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An update on food waste: CBC's Marketplace consumer cheat sheet

If you've been too busy this week to keep up with health and consumer news, CBC's Marketplace is here to help.

Plus: The problem with 'no added sugar' and who (really) killed Sears

Bins full of food behind a Toronto-area Walmart store in 2016. Walmart says it has improved store processes and employee training to keep food out of the bins. (CBC)

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

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The problem with 'no added sugar'

A label that says "no added sugar" doesn't guarantee that the food is the healthiest. (Credit: iStock/Getty Images)
Just because the label boasts "reduced in sugar" doesn't necessarily mean you're making the healthiest choice. Some of these packaged products don't have big reductions in calories and still have high levels of sugar, according to a new study.

Fatal exposure to walnut dust

Justin Mathews died days after going into anaphylactic shock after inhaling a walnut shell-based product on a work site. (Sam Martin/CBC)
An Edmonton man died after he went into anaphylactic shock at a worksite where a walnut-based product was being used for sandblasting. "It's not just a food," his sister said, adding that the use of walnut-based products should be regulated and warnings issued.

Self-service tech threatens retail jobs

Retail jobs could be in jeopardy as more stores bring in new technologies to stay competitive. (Rick Wilking/Reuters)
Have you tried out new "self-scanners" at stores like Walmart? As more retailers race to bring in new technologies to stay competitive, it could be putting more jobs at risk in a sector that's already scaling back.

Who killed Sears? It's up for debate

Who's to blame for the end of Sears Canada? Depends who you ask. (Jeannie Lee/CBC)
Even though the Canadian retailer is done, the mudslinging over who brought it down has just begun, including a recent barb from the majority shareholder. Also, if there's one lesson you can take away from the end of Sears, it's that you should avoid extended warranties.

What else is going on?

Superfoods update: A company that makes granola with quinoa has removed a nutrition label that claimed quinoa "prevents cancer" after our investigation last week.

TD doesn't want you to know it's outsourcing its fraud claims cases. One employee alleges that the bank isn't being upfront with customers about who is handling their personal information.

This week in recalls:

Sorry, Soylent fans. The divisive meal replacement drink that's been called both the "future" and "end" of food, can no longer be sold in Canada because it didn't meet federal food regulations.

Trick or treat? With Halloween coming up, watch out for these recalls, including this dragon costume, these feather angel wings and two different boas.

Marketplace needs your help!

Attention online shoppers: Do you ever see a price for the same product on the same website change from day to day or hour to hour? Ever notice the price you paid jumped or dropped after you made the purchase? We want to hear from you!

Contact Katie Pedersen with your online pricing story at katie.pedersen@cbc.ca.

Food waste update

We're back on the case investigating food waste. Last year, Marketplace found bins of wasted food at Walmart, and it pledged to make a change. We check in on whether the company followed through. Plus, some children are fighting for change and inspiring others in their community. You can watch the episode online.