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Consumer Q's - September 21, 2006

Contact:  Teresa Jenkins (404)656-3645 or 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 PRODUCT RECALL:  The Cayre Group Recalls Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Sold at Kohl’s for Strangulation Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  Name of Product:   “Candie’s” Brand Children’s Hoodie Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Units:   About 4,500 Manufacturer:   The Cayre Group, of New York, N.Y.  Hazard:   These sweatshirts have a drawstring through the hood, posing a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.  Incidents/Injuries:   No incidents or injuries have been reported.  Description:   The recalled hoodie style zip front hooded sweatshirts were sold in four youth sizes S (7-8), M (9-12), L (14) and XL (16.) The sweatshirts have drawstrings through the hood and were available in two colors, Blue Bell and Demitasse.  A tag sewn on the inside of the garment reads, “Candie’s.”  Sold at:   Kohl’s department stores and on Kohls.com from August 2006 through September 2006 for between $20 and $36.  Manufactured in:   Philippines; Remedy:   Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, or contact The Cayre Group to return the merchandise for a full refund.  Consumer Contact:   For additional information, contact The Cayre Group at (800) 284-3023 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site www.cayre.com

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We have enjoyed growing shitake mushrooms for several years and sharing them with our friends.  Do you have any information about selling mushrooms?

Our office of consumer protection advises that unless you begin to sell to other than family and friends a license will not be required.  However, should you desire to set up a roadside stand or sell to a retail outlet, licensing will become a requirement.  You would need to contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture for basic regulatory requirements.

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What is food borne illness?

Food borne illness often presents itself as flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, so many people may not recognize the illness is caused by bacteria or other pathogens in food.  Thousands of types of bacteria are naturally present in our environment.  Not all bacteria cause disease in humans.  For example, some bacteria are used beneficially in making cheese and yogurt.

Bacteria that cause disease are called pathogens.  When certain pathogens enter the food supply, they can cause food borne illness.  Millions of cases of food borne illness occur each year.  Most cases of food borne illness can be prevented.  Proper cooking or processing of food destroys bacteria.

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What is the difference between distilled and purified water?

"Purified Water" means bottled water produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable process and that meets the definition of purified water in the most recent edition of the United States Pharmacopoeia.  Water which meets the definition of purified water and is vaporized, then condensed, may be labeled "distilled water".  "Distilled Water" means bottled water which has been produced by a process of distillation and meets the definition of purified water in the most recent edition of the United States Pharmacopoeia.  To view definitions of water please visit our rules at:  General Rules Chapter 40-7-1 1 RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF ... or contact our office of consumer services (Metro Atlanta) 404/656-3645 or 1-800-282-5852 for a printed copy.

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Do clothing manufacturers have to name all fabrics in a garment on the label?

The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act protects consumers and producers from false advertising and mislabeling of the fiber content of textile fiber products.  This act requires most textile products sold at retail price to have labels stating the textile fiber content.

To reduce confusion, the law establishes 21 generic or family names of textile fibers.  If you learn the generic names, you won’t need to remember the hundreds of trade names.  For example, polyester is a generic fiber classification; Dacron, Kodel and Fortrel are all manufacturers’ trade names for their polyester fibers.  Each label must give the following information:  The generic or family name of the fiber, The name of the manufacturer or a registered identification number or trade mark; The percent of each fiber in the fabric listed in order of its predominance by weight.  If a particular fiber is five percent or less, it may be designated as “other fiber”; the country of origin, if other than the United States.  The fiber trade name may be given on the label, if desired.  If so, the trade name cannot be used without the generic classification and the trade name may not be in larger print than the generic.  Fibers in each generic class behave much the same.  It’s wise to learn the generic names and their general characteristics.

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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 Jr., Drive, Atlanta 30334 or call 404/656-3645 (metro Atlanta) or 1-800-282-5852 (state wide).