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Consumer Q's for Dec. 6, 2007

   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:  Portable heaters can be dangerous when used improperly.  Here are some safety items you need to remember.

Portable heaters are only allowed in one or two family dwellings.

Never leave a kerosene heater unattended while in use.

Never operate a kerosene heater in a room without proper ventilation.

Never use gasoline or any other fuel in a heater designed for kerosene.  This could cause the fuel to boil over and out of the tank and create a major fire.

Never store fuel inside your home.  Always refill heaters outside, wiping up any spills.

Never place any portable heater close to combustibles such as furniture, walls, drapes, etc.  Check owner's manual for proper clearance instructions.

Never leave electric heaters plugged "in" when not in use.  Check and make sure that the portable heater that you purchase is listed by an approved testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

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In the past I have bought strawberries in the store that were very red but had more white than usual in the meat.  Are they being artificially ripened?

No.  They are not being artificially ripened.  Different cultivars of strawberries have varying degrees of white on the inside.  This time of year there are a lot of California strawberries in our stores and they tend to have a higher degree of white.

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I’m interested in canning vegetables using the water bath method.  Can you provide me with instructions?

The water bath method is recommended for processing high-acid foods such as apples, apricots, rhubarb and tomatoes.  Pressure canning is the only safe method of canning all vegetables (except tomatoes). Jars of food are placed in a pressure canner which is heated to a temperature of at least 240°F.  This temperature can be reached only in a pressure canner.  We will be happy to send you information on both methods.

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My family and I recently had dinner at a very popular restaurant.  While there I observed that and at times, the cashier would double as a waitress preparing salads, bread baskets, etc.  I was very surprised that these unsanitary methods were being practiced.  Will you please send one of your food inspectors to this restaurant?

The Georgia Department of Agriculture, Consumer Protection Division does not inspect food service operations.  We are responsible for inspecting food sales establishments (processing plants, grocery stores, food storage warehouses).  The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Environmental Health Section is responsible for foodservice operations (restaurants and institutions).

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What is a wood infestation report and what should it cover?

Most new homeowners will receive an official Georgia wood infestation inspection report at closing.  This report is a statement as to what is found at the time of inspection as far as infestation, active or previous, and conditions conducive to the infestation of the covered organisms.  The covered organisms are subterranean termites, dry wood termites, powder post beetles, wood boring beetles and wood decay fungi.  The report includes a guarantee that if infestation is found during the 90 day coverage period, the property will receive a treatment, consistent with the standards of the rules of the Georgia Structural Pest Control Act.  Neither the guarantee nor the report covers the disclosure or repair of any damage caused by the covered organisms.

The report contains a treatment section where the issuing company will disclose if they have treated the home and if the home is under a treatment contract with the issuing company.  If the home is under a treatment guarantee, it may be advisable to continue coverage with the company.  If the home is not under a guarantee, it is advisable to have your home annually inspected and protected with a professional pest management company.

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I need assistance in locating growers of grass - fed beef, goats, lamb, chicken, and turkey, as well as organic eggs.   Is there a list of farmers in the Atlanta area like this?   Any help would be appreciated.

Some organic produce is sold at Morningside Farmers Market 1397 Highland Avenue, NE Atlanta. A contact would be Margaret Putnam 770 787-7300. An additional reference would be to go to www.georgiaorganics.org/ and click on the organic directory tab and select the type of business you are interested in locating.

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