sugar and salt and that is
these charges will increase. For these not salads and raw ingredients and continuing to accompanied by the recommended levels of
insignificant sums, you will generally get five avoid processed foods for a time. exercise for your age group. Although juice
freshly prepared juices that you will drink Providers claim that their juice cleanses may seem like the trendy route, they
throughout the day – at breakfast time, during cleanses will spring-clean tired and stressed- will not necessarily lead to huge additional
the morning, at lunchtime and dinnertime and out bodies, rejuvenate and energise you both health benefits.
in the evening. physically and mentally, restock your store of
The juices have to be ordered nutrients, and improve the quality of skin, hair The upshot
between 24 and 48 hours in advance as they and nails, to name but a few desirable benefits. It is undoubtedly not a bad thing to consider
are made fresh on the morning of collection Whereas some providers do suggest that a the start of a new year as an opportunity to
or delivery. As the juices generally are juice cleanse represents a method of losing make some positive changes in your lifestyle.
unpasteurised and preservative free, they will weight, others indicate that, although weight Such changes may entail swapping unhealthy,
need to be stored carefully and kept in the loss may occur, that is not the primary aim of fatty, or sugar-laden foods for an increased
fridge or the freezer depending on how long the process. One provider suggests that, as intake of fruit and vegetables. These switches
the programme is. One provider will provide most people will see some weight loss, a juice will undoubtedly do you good. Adding in a
half a batch initially and then a second batch a cleanse can be the ideal way to kick-off a new juice made from fresh fruit and vegetables
couple of days later for its five-day programme healthier lifestyle. every so often may help some to boost their
to ensure that the juice has not gone off by consumption of these nutrient-rich foods
the time that you are due to drink it. Another Not so fast and can also be a beneficial step. Moreover,
provider takes a slightly different approach in In general, health experts appear at very least if you think that doing a full-on juice cleanse
that it blast-freezes its juices as soon as they sceptical about the health benefits promised for a day or two will help you kick-start a
are made and customers will need to freeze by juice-only cleanses, with many taking issue whole new healthier regime, then, for most
the products in their home, taking them out with the fact that the claimed gains are largely people who are in overall good health, this
the night before they are due to drink them anecdotal with little scientific evidence to will probably not do you any damage and
and putting them in the fridge to defrost. prove them. In particular, many nutritionists could be the psychological springboard you
A more recent variation that has are highly critical of the claim that juices can need to break bad habits and reevaluate
appeared in this market is the soup and juice ‘detox’ the body as, they point out, the body what you eat. However, as we noted at the
regime, whereby, as well as consuming several is detoxing itself all the time all on its own. start of this article, juice cleanses are not for
measures of juice during the day, two soups If our liver and kidneys were not constantly everyone, including those with any health
are provided. In addition, one provider offers eliminating toxins, we would become ill very issues to consider, growing adolescents and
a juice and salad detox programme where quickly and, according to experts, there is little older people, or those who are pregnant or
two juices and two salads are supplied for or no evidence that swapping eating for only breastfeeding, are underweight, or have Type
each day of the plan. Moreover, although drinking juice will help this process along. 1 or 2 diabetes or a heart or kidney condition
many associate a juice cleansing programme Juice fasting programmes deliver and it is always advisable to speak to a doctor
with prohibiting any solid food, at least one a reduced level of calories, which is why they first if you have any health concerns at all.
provider suggests that if you are still hungry are associated with a degree of weight loss,
after imbibing the liquid options, you can eat but this is often water weight and will likely
11 www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019FOOD & HEALTH / Weaning challenges
Weaning Your Baby –
Common challenges and key guidance
A safefood study has uncovered the challenges REPORT by Clodagh O’Donoghue
parents face when weaning their baby onto solid At a glance
foods and provides advice and guidance on how to • Weaning challenges
• Research findings
manage this exciting milestone in a child's life. • Recommendations
With confusing and conflicting advice seeming safefood has conducted a study that be an exciting transition in their babies’ lives.
to come from all sides, parents can find the investigates parents’ experiences of the wea A key difficulty appeared to be the perceived
process of weaning their baby onto solid ning process, the barriers faced to following confusing nature of formal recommendations
foods to be quite daunting. Parents need to weaning guidelines, and the best methods coupled with conflicting advice coming from
make decisions surrounding such matters as for supporting families who are weaning their family and friends. In particular, advice from
when to start weaning and what foods to give children. grandmothers was viewed in both a positive
their babies. These are important decisions and a negative light and peer influence
to get right as the first two years of a baby’s The research could act as both a barrier and a facilitator
life is widely seen as a critical window for In the safefood study, entitled What Parents to following weaning recommendations.
growth, development and the prevention of Think About Weaning, information was Some participants reported feeling under
diet-related disease, including obesity. The gathered through 19 focus groups – 11 in the pressure from family and friends in terms of
early years are also seen as an opportunity to Republic of Ireland and 8 in Northern Ireland making decisions about weaning. In addition,
exert a positive influence on food preferences – between November 2016 and July 2017. participants noted that they felt that current
and dietary habits in young children. Although The focus groups met in local community guidance was unclear about the age at which
many babies in Ireland are weaned in line venues and the sessions were audio recorded parents should introduce solid foods and
with formal recommendations, certain and transcribed verbatim. In all, 83 parents what foods they should offer. Moreover, some
population groups, particularly those at a took part and included migrant parents, lone participants felt that formal recommendations
social disadvantage, are more likely than their parents and members of ethnic minorities. were not sufficient in addressing the practical
counterparts to have a low level of weaning Discussions took place on participants’ challenges that parents faced – such as how
knowledge, leading to a greater incidence perception of the weaning process in a much food to give, at what time of day and
of early weaning. This is a concern because number of areas, including the choosing of by how much to reduce milk feeds. In many
the early introduction of solid foods has what to feed their baby, the various sources cases, the guidance was not given at the right
been associated with a greater risk of obesity, of infant feeding advice, the perceived time – instead of the recommendations being
allergy, eczema and enteritis as well as with deficiencies in the delivery of official guidance made when weaning was about to begin,
the later development of generally unhealthy on weaning, and the personal experiences of guidance was often given in the newborn
eating behaviours. Moreover, parents from parents and their feelings and emotions as period when parents had many other more
low-income backgrounds have been found they navigated the process. pressing factors to consider.
to be more likely to introduce infants to In terms of the choice of what
inappropriate foods, such as confectionery, Challenges foods to offer, parents highlighted concerns
while offering fewer fruits and vegetables. The study uncovered a range of challenges surrounding under- or over-feeding, giving
Against this backdrop, all-island organisation faced by the participants during what should unsafe foods and the potential for choking.
12 www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019The use of commercial baby foods was • Provide parents with information about
much discussed, with some participants developmental stages, growth spurts, hunger
believing that these must be healthy cues and other reasons for disturbed sleep or
options on the basis that they are marketed distress/upset
for babies. Participants also noted that
there was insufficient guidance on moving Recommendations were also
through the stages of weaning and how to made in relation to the best channels for
progress between textures and food types communicating guidance, including the use
appropriately. of face-to-face interaction between parents
and health professionals; making weaning
Recommendations from the guidance for parents available through
study multiple media channels such as online, apps,
All the data from the focus groups was paper and video resources; and providing
analysed in association with a panel of opportunities for parents to ask questions
parents with a view to identifying barriers through multimedia forums. The full report on
and facilitators to compliance with the study can be found at www.safefood.eu.
weaning recommendations. The main
recommendations arising from the study in The age question
relation to basic information and guidelines The age at which solid foods are introduced use ready-made foods, make sure to check salt
were as follows: into a baby’s diet is very important. The and sugar content and opt for savoury foods
national recommendations are that weaning rather than desserts, which are often laden
• Provide information to all parents at the time or ‘complementary feeding’ should take with sugar. As many ready-made baby foods
of weaning place at around the age of six months or use a similar flavour base, they can all taste the
26 weeks. It should not be done prior to 17 same to your baby so it is a good idea to mix
• Provide parents with best-practice guidelines weeks of age as, before this, a baby’s kidneys in some of your own food to add texture and
and the reasoning behind these guidelines and digestive system are not mature and flavour variety. Foods that come in pouches
may not be able to handle foods and drinks that can be sucked do little to help your baby
• Provide practical information when starting other than milk. However, the introduction of develop important eating skills like using their
solids (such as, how much milk to give, what solid foods should not be delayed any longer fingers or a spoon. Those who buy pouches
time of day to feed solids, how much food to than six months because, by this time, a baby should transfer the food inside into a bowl and
give and how often) needs these foods to satisfy their energy use a spoon for feeding it to their baby.
and nutrient requirements and is ready to
• Provide recipe suggestions to parents along develop the important skills for eating a mixed Key advice
with guidance diet. Breastfeeding can continue after the Other tips and guidance provided by safefood
introduction of solid foods. for parents who are introducing their babies to
• Provide guidance to parents of different solid foods include the following:
nationalities about local foods to use during Commercial baby foods
weaning Overall, a worrying finding of the study • Always stay with your baby as they eat to
was the reliance on commercial baby foods make sure they do not choke
• Provide specific information about coupled with a lack of confidence in home
continuing to breastfeed whilst weaning cooking. Commercial baby foods that come • Never add any foods (including rusks) to your
in jars or pouches are seen as a convenient baby’s bottle as this can be a choking hazard
• Provide clear and specific guidance on lumps option but also, as the safefood study and damages teeth
and textures of foods for specific ages revealed, as a safe and healthy option by many
parents. The study revealed that labelling • Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar,
of these foods has an influence on parental fat or salt as these can lead to unhealthy food
purchasing decisions – so, for example, preferences that continue into later life
product labels describing food as “suitable
from four months” suggested to parents that • Give your baby food that you normally eat
they could safely wean from four months. as a family but be careful about salt content
In addition, an organic baby food product when making family meals particularly when
was much cited in the focus groups, with a adding gravy granules or stock cubes
common perception being that it must be
healthy due to the use of organic ingredients • Allow plenty of time for feeding, especially
and, for some, this helped to reduce the guilt in the beginning, as it is a new experience for
of not offering home-cooked food. your baby and they will need time to develop
Although the convenience of eating skills and get used to different tastes
commercial baby foods is undeniable, these
foods should be confined to occasions when • Avoid distractions at mealtimes like the TV,
you are out and about and should be the phone or tablet and instead allow time to
exception rather than the everyday offering. interact with your baby
As well as being more expensive, they are less
nutritious than a home-cooked meal and may • Encourage your baby to eat a variety of foods,
contain high levels of sugar and salt. If you do to hold a spoon or finger foods and to try to
feed themselves
13 www.thecai.ie December 2018 / January 2019You can also read
