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Consumer Q's - September 7, 2006

September 7, 2006        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 Alert/Recall:  Pool Toys Recalled by Wild Planet Toys Due to Risk of Impalement Injury to Children
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should immediately contact the company for refund or replacement.  Name of Product:   Jet Streamers™ Water Blasters Pool Toys; Units:   About 273,000; Manufacturer:   Wild Planet Toys Inc., of San Francisco, Calif.  Hazard:   When partially filled with water, the pool toy can stand upright on the pool floor with the rigid narrow end pointed upward, posing an impalement risk.  Incidents/Injuries:   Wild Planet has received one report of an impalement injury to an 8-year-old girl who landed seat first onto a Jet Streamer left in a swimming pool and received a puncture wound.  Description:   The Jet Streamers™ Outdoor Antics! Pump-Action Water Blasters are straight squirt guns for the pool.  The Jet Streamers measure 9-inches long with a bulbous water reservoir at one end and a rigid tapering handle containing a small water intake hole at the other end.  The tapering handle is gray while the bulbous water reservoir varies in colors of white/green, blue/yellow and orange/silver.  Tiny raised lettering on the Jet Streamers’ handles state, “©2002 Wild Planet Toys, San Francisco, CA, USA, Made in China.”  The toys were sold as a 2-pack set, in packages with other pool toys, such as dive balls and magnet dive gloves, and with boys’ swim trunks.  The product packaging is labeled “Jet Streamers,” “Wild Planet” and is for children ages five and older.  Sold by:   Target, Kohl’s, internet retailers, discount department stores and toy stores nationwide from February 2003 through August 2006 for between $6 and $13 a set.  Manufactured in:   China; Remedy:   Customers should immediately stop using the Jet Streamers and contact Wild Planet for a replacement product.  The replacement product has an angled handle that prevents the handle of the toy from standing upright.  Consumer Contact:   For additional information, contact Wild Planet Toys at (800) 247-6570 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit Wild Planet’s Web site at www.wildplanet.com/jetstreamers, or email the firm at: help@wildplanet.com

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Keep Pecans and Persimmons Well Watered
Keep pecans and persimmons adequately moist to encourage good development of the kernels and fruit. Water stress on pecans now can cause poor filling of kernels. Persimmons under water stress may drop fruit prematurely

Shear Herbs and Summer-Blooming Salvias
Shear back herb plants that are ragged looking from the effects of summer. They will respond with new growth in the coming months. Summer-blooming salvias, such as S. greggii (autumn sage), S. farinacea (mealy blue sage) and S. 'Indigo Spires' also will respond to being cut back now. In fall they will put on another great show.

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Can you tell me about the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens in Savannah?

The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens is a 52-acre branch experiment station of the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.  It is an educational and research resource for the citizens of Georgia.  Formerly, a USDA plant introduction station, the Bamboo Farm still contains many of the original buildings built between 1918 and 1930.  For more information you can visit their website at http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/horticulture/coastalgarden/coastalgarden.htm. or contact their offices at 912/921-5460 .

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Why is Georgia referred to as the “Peach State” even though peanuts are seen in more places?

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, the Georgia General Assembly has never designated an official nickname for the State.  The General Assembly did however, select the peanut to be the official state crop in 1995.  Georgia produces nearly 50 percent of the total United State peanut crop and more than 50 percent of peanuts used in the production of peanut butter. Georgia leads the nation in peanut exports.  However, Georgia grown peaches are recognized for their superior flavor, texture, appearance and nutritious qualities that promote a healthy, balanced diet.  Georgia is known as the “Peach State” because of the growers’ reputation for producing the highest quality fruit.  The peach became the official state fruit in 1995.

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How should home dried fruit be packaged and stored?

Dried foods should be thoroughly cooled before packaging. Pack the fruit as tightly as possible (without crushing) into clean, dry, insect-proof containers.  Some good containers are fruit jars; clear air-tight plastic containers and plastic freezer bags you can seal with heat, twist tapes, string or rubber bands.  Package fruits in small amounts that can be used within several days after opening.  There will be a slight deterioration in quality every time the fruit is exposed to air.  Store your containers of dried fruit in a dry, cool and dark place.  Low storage temperatures extend the shelf life of the dried product.  Check the fruit occasionally to insure that moisture has not been reabsorbed.  You can see any moisture that collects on the inside of glass jars plastic containers or freezer bags.  If there is any sign of spoilage (off-color or mold growth), discard the food.  Recommended storage time is 6 to 12 months.

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I love the Market Bulletin and want to know on what date was it first published?

The Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin, originally titled the Georgia Farmers Bulletin, was established by J.J. Brown, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, on March 1, 1917.  It is currently a bi-weekly publication that has over 200,000 subscribers.

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