Canine heart disease risk, P.E.I’s ban on plastic bags: CBC’s Marketplace consumer cheat sheet

Miss something this week? Don’t panic. CBC’s Marketplace rounds up the consumer and health news you need.

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Could your dog’s food be linked to heart disease?

If you feed your dog one of these 16 brands of food, you might want to consider an alternative. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified brands it says are most frequently associated with a potentially deadly canine heart condition. Ninety-one per cent of the products were labelled as “grain free.” Affected dogs may seem tired, lose weight and suddenly collapse.

Car safety improvements benefit men more than women

Experts say crash test dummies may be a major reason why — those used in safety tests are modelled after men. New research reveals females are 73 per cent more likely to have serious to fatal injuries in a crash. Researchers and other experts say that’s because of a lack of available female-specific safety data. 

Looking to buy legal pot in Ontario?

It might soon be easier to get your hands on some. The province is set to open dozens of new cannabis stores starting in October. The announcement comes as some of Ontario’s first 25 legal pot shops, which were supposed to open on April 1, are still not up and running. In 2016, we tested how your brain reacts to marijuana.

Nike pulls tennis shoe with slavery-era flag

Nike has cancelled the release of a shoe featuring the Betsy Ross flag after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick complained to the shoemaker about the racist undertones of the design. Last year, the athletic-wear company made him the face of a new ad campaign, after he became known for kneeling during the U.S. anthem to protest what he called the oppression of blacks and other people of colour.

P.E.I. bans plastic bags at checkouts

If you’re shopping in P.E.I., be sure to bring your own bag. The province became the first in Canada to ban single-use plastic bags this week. Paper or reusable bags will be available for a minimum of 15 cents and $1, respectively. Check out our story about why buying plastic-free groceries is so tough.

What else is going on?

The latest in recalls

Are you the ultimate bargain hunter?

Marketplace is looking for families or friends about to plan a vacation together. Do you know how to spot extra charges or hidden fees? Do you think you’re a good negotiator? Perhaps you have what it takes to compete against other Canadians in Marketplace‘s vacation challenge. If you want to show our producers how you can beat the fees and get the best vacation deal, please contact Jenny.Cowley@cbc.ca

Do you shop online?  

Ever buy a brand-name product online and believe you may have ended up with a fake? If so, we want to hear from you. Reach out to Jenny.Cowley@cbc.ca

What should we investigate next?

Our television season has wrapped, but you can catch up on previous Marketplace investigations on CBC Gem. From scams, misleading marketing claims, to products and services that could put your health at risk, we are working on bringing you brand new investigations this fall. If you have a story you think we should be covering, email us at marketplace@cbc.ca.