Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cavities Anyone?


Have you and your family had cavities lately? If yes, you may want to read this article, published by both the NYTimes and Msnbc. You may be surprised:

"With increasingly sophisticated detection technology, dentists are finding — and treating — tooth abnormalities that may or may not develop into cavities. While some describe their efforts as a proactive strategy to protect patients from harm, critics say the procedures are unnecessary and painful, and are driving up the costs of care.
“A better approach is watchful waiting,” said Dr. James Bader, a research professor at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. “Examine it again in six months.”

Every time a dentist drills into a tooth, he added, “you’re condemning that person to a refilling” years down the road.
An incipient carious lesion is the initial stage of structural damage to the enamel, usually caused by a bacterial infection that produces tooth-dissolving acid.
The lesion doesn’t always lead to a full-blown cavity, which entails decay of the layer right beneath the enamel, called dentin. Mineral-containing saliva can repair these lesions, especially when bolstered with fluoride.
Many experts think it doesn’t make sense to operate in the early stages of decay. “If you don’t have any kind of demonstrable collapse of the enamel wall, then you shouldn’t put in a filling,” Dr. Bader said."
For more information, logon to nytimes or msnbc

RECALL ALERT: Chicken Sausage in California

Papa Cantella's Inc., a Vernon, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 456 pounds of chicken sausages because of misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product being recalled contains walnuts, a known allergen, which is not noted on the label.

The products subject to recall includes: [View Label]: 

  • 16-oz. packages of "CANTELLA'S FULLY COOKED CHICKEN SAUSAGE WITH APPLES," bearing the identifying lot numbers of "10191100" or "10191100R" and sell/freeze by dates of "12/03/2011" or "12/06/2011."

Each package bears the establishment number "P-6016" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The product subject to recall was produced on Oct. 19, 2011, and distributed to retail establishments in the Southern California area.

Consumers and news reporters with questions about the recall should contact the company's vice president, Tony Cantella, at (800) 727-2676, Ext. 106.


Source: fda.gov

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

RECALL ALERT: Canned Pumpkin


Giant Eagle, Inc. performed a voluntary market withdrawal of all Valu Time brand canned pumpkin purchased on or after August 30, 2011, as well as all Food Club brand canned pumpkin purchased on or after October 28, 2011. These brands are produced by Topco Associates, LLC.
The market withdrawal was performed out of an abundance of caution as a result of the product not meeting quality standards. While Giant Eagle is not aware of any immediate health concern, the company is working with Topco to further investigate the situation and wil notify customers if any additional actions are warranted as a result of these efforts.
Customers should not consume these products in any way, or anything in which they were used as ingredients, and should dispose of the product.
Customers are invited to receive a full refund, complimentary pie, or replacement ingredients, from any area Giant Eagle, Inc. supermarket.

Source: fda.gov

Disposing for Good



Doesn't it feel like we keep disposing the same items day after day? There are many ways to reduce our environmental impact by replacing standard disposable items with reusable alternatives. 
I read this article from Care2, and thought these tips to reduce waste are very reasonable. Check them out:
"12 categories of disposable products that can easily be replaced with reusable products.
1. Beverage bottles: Disposable plastic water bottles are one of the great demons of the environmental movement, sending unnecessary plastic into the landfill. A variety of reusable metal and plastic alternatives are widely available. They are typically more expensive than a bottle of Evian, but they are infinitely refillable, saving plenty of money in the long run. Also consider reusable bottles and cups for soda and other beverages.
Milk containers pose other environmental problems. While plastic jugs are typically recyclable, they often end up in the landfill, where they may take hundreds of years to decompose. However, old-fashioned milk delivery in reusable glass bottles is becoming popular again. Also, more vendors, particularly natural foods grocers, are offering milk in reusable glass or plastic bottles.
To be sure, production and transportation of glass bottles is quite energy-intensive. However, reusing the glass and getting milk from local dairies significantly reduces the environmental impact.
2. Plastic bags: Disposable plastic grocery bags, though convenient, are another environmental scourge. An estimated 60,000 plastic bags are used every five seconds in the U.S. However, it seems that with each passing month, more shoppers at local grocery stores are bringing reusable bags made of cloth, canvas or other materials.
Smaller disposable plastic produce bags can also be replaced with cloth bags. Consider getting some used pillowcases at thrift stores, or sew small cloth sacks, and take them to the store along with your reusable shopping bags. Also look for bulk bins, and bring your own containers for grains, snacks, cereals and other foods. Instead of getting cereal in a disposable waxed paper bag within a disposable cardboard box, just put it in your own container.
You can even pour cereal or other foods into your own glass jars for home storage. Just be sure to measure and mark the tare, or empty, container weight.
3. Takeout containers: Even if you get reusable containers and bags to clean up your act at the grocery store, you may still get plenty of disposable materials when you eat out. Fast food outlets and other restaurants that use plastic cutlery and containers generate plenty of waste. But you can help reduce the waste stream by carrying your own metal or bamboo utensil sets, and bringing reusable food containers.
Some restaurants may bar such containers for fear of cross-contamination. However, others encourage reusable containers and recognize the financial and environmental benefits. At the very least, they can’t stop you from putting leftovers in your own container instead of their disposable plastic or Styrofoam boxes.
4. Coffee cups and filters: Many of us can’t do without our daily coffee, but we can enjoy it without disposable cups and filters. Carry a reusable mug in your car for coffee on the go, and keep one at the office for workplace coffee. Many coffee shops even offer a discount for java junkies who bring their own cup.
For making coffee at home, consider replacing disposable paper filters with permanent filters made with stainless steel or other products. Also consider replacing disposable single-serving packages of coffee grounds with bulk coffee in reusable containers.
5. Toiletries: Next, it’s time to brush away the coffee breath. While a partly disposable toothbrush is essentially unavoidable, you can reduce 93 percent of toothbrush waste by replacing the head on these reusable toothbrush handles.
Likewise, disposable razors can be replaced with less wasteful (albeit more expensive) razors with permanent handles and small disposable heads, which last longer than many disposable alternatives. Other less wasteful alternatives include straight razors and electric razors. Of course, the latter require energy for charging, but they don’t require hot water or shaving foam.
6. Baby diapers and wipes: In 2006, American babies wore 3.6 millions tons of disposable diapers, generating 2 percent of all municipal waste, in the form of stinky plastic balls that might take centuries to decompose.
However, the reusable cloth alternative is making a comeback. Cloth diapers can either be washed at home or cleaned through a diaper service.
Stacks of studies in recent years have compared the environmental impacts of disposable and cloth diapers. While some studies show that more water and electricity is used in laundering cloth diapers than in producing an equivalent number of disposable diapers. However, it is undeniable that disposable diapers generate more waste. Moreover, cloth diaper users can reduce energy usage by line-drying diapers.
Reusable baby wipes and nursing pads are also widely available.
7. Feminine products: Women in the United States throw out an estimated 12 billion sanitary pads and 7 billions tampons every year. There are several reusable alternatives, including menstrual cups and washable cloth pads.
8. Toilet paper: This may be the toughest sell on the list, but washable cloth wipes can replace standard toilet paper. Another option, although it is a big-ticket item, is to switch to a bidet.
9. Newspapers and magazines: By some measures, newspapers and magazines are the only single source of trash larger than diapers. As a magazine contributor and former newspaper editor, it pains me to admit that reusable alternatives can replace physically delivered newspapers and magazines. Computers and e-readers offer low-waste options for reading the news, and many laptops and e-readers use relatively little energy.
10. Cleaning products: Replace paper towels and other cleaning products with reusable alternatives. For example, Skoy uses cotton and cellulose to make quick-drying, absorbent cloths that can replace both paper towels and sponges for many cleaning jobs.
Swiffer mops are also very popular, but are essentially disposable and quite wasteful. Reusable microfiber cloths do the same job with less waste. Standard disposable sponges can also be replaced with natural cellulose sponges, which can be disinfected in the microwave. These natural cellulose sponges also have other environmental advantages. They are not packaged with embedded chemical disinfectants, like most disposable sponges.
11. Batteries: As a new parent, I am starting to realize that children can generate a steady stream of used batteries, which should only be tossed out in certain locations. Avoid the hassle and the waste by using rechargeable batteries and a home charger.
Check for compatibility before using rechargeable batteries in certain devices. There are several types of batteries, and some devices work better with specific types. Also seek out high-quality rechargeable batteries, as their charge levels and longevity are worth the extra cost. The Sanyo Eneloop may cost more than $3 each, but they come pre-charged and can be recharged up to 1,500 times, and they are widely considered the best rechargeable batteries on the market.
12. Pens and ink cartridges: Disposable plastic pens may be everywhere, but you may be able to write better and generate less waste with a refillable pen. If you let your printer do most of your writing, switch to refillable cartridges. Many companies remanufacture and refill ink cartridges. These professional refills are generally considered a better option than home refill kits, which can be messy and ineffective."

Source: Yahoo, Care2

Recycling Electronics



This is that time of the year when people splurge on new electronics. Well, you seem very excited with the new "stuff", but don't forget your responsibility of disposing the old "stuff" properly. It can have a big impact on our environment. 


Here is a recommendation from experts on how to recycle electronics:
  • Give cell phones back to their manufacturers or donate them to charity.
  • Return iPods to Apple for recycling or sell them for parts.
  • Keep old TVs out of landfills by taking them to a safe e-cycling facility.
  • Take e-waste to stores like Best Buy and Staples that have recycling programs.
  • Search Earth 911's database of recycling locations across the U.S.

Source: Yahoo

Monday, November 28, 2011

iDisorder Symptoms, and How to Detox



Do you have an iDisorder? Check out the symptoms and how to detox,  according to Professor Larry Rosen of California State University, Dominguez Hills, an expert in the field of the psychology of technology and the author of numerous books on that subject:

"Many people today live in a state of “artificial urgency.” You perceive you must react quickly because technology delivers information and messages quickly. “If you are obsessed with your device," says Rosen, "you don’t pay attention to your responsibilities at work, in the family, or even your social life.”
Rosen believes many of us are on the verge of what he calls an “iDisorder” — the “media technologies that we interact with may be imbuing us with signs and symptoms of one of many psychological disorders.” These include conditions such as attention deficit disorder, narcissism, and social phobia. 
These are symptoms Rosen has identified as showing your tech habits might be unhealthy:
               You can’t go more than a few minutes without checking your smartphone for email or texts.
               You log onto Facebook many times a day so you won’t miss an “important” post.
               You feel your phone vibrate and whip it out of your pocket and discover it was a case of “phantom pocket vibration syndrome.
               You excuse yourself to the restroom specifically to check in with your online world.
               You sleep with your cell phone next to you and say you are using it as an alarm when, really, you want to be able to check texts that come in during the night.
How to detox from technology
Most people can benefit from stepping back. Start with 15 minutes of going without checking emails, texts, or social networking sites. Then enjoy using your tech toys for a one-minute "tech break" — a time to use technology. As you discover you aren’t going to miss anything drastically important and start to feel more at ease and focused, you can increase the time between tech breaks.
For kids, Rosen says, “The genie is out of the bottle. We are long past changing our childrens’ distractible behavior.” He cites a study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project that found even when schools ban cell phones nearly half of teens still send at least one text during class every day.
Rather than fighting kids' compulsion to be connected, Rosen says it’s more productive to help them gradually expand the time they can stay focused on something other than their mobile device or computer. For example, ask your child or teen to put down their device during a family meal but assure them that they can have a one-minute tech break every 15 minutes afterwards.
Gradually increase the time between tech breaks. Rosen says this strategy is even being implemented in schools where some kids’ anxiety about checking their devices can make it difficult for them to focus in class. 
Time outdoors resets the brain
Another strategy Rosen recommends is taking a nature break or 15-minute walk outdoors. Using MRIs, researchers at UCLA have shown that using the Internet or playing videos games creates a heightened level of neural activity in the brain. While this can increase a person’s multitasking ability, Dr. Gary Small, the author of the study, suspects it also disconnects us from other people.
As an antidote, Rosen points to research out of the University of Michigan that shows taking a nature break “calms the mind and resets brain physiology.” Nature breaks don’t work as well in urban environments with lots of stimuli, but it turns out that looking at photographs of natural environments has a similar calming effect on the brain — as long as one has put aside their technological devices.
While technology has many benefits, texting and Web surfing can become the equivalent of junk food — a quick, unhealthy fix that replaces something more nourishing. If you find that your personal relationships don’t seem as rich as they once were or that your mind is buzzing and unfocused, you might want to evaluate your use of technology and try one of these detox techniques.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

RECALL ALERT: Sweetened Dried Cranberries


Ocean Spray is recalling certain lots of packaged and bulk original flavor Craisins -- sweetened dried cranberries -- because they may be contaminated with small, hairlike metal particles.
Ocean Spray announced the voluntary recall late Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. A spokeswoman for the company could not immediately comment on the timing of the recall following one of the most cranberry-centric holidays of the year.
Company officials say certain lots of Craisins in 5-ounce, 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages are affected by the recall, as well as bulk sweetened dried cranberries in 10-pound packages.
The recalled product lots (only dates followed by the letter M are affected) are:
  • 5-oz. Craisins UPC: 00293-000 Best By Dates/Letter: Oct 27 2012 M
  • 10-oz. Craisins UPC: 29456-000 and 29464-000 Best By Dates/Letter: Oct 27 2012 M, Oct 28 2012 M, Oct 29 2012 M
  • 48-oz. Craisins UPC: 00678-318 Best By Dates/Letter: Oct 27 2012 M, Oct 28 2012 M, Nov 3 2012 M, Nov 4 2012 M, Nov 5 2012 M, Nov 6 2012 M, Nov 7 2012 M, Nov 10 2012 M, Nov 11 2012 M.
  • 10-lb. bulk ingredient & food service UPC: 03477-000 Best By Dates/Letter: 30 Oct 2013 M, 31 Oct 2013 M, 1 Nov 2013 M, 5 Nov 2013 M. 
  • Ocean Spray urged consumers to destroy the product, save the UPC label and Best By dates and contact the Ocean Spray consumer hotline at 1-800-662-3263.
Source: msnbc.com

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

2011 "10 Worst Toys List"

Check out the 2011 "10 Worst Toys List", published by World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc (W.A.T.C.H.), a charitable non-profit organization from Massachusetts. It is compiled with toys with the potential to cause childhood injuries, or even death.
For the complete list and more information on each toy, please click here

TWIST 'n SORTPOWER RANGERS SAMURAI MEGA BLADEFOLD & GO TRAMPOLINEPULLING ANIMAL DUCKSCHOOL BUS
Z-CURVE BOWSTEPPER "LOW RISE" STILTSSWORD FIGHTING JACK SPARROWTHE INCREDIBLE SHRINKY DINKS MAKER"GIGAN" GODZILLA FIGURE

Monday, November 21, 2011

Food Expiration: Keeping Your Kitchen Healthy and Waste-Free

I came across this very insightful article from Care2 Green Living, a great guide about food "sell by" and "expiration" dates. It is a great tool to keep your kitchen healthy and also waste-free.

"A recent poll of more than 2,000 adults showed that most of us discard food we believe is unsafe to eat, which is a good thing, of course, but it is important that we understand what food expiration dates mean before we dump our food -- and our money -- down the drain or into the garbage. On average, in the U.S. we waste about 14% of the food we buy each year. The average American family of four throws out around $600 worth of groceries every year. 
Which five foods are most often feared as being unsafe after the printed date? According toShelfLifeAdvice.com, we are most wary of milk, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, yogurt, and eggs, and the site offers these helpful explanations:
  • Milk: If properly refrigerated, milk will remain safe, nutritious, and tasty for about a week after the sell-by date and will probably be safe to drink longer than that, though there’s a decline in nutritional value and taste.
  • Cottage cheese: Pasteurized cottage cheese lasts for 10-14 days after the date on the carton.
  • Mayonnaise: Unopened, refrigerated Kraft mayonnaise can be kept for 30 days after its expiration date or 3-4 months after opening, the company told ShelfLifeAdvice.
  • Yogurt: Yogurt will remain good 7-10 days after its sell-by date.
  • Eggs: Properly refrigerated eggs should last at least 3-5 weeks after the sell-by date, according to Professor Joe Regenstein, a food scientist at Cornell University. Note: Use of either a sell-by or expiration (EXP) date is not federally required, but may be state required, as defined by the egg laws in the state where the eggs are marketed.
The “Use-By” Date
The “use-by” or “best if used-by” date indicates the last day that the item is at its best quality as far as taste, texture, appearance, odor, and nutritional value. The decline after that is gradual. The use-by date refers to product that has not yet been opened.
The “Sell By” Date
The “sell by” date is not really a matter of food safety, but a notice to stores that the product should be taken off the shelf because it will begin to decline in quality after that date.
The Law
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): “Product dating is not generally required by federal regulations. However, if a calendar date is used, it must express both the month and day of the month (and the year, in the case of shelf-stable and frozen products). If a calendar date is shown, immediately adjacent to the date must be a phrase explaining the meaning of that date such as "sell-by" or "use before."
There is no uniform or universally accepted system used for food dating in the United States. Although dating of some foods is required by more than 20 states, there are areas of the country where much of the food supply has some type of open date and other areas where almost no food is dated.”
Food-Borne Illness
Cross-contamination and unsanitary conditions are a primary cause of food-related illnesses, whether it occurs in the home or in a restaurant, and this is independent of any expiration date. The leading culprits are:
  • Improper hand-washing prior to food preparation.
  • Storing food at the wrong temperature.
  • Cooking food to an inadequate temperature.
  • Cross-contamination (raw meats that come into contact with salads, for instance).
  • Improper washing of fresh produce."


Always use your instinct. If the food smells bad, looks moldy or weird, get rid of it even if it is within the producer's expiration date!

Top Unhealthiest Wintertime Drinks


Winter is a rough season, when we tend to warm ourselves with creamy and sweet drinks. Well, you may want to rethink that! Check out the ridiculous amount of calories and fat you will find in some to the top seller drinks:
12. Starbucks: White Hot Chocolate 
Serving Size: 20 oz
Calories: 570
Saturated Fat: 21 g
11. Panera: Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Serving Size: 14.25 oz
Calories: 610
Saturated Fat: 11 g
10. Starbucks: Eggnog Latte
Serving Size: 20 oz
Calories: 630
Saturated Fat: 30 g
9. McDonald's: Frappe Caramel 
Serving Size: 22 oz
Calories: 680
Saturated Fat: 29 g
8. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf: Gingerbread Cookie Ice Blended Drink
Serving Size: 24 oz
Calories: 690
Saturated Fat: 11 g
7. Starbucks: Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
Serving Size: 20 oz
Calories: 700
Saturated Fat: 7 g
6. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf: Gingerbread Cookie Ice Blended Drink
Serving Size: 24 oz
Calories: 710
Saturated Fat: 12 g
5. Caribou Coffee: Ho Ho Mint White Chocolate
Serving Size: 20 oz
Calories: 790
Saturated Fat: 27 g
4. Caribou Coffee: Spicy Milk Chocolate Mocha
Serving Size: 20 oz
Calories: 880
Saturated Fat: 26 g
3. Chik-Fil-A: Peppermint Chocolate Milkshake
Serving Size: 19.43
Calories: 930
Saturated Fat: 20 g
2. Dairy Queen: Pumpkin Pie Blizzard
Serving Size: 20 oz
Calories: 1050
Saturated Fat: 22 g
1. Sonic: Holiday Spiced Sugar Cookie Blast
Serving Size: 20.8 oz
Calories: 1256
Saturated Fat: 39.6 g

Source: Yahoo Green

Friday, November 18, 2011

Beautiful Wholesome Bread Making

I love rustic bread, specially the ones with thick crust, but I've never been able to make a crusty one myself. It looks like the trade secret might be the cornmeal!
I've just come across this beautiful wholesome bread recipe, from Martha Shulman, and can't wait to try it. Bread making can be time consuming, so gotta wait for weekends to try them out. 




Yeasted Country Bread with Cornmeal
Servings: one round loaf
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 435 grams (2 cups) lukewarm water
  • 130 grams (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 300 grams (2 cups) whole-wheat flour, plus additional as required for kneading
  • 130 grams (1 cup) finely ground cornmeal
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons salt
Combine the yeast, sugar and water in a large bowl or the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and stir until dissolved. Add the all-purpose flour and stir together until smooth. Cover with plastic and let sit in a warm spot until bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Stir the cornmeal into the sponge, then add the salt and the remaining flour, a cup at a time, and fold in until you can turn your dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. If using an electric mixer, add all the flour and the salt, and beat at low speed with the paddle attachment until combined. Change to the dough hook and beat at medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball.
Clean your bowl and oil lightly with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, rounded side down first, then rounded side up. Cover with plastic and set in a warm spot to rise for 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Punch down the dough and shape into a large round. With a razor or moistened serrated knife, slash an X across the top. Oil a baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place the loaf on the baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Leave until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to an hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Place the dough in the oven and set the timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes turn the heat down to 400 degrees. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until the loaf responds to tapping with a hollow sound. Remove from the heat and allow to cool on a rack.
Nutritional information per 2-ounce slice: 109 calories; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 23 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 329 milligrams sodium; 4 grams protein

Too Much Vitamin D Can Cause Heart Problems


New research shows that higher than normal levels of vitamin D can make your heart beat too fast and out of rhythm, a condition called atrial fibrillation, according to a report presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association.

The study, which followed 132,000 patients at a Utah based medical center, found that the risk of newly developed atrial fibrillation jumped almost three-fold when blood levels of vitamin D were high. 
High levels of vitamin D only occur when people take supplements,  said the study’s lead author, Dr. Jared Bunch, director of electrophysiology research at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah.Bunch said. Because consumers assume supplements sold over the counter are safe, they may not realize the danger of taking too much vitamin D, he added.The recommended daily intake of vitamin D for people from 1 year to age 70 is 600 IUs, or international units a day, based on what is sufficient for bone health, according to the National Institutes of Health. There are few natural food sources of vitamin D, although oily fish such as tuna or salmon are among the best. For example, 3 ounces of cooked salmon contains 447 IUs of vitamin D per serving. Small amounts are also found in cheese and egg yolks. The Department of Agriculture provides a comprehensive list of foods containing vitamin D.


Source: msnbc

Thursday, November 17, 2011

RECALL ALERT: Romaine Lettuce with E.coli

Ready Pac Foods, Inc. of Irwindale, CA is recalling a total of 5,379 cases of  bagged salad products containing Romaine lettuce, as listed below, with the Use-by Date of November 18, 2011 because they may be contaminated with E. coli (E.coli O157:H7).   E.coli O157:H7 is an organism that may cause diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

The recall extends only to the select products with Use-by Date November 18, and sold in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.  No other Ready Pac Foods, Inc. products are included in the recall.


No illnesses related to these products have been reported.

The voluntary recall was initiated based on a single positive random sample result for E.coli O157:H7 reported to Ready Pac by the FDA. Ready Pac is fully cooperating with the FDA on the recall.

Because it is still possible that products bearing the Use-by Date of November 18, 2011 could be on store shelves, this recall extends to retailers as well as consumers. Ready Pac believes that it is important to alert consumers and retailers who might still possess one of the potentially affected salads to dispose of it immediately.

Instructions for Consumers:

Check your refrigerator for the above listed products with the Use-by Date of November 18, 2011. The Use-by Date can be found in the upper left hand corner of the package with the UPC numbers located on the back side of the bag.

Consumers who may have purchased the affected product are asked to record the Use-by Date and UPC number, immediately dispose of the product, and contact the Ready Pac Consumer Affairs representative, toll-free at (800) 800-7822, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) to obtain a full refund.

Ready Pac Foods, Inc. has earned an outstanding safety record for over 40 years and has taken immediate precautionary measures to protect public health by issuing this voluntary recall and removing product from the market.  We have notified all of our retail customers who have received the product in question and directed them to remove it from their shelves.

Source: fda.gov