UPDATE: National Salmonellosis Outbreak in Tomatoes
From the FDA:
Introduction
FDA has issued a warning to consumers nationwide that an outbreak of Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of Salmonella, has been linked to consumption of some raw red plum, red Roma, round red tomatoes, and products containing these raw tomatoes.
Update on the Investigation
The FDA has completed the traceback for some of the tomatoes associated with the salmonella outbreak. The agency has been able to trace the pathway of some tomatoes from the point of purchase (e.g. supermarket) or consumption (e.g. restaurant) to each point on the distribution chain down to certain farms in Mexico and Florida.
The FDA is now working to narrow the investigation. As part of this, the agency is sending teams of multi-disciplinary experts to both Mexico and Florida this weekend to conduct joint inspections of the farms and other critical points on the supply chain where the tomatoes may have become contaminated.
The FDA investigators will conduct joint inspections with regulators in Mexico and Florida at the farms and other distribution points. Meanwhile, the FDA will continue to collect samples of tomatoes and conduct traceback activities.
To further narrow the investigation, the FDA is working with the state of Texas to traceback a cluster of illnesses recently found by the state of Texas. We are hopeful that this will provide additional information to bring the agency closer to the source of the contamination.
The FDA is working jointly with Mexico and Florida and other states to update the list of areas not associated with the outbreak and will continue to post the information on the web site.
Raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes, harvested from one of the sources that FDA has identified below are NOT associated with the outbreak and are acceptable to eat. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, from all sources, and tomatoes grown at home are also not linked to the outbreak and can be eaten.
Click here for more information and for the listing of areas associated with the outbreak.
How You Should Recycle Compact Fluorescent Lights
Compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s) are a great energy and money saver. They are good for the environment and also help save you money. They do however; contain a small amount of mercury that poses a small threat if broken. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has researched and performed tests to help prevent a mercury threat to you.
Although it is best if the bulb does not break, there are simple steps that if performed correctly can eliminate the mercury threat.
If you break a compact fluorescent light
• Do not use the vacuum to clean it up, this only spreads the mercury and could
contaminate your vacuum.
• Keep people and pets away from the area where the bulb broke.
• Ventilate the area for 15 minutes by opening a window before cleaning it up and continue ventilation after the mess is picked up.
• Wear rubber gloves while picking up the mess.
• Put the broken pieces into a sealed glass jar in order to prevent the mercury from leaking out and mark the jar “Universal Waste-Broken Lamp”.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after picking up the waste.
For more information on what to do in this situation click here.
Consumer Protection Week
10th ANNUAL NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK PROMOTES FINANCIAL LITERACY AS A SOUND INVESTMENT
The 10th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), is March 2-8, 2008. NCPW highlights consumer education efforts in the fight against fraud in communities across the nation. NCPW 2008's organizers are encouraging people from coast to coast to focus on the financial facts of life. It’s a sound investment: Financially savvy consumers are likely to make smarter decisions about managing their money, using credit wisely, and building a solid financial foundation.
Consumers conduct some type of financial transaction requiring an educated decision every day: shopping for a mortgage or auto loan; understanding and reconciling credit card statements and telephone bills; choosing savings and retirement plans; comparing health insurance policies; understanding their credit report and how that affects their ability to get credit and at what cost; or simply deciding how to pay for a purchase. Education is the first line of defense for consumers to manage their money wisely and protect themselves from frauds or rip-offs.
NCPW partner organizations will provide practical – and tactical – tips so consumers can learn how to make well-informed financial decisions, avoid credit scams, and protect their personal information. Consumers can boost their financial IQ at consumer.gov/ncpw. The site features an Outreach Toolkit to help promote NCPW. Look for a sample press release, letter to the editor, poster, proclamation, webpage buttons, and banner ads to publicize NCPW and consumer protection in general. For more information, visit consumer.gov/ncpw.
Switching Your Television to Digital
What is Digital Television (DTV) ?
DTV is advancement in broadcasting technology that is going to transform your television viewing experiences. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting, and interactive capabilities.
Important Dates
Through February 17, 2009 most television programming will provide analog. After this date your television will need to be digital in order to function properly. If you have purchased your television after the date of March 1, 2007 then your television is already digital. Any television made after this date is made digital.
Converter Box Coupon Program
Each household will be able to request two coupons of $40 each for a digital-to-analog converter box. The coupons will be available between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009. For more information click here.
Cable and Satellite
Check with your cable or satellite providers to see if updates will be necessary for your televisions at home.
The answers to any other questions on transferring over to digital television can be found on by clicking here.
Alternative Minimum Tax Update
The link below will direct you to the latest information available concerning the IRS tax filing season resulting from passage of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) "patch". The upcoming tax season is expected to start on time for everyone except certain taxpayers potentially affected by late enactment of the Alternative Minimum Tax “patch . Please click on the link below for more details. As more information becomes available we will provide additional updates.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=176948,00.html
Retailers to sell TV converter boxes
Best Buy Co. Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and six other retailers will sell equipment enabling owners of analog television sets to continue to view programming after the 2009 nationwide switch to digital broadcasting, the federal government said Tuesday.
Starting Jan. 1, an estimated 13 million to 21 million households that rely on an antenna to watch TV can contact the government to receive two coupons worth $40 each to buy converter boxes.
Consumers can apply for coupons via phone at 1-888-DTV-2009 or via the government Web site — http://www.DTV2009.gov — starting Jan. 1
IRS Has $110 Million in Refund Checks
The Internal Revenue Service is looking for 115,478 taxpayers who are due refund checks worth about $110 million after the checks were returned as undeliverable. The refund checks, averaging about $953, can be claimed as soon as taxpayers update their addresses with the IRS. Some taxpayers have more than one check waiting.
For more information click here.
Latest Recall
November 5, 2007
Cargill Incorporated is recalling the beef because of a possible E. coli contamination. It was processed at the Wyalusing plant. The recalled products have a “Use By-Freeze By” date between October 19th and November 3rd and a USDA establishment number of EST 9400.
The recall is due to possible contaminated with E. coli bacteria, including beef shipped to Wegmans Food Markets in Johnson City.
No illnesses have been reported, said John Keating, president of Cargill Regional Beef.
Wegmans is the only local supermarket affected by the recall. The store has initiated a recall of fresh ground beef products with use- or freeze-by dates between Oct. 10 and Oct. 29. Wegmans has asked its customers to return the product to the store for a full refund.
November 1, 2007
Pearl-like Bead Attachment Sold with Girl's Gift Sets Recalled Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard; Sold exclusively at Limited Too Stores - Surface coating on a plastic bead decorative packaging attachment contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
For More Information on Recent Recalls
Identity theft
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. It occurs every 79 seconds and if it hasn't already affected you or someone you know, it likely soon will.
The best way to fight identity theft is awareness. By being aware of how information is stolen and what you can do to protect yours, you can make identity thieves' jobs much more difficult.
There are also several steps you can take to minimize your risk for identity theft:
1. Protect your Social Security number
2. Treat your trash and mail carefully
3. Be on guard when using the Internet
4. Select intricate passwords
5. Verify sources before sharing information
6. Safeguard your purse and wallet
7. Store information in secure locations
8. What is a credit freeze?
9. About identity theft insurance
Below are the links to provide you with information if you think your identity has been stolen:
If your information has been stolen and used by an identity thief
If your information may have been stolen, but may or may not have been used by an identity theft
Learn more about identity theft
