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Georgia And South Carolina: Recent Food Recalls

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced some food recalls that include items sold here in Georgia and South Carolina.  If you’ve purchased these items, you’ll want to check your…

Food Recalls in Georgia and South Carolina
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The Food and Drug Administration recently announced some food recalls that include items sold here in Georgia and South Carolina.  If you've purchased these items, you'll want to check your refrigerator and/or pantry. And also, read on as to what to do.

Fresh Express Spinach

On Friday, December 15, Fresh Express announced a voluntary recall on their 8 ounce packages of spinach.  These packages have the product code G332 with a use-by date of December 15.  This also includes Publix Spinach, the 9 ounce size.  The product code is G332, with a use-by date of December 14.

The reason for this recall is due to a potential health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. This can cause serious, sometimes fatal, infections in young children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Healthy individuals can still experience symptoms from Listeria monocytogenes.  These include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.  It can also cause miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women.

If you have any symptoms, you should consult your health care provider.

There have been no reported illnesses in relation to the recall.  It was a precaution after a routine sampling was conducted on a single, randomly selected package.

The items were sold at retailers in 7 states, including GA, SC, AL, FL, NC, TN, and VA. Read more HERE.

Quaker Granola Bars And Cereals

Also on Friday, December 15, the FDA published a recall on Quaker Granola Bars and Granola Cereals. The items were recalled due to potential of contamination with Salmonella. This can cause serious, sometimes fatal, infections in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Healthy individuals can experience symptoms from Salmonella as well.  These include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, a Salmonella infection can get into the blood stream and cause more severe issues.

The products included in this recall were sold throughout the United States.  If you have any of the items in your pantry, the company recommends you dispose of them.  Consumers can also contact Quaker Consumer Relations between 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday at 1-800-492-9322.  Additional information or product reimbursement can be found HERE.

Items included in this recall:

  • Quaker Chewy Bars in chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, dark chocolate chunk
  • Quaker Puffed Granola - Apple Cinnamon and Blueberry Vanilla Cereals

See The Full List Of Recalled Items.


Mastering Potluck Etiquette with These 5 Tips

Potlucks, which involve people bringing their preferred dishes to share at a gathering, have become a common practice, whether hosted in someone's home or at the office. Dishes range from sweet treats to savory options, with each person contributing their favorites that sometimes wow the crowd but sometimes miss the mark.

Opinions about potlucks tend to differ. Some find them enjoyable, while others may not share the same enthusiasm. People have different approaches when they are in the kitchen. Confidence in the cleanliness of a friend or relative's kitchen and their hygiene practices can contribute to a more comfortable potluck experience.

The ups and downs of a potluck.

However, a different dynamic arises when dealing with work luncheons or potlucks involving less familiar faces. Unpleasant memories may surface, such as the cringe-worthy video of a woman using the same spoon to feed her dog and stir her dish before serving it to someone. Such instances highlight the potential challenges of potluck gatherings.

While potlucks offer the promise of enjoyable times, they also present the possibility of mishaps. The diversity of dishes introduces an element of unpredictability, with certain options consistently being avoided, ranging from overcooked lasagna to underdone meat. No one wants to be responsible for ruining a potluck.

Achieving success in a potluck requires careful coordination of various elements. Regardless of if it’s a last-minute event, organizational skills are key. Implementing a sign-up sheet or getting insight into attendees' contributions ensures a structured approach, while still allowing for creativity. Categories such as appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts, and beverages can be added to inspire creativity and guarantee a well-rounded spread, avoiding the awkwardness of a lopsided menu.

Despite not being able to control every aspect, there are several ways to navigate potential potluck fails. To guide you through the potluck experience, we've compiled a list of potluck etiquette that aims to create a smooth and enjoyable gathering. Check a few below.

Stick to Your Potluck Commitment

If you commit to bringing something to the potluck, stick to your word! If you've signed up to whip up a red velvet cake, don't surprise everyone with cookies or a dip. Deviating from your agreed-upon dish can create a gap in the spread, so be consistent.

person write reminder text on the note sticker on the fridge

Михаил Руденко/ Getty Images

Be Considerate of Food Sensitivities

Sales Assistant In Bakery Putting Gluten Free Label Into Freshly Baked Savoury Roll

Consider others' food sensitivities. While it's impossible to know everyone's allergies, you can be considerate by creating a sign with the list of ingredients for your dish. This way, those with sensitivities can make informed choices. For example, if your chili is a meaty, spicy masterpiece, give a heads-up to the attendees.

Communicate Your Food Allergies & Sensitivities

Communicate your allergies or sensitivities to the host. If you have significant food sensitivities or allergies and are invited to a potluck, inform the host. Alternatively, bring your own dish. It ensures you have a safe option to enjoy at the event.

Happy young businesswoman speaking on the phone while working in a warehouse. Online store owner making plans for product shipping. Creative female entrepreneur running an e-commerce small business.

JLco - Julia Amaral/ Getty Images

Don't Skimp on the Goods

Don't skimp on contributions. If you've chosen to bring soda, make sure you bring enough of a recognizable brand for everyone. It's not cool to bring a small quantity of generic soda and then feast on other items, leaving little for everyone else.

Woman shopping in supermarket

Image Source/ Getty Images

Understand the Leftovers Deal

When you bring a dish to someone's event, whether it's an acquaintance's dinner party or a friend's potluck, consider it a gift without expecting to get the leftovers back. Once the dish is given to the host or placed for serving, it's no longer yours, including unopened items. If the host insists you take leftovers, then go ahead and enjoy them.

Foil trays for food on a white background

pioneer111/ Getty Images

CodyEditor
“Cody” Blaine Jackson is one half of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on Kicks 99, and also serves as the Digital Program Director for Beasley Media Group in Augusta. She’s a Georgia native but currently resides just across the river in South Carolina. She started in the radio industry as a part-time board operator, and moved up through various roles, including on-air positions and program director for multiple stations. Her passions include fitness and anything to do with animals, as she has two fur babies, her dogs Harley and Waylon. Cody likes to write about pets, fitness and Augusta local events.