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Consumer Q's for 7/17/08

Contact: Teresa Jenkins
(404) 656-3645
1-800-282-5852

CONSUMER Q’s

Prepared by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Office of Public Affairs
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
Call Consumer Q’s Hotline at 1-800-282-5852

Consumer Recall: Lawn Mowers Recalled by American Honda Motor Corp. Due to Laceration Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Honda Lawn Mowers; Units: 20,500; Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Corp., of Torrance, Calif. Hazard: The lawn mower’s rear shield can break off allowing debris to be thrown toward the operator, which poses a laceration hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: American Honda has received one report of a shield breaking off the lawn mower. No injuries have been reported. Description: This recall involves HRX walk-behind lawn mowers with model numbers HRX217(K)2HXA and HRX217(K)2HMA. The model and serial number are printed on a label located on the upper rear of the mower deck. Serial numbers included in the recall are MAGA-1500001 through 1520532. The recalled lawn mowers are red with “HONDA” written on the bag. Sold by: Authorized American Honda Motor Corp. dealers and Home Depot stores nationwide from October 2007 to June 2008 for about $900. Manufactured in: United States; Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lawn mowers and contact their local Honda Lawn and Garden dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners of the recalled lawn mowers have been contacted by direct mail notification. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Honda at (800) 426-7701 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Honda’s Web site at www.hondapowerequipment.com

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I have heard there is a green tomato that is green even when it is ripe. Is that true?

There are several varieties of tomatoes that are green even when ripe. 'Evergreen, ‘Green Grape' and 'Green Zebra' are three of the varieties of green tomatoes available today. These varieties add a surprise to salads and sandwiches for people who are not aware of anything other than red tomatoes. Although red tomatoes are the most common, there are also orange, yellow, purple, pink and white varieties. (The "white" is closer to ivory and the pink is a rosy red instead of the more common orangey red.) Unripe tomatoes can also be used in various dishes including salsa and the classic Southern fried green tomatoes.

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My family loves seafood. How can I be sure what I buy will be safe to eat?

When choosing seafood, you should:

Buy only from reputable sources. Be wary, for example, of vendors selling “fresh” fish out of the back of their pick- up trucks.
Buy only “fresh” seafood that is refrigerated or properly iced.
Don’t buy cooked seafood, such as shrimp, crabs or smoked fish if displayed in the same case as raw fish. Cross-contamination can occur.
Don’t buy frozen seafood if the packages are open, torn or crushed on the edges. Avoid packages that are above the frost line in the store’s freezer. If the package cover is transparent, look for signs of frost or ice crystals. This could mean that the fish has either been stored for a long time or thawed and refrozen.
Put seafood on ice, in the refrigerator or in the freezer, immediately after buying it.
Recreational fishers who plan to eat their catch should follow state and local government advisories about fishing areas and eating fish from certain areas.

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What is the best way to store seafood?

The length of time seafood can be stored depends on the type of seafood and whether or not it will be refrigerated or frozen. Please contact the office of consumer services and request a cold storage chart.

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How can I tell if fish is fresh?

The fish's eyes should be clear and bulge a little. Only a few fish, such as walleye, have naturally cloudy eyes.

Whole fish and fillets should have firm and shiny flesh. Dull flesh may mean the fish is old. Fresh whole fish also should have bright red gills free from slime.

If the flesh doesn't spring back when pressed, the fish isn't fresh.

There should be no darkening around the edges of the fish or brown or yellowish discoloration.

The fish should smell fresh and mild, not fishy or ammonia-like.

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If you have questions or problems with products or services regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, you may write the Office of Public Affairs, Room 224, 19 Martin Luther King Drive, Atlanta 30334 or 404/656-3645 (metro Atlanta) or 1-800-282-5852 (state wide).

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