Recall Roundup: Jan. 1 through 9

Editor's Note: Food recalls related to a foodborne pathogen will be featured on individual blog posts. Food recalls related to food allergens, mislabeling or other causes will be rounded up, when applicable, in a Recall Roundup blog post. For up-to-the-minute information on food recalls, follow @GaMktBulletin and @GDAFoodSafety on Twitter, and visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture's food recall website.

Recalls were issued on select lots of the following products:

Merb's Candies: Bionic Apples and Double Dipped Apples sold between Sept. 8 and Nov. 25, 2014
Recalled Dec. 29; potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Read more ...







Adams Flavors, Foods & Ingredients: Eight-ounce packages of Private Selection Sweet Chipotle Panko Bread Crumbs with best by dates of Aug. 22 to Dec. 23, 2015; Private Selection Chipotle Lime Tortilla Panko Breader with best by dates of Sept. 23 to Dec. 23, 205
Recalled Dec. 31; undeclared peanut allergen. Read more ...

Jump Your Bones, Inc.: 2.82-ounce bags of Roo Bites (Cubes) dog treats with the UPC code 63633010041
Recalled Dec. 31; possible Salmonella contamination. Read more ...





B. Roberts Foods: 16-ounce packages of Harris Teeter Fresh Foods Market Chef's Recipe Chicken and Wild Rice Soup with UPC code 6108819179 and sell by date of Jan. 31, 2015
Recalled Dec. 31; mislabeling and undeclared egg allergen. Read more ...

Zilks Foods, LLC: Eight- ounce containers of Bacon Hummus with best by dates of Jan. 6 to Feb. 9, 2015; eight-ounce containers of Balsamic & Garlic Hummus with best by dates of Jan. 5 to Feb. 9, 2015; eight-ounce containers of Hatch Green Chile Hummus with best by dates of Jan. 5 to Feb. 9, 2015; eight-ounce containers of Jalapeno & Cilantro Hummus with best by dates of Jan. 5 to Feb. 9; eight-ounce containers of Original Hummus with best by dates of Jan. 5 to Feb. 9, 2015; eight-ounce containers of Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with best by dates of Jan. 5 to Feb. 9, 2015; eight-ounce containers of Spinach & Artichoke Hummus with best by dates of Jan. 5 to Feb. 9, 2015
Recalled Jan. 2; undeclared peanut allergen. Read more ...

Recall: Apple Company Pulls Products Due to Listeria Threat

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of select lots of caramel apples produced by Merb's Candies of St. Louis, Mo.

The company has been working with the US Food and Drug Administration in its investigation of the outbreak of listeriosis, which has been associated with caramel apples. The company received notice from one of its suppliers that there may be a connection between this outbreak and the apples it supplied to Merb's Candies.

The apples may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is an organism that cancause foodborne illness in a person that eats an item contaminated with it. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea. The illness primarily affects pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill. 
 
The affected products are as follows:

• Bionic Apples sold between Sept. 8 and Nov. 25, 2014
• Double Dipped Apples sold between Sept. 8 and Nov. 25, 2014

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating illnesses associated with this recall.

Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors will be checking to make sure the recalled products are removed from sale. Consumers who purchased any pre-packaged caramel apples are advised not to eat them, but to return it to the store of purchase or dispose of it per instructions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Questions about this recall?

Consumers  who purchased this product can contact Merb's Candies at 314-832-7206 or via email at customercare.merbscandies@gmail.com Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.

To view a comprehensive list of food and feed recalls affecting Georgia, visit our Food Safety Division recall website. If this recall expands or additional details become available in the future, the website will provide the most up-to-date information. 

Recipe: Margie's Chicken Salad

Originally published in the Feb. 5, 2014, issue

 

Editor's Note: Margie Leger of Cordele, Ga., sent in this favorite recipe, which she said is always requested for church functions and family gatherings. Makes approximately 10 servings.

Ingredients:
5 cups cooked chicken
1 cup celery, chopped
2 cups mayonnaise
1.5 cups apple
2 cups pecan halves
1 cup sweet pickle relish
4 hardboiled eggs (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:
1. Chop chicken, hardboiled eggs and apples. Leave the peel on the apples.

2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

3. Spoon servings over lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with additional pecan halves if desired.

Recall: Listera Threat Prompts Caramel Apple Recall

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of select lots of caramel apples produced by Happy Apples of Washington, Mo.

The company has been working with the US Food and Drug Administration in its investigation of the outbreak of listeriosis, which has been associated with caramel apples. The company received notice from one of its suppliers that there may be a connection between this outbreak and the apples it supplied to Happy Apples' California facility.

The apples may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person that eats an item contaminated with it. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea. The illness primarily affects pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill. 
 
The affected products are as follows:

• Single pack caramel apples with best by dates between Aug. 25 and Nov. 23, 2014
• Three-pack caramel apples with best by dates between Aug. 25 and Nov. 23, 2014
• Four-pack caramel apples with best by dates between Aug. 25 and Nov. 23, 2014
• Eight-pack caramel apples with best by dates between Aug. 25 and Nov. 23, 2014

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating illnesses associated with this recall.

Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors will be checking to make sure the recalled products are removed from sale. Consumers who purchased any pre-packaged caramel apples are advised not to eat them, but to return it to the store of purchase or dispose of it per instructions from the CDC.

Questions about this recall?

Consumers  who purchased this product can contact Happy Apples at 800-527-7532 Monday through Friday or via email at customercare@happyapples.com.

To view a comprehensive list of food and feed recalls affecting Georgia, visit our Food Safety Division recall website. If this recall expands or additional details become available in the future, the website will provide the most up-to-date information. 

Recipe: Margie's Chicken Salad

Originally published in the Feb. 5, 2014, issue

 

Editor's Note: Margie Leger of Cordele, Ga., sent in this favorite recipe, which she said is always requested for church functions and family gatherings. Makes approximately 10 servings.

 

Ingredients:

5 cups cooked chicken

1 cup celery, chopped

2 cups mayonnaise

1.5 cups apples

2 cups pecan halves

1 cup sweet pickle relish

4 hardboiled eggs (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Lettuce leaves

 

Instructions:

1. Chop chicken, hardboiled eggs and apples. Leave the peel on the apples.

 

2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

 

3. Spoon servings over lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with additional pecan halves, if desired.

Consumer Q&A: An Apple a Day ...

Q: I have an odd question. Apples grow in orchards, but oranges grow in groves. What is the difference between an orchard and a grove? 

A: An orchard is an area of land devoted to the cultivation of fruit or nut trees. “Orchard” is also defined as the trees cultivated in such an area. A grove is a small wood or stand of trees lacking dense undergrowth. “Grove” is also defined as a group of trees planted and cultivated for fruit or nut production.

An orchard always has to consist of fruit or nut trees, but a grove does not. That is the big difference. Orchards are usually maintained in a grove-like manner, with all the competing underbrush removed. So an orchard can almost always be considered a grove by both definitions of the word, but a grove is not always an orchard.

You can say that oranges are grown in orchards or groves, but I suppose “orange orchard” was too clumsy to say, and grove became the norm when referring to where they are grown.

Q:  When is apple season in Georgia?

A:  The bulk of Georgia’s apple harvest is in the late summer and fall (August through December), but a few varieties ripen in early summer. 

Q: Why do Red Delicious apples I see in the supermarket look different from the ones I saw at the orchard?

A: Perhaps the apples you saw at the supermarket were grown in Washington. Both Georgia and Washington grow the same variety, but when grown in the South it looks different than it does when grown in the cool Pacific Northwest. Our Red Delicious apples are rounder than and not as elongated as those from Washington. Also, ours are not as dark red.

If you are only familiar with Washington State apples, try some of the ones grown here in Georgia. You will not be disappointed! 

GEORGIA GROWN PROFILE: Mack Aaron's Apple House

Originally published in the Nov. 13, 2013 issue

 

Third-generation farmers specialize in friendly service and fried pies

By Jenna Saxon, press office

 

Mack Aaron’s Apple House of Elijay, Ga., has quickly become one of northwest Georgia’s most popular roadside markets. Mack Aaron’s is owned and operated by third-generation apple grower Bill Aaron and his wife Gina.

 

The company’s history of apple growing expertise in Gilmer County dates back to 1944. Bill Aaron’s father, Mack Aaron, was only 4 years old when his parents, Otis Shafter Aaron and Reba Ellis Aaron, purchased a farm of more than 200 acres to begin producing apples for both commercial and retail sales. In 2008 Mack and Joyce Aaron turned over the business to their son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Gina Aaron. 

 

“We believe that each and every one of our customers is part of our apple family,” Gina Aaron said. “We look forward to them returning every year. We stand behind everything that we sell and grow and are extremely proud to be a Georgia Grown farm and business.”

 

Today Mack Aaron’s Apple House is known for its locally grown produce, friendly service and homemade fried pies. In addition to its apples, peaches and nectarines, Mack Aaron’s also offers a variety of other items including baked goods. The homemade fried pies are an Apple House staple and customers can expect to find a minimum of 11 different types of fried pies. Mack Aaron’s also offers apple cider, grapes, jams, jellies, relishes, honey, syrup, apple cakes, strudels, cookies, bread and much more. 

 

Mack Aaron’s Apple House is open seven days a week from mid-July until the end of December. It’s a proud member of Georgia Grown and the family is happy to support the program.

 

“We are one of the few farmers in Georgia that grow our own fruit right here on the farm,” Gina Aaron said. “Georgia Grown is an organization that we are proud to be a part of.”

 

The Aarons help promote the Georgia Grown program by linking their customers with other Georgia Grown members.

 

“Customers will find a very friendly atmosphere here at Mack Aaron’s Apple House,” Gina Aaron said. “If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we will help you find another Georgia Grown member that does.”  

RECIPE: Skillet Turnip Greens with Apple and Bacon

Originally published in the Oct. 16, 2013, issue

 

Ingredients:

8 bacon slices

1 pound chopped turnip greens or other greens

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

¼ cup thinly sliced Vidalia onion

1/3 cup apple juice

1.5 cups diced apple, such as Gala, Granny Smith or other cooking apple

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Instructions:

 

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Remove from pan and reserve one to two teaspoons of bacon drippings. Crumble bacon and set aside.

 

2. Sauté onion over medium-high heat. Add greens and cook until slightly wilted.

 

3. Add vinegar and apple juice. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.

 

4. Add diced apple, salt and pepper, and cook about five minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with bacon and serve warm.

Feature Recipe: Gigi's Apple Crisp

Originally published in the Oct. 2, 2013, issue

 

Editor’s Note: This recipe comes to us from Gigi Evans of Macon, Ga., and embraces one of Georgia’s most popular pick-your-own fall fruits – apples! It was recently featured on an episode of “Meals from the Field” on the Georgia Farm Monitor. Visit www.gfb.org/recipes to view the video.

Ingredients:

6 large cooking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

¼ cup water

Juice of one lemon

2 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2.5 sticks butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Combine apples, water and lemon juice in a lightly greased 8x8-inch baking dish.

3. In a bowl, combine oatmeal, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour in the butter and stir to make a crumbly mixture.

4. Spread mixture evenly over apples and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is crisp and browned.