Consumers get answers from Department of Agriculture

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/Recall: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, announces a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: Trim Assembly Kits for Recessed Light Fixtures; Units: About 12,800; Manufacturer: Progress Lighting, Inc., of Spartanburg, S.C.; Hazard: Heat from the light bulb can cause the fixture's plastic trim to soften and melt, causing the trim and lens to fall. This can result in laceration injuries to nearby consumers; Incidents/Injuries: Progress Lighting has received four reports of the trims melting. No injuries have been reported; Description: Trim assembly kits involved in this recall attach to recessed light fixtures installed primarily in bathroom ceilings. The trim assemblies include a 7 3/4-inch wide plastic ring, a glass lens and a metal reflector. Affected models were made in China and have model numbers 8009-60, 8010-60 or 8011-60. The model number and country of manufacture are located on a sticker attached to the inside and outside of the reflector. Models made in Mexico are not included in this recall; Sold by: Electrical and lighting distributors nationwide from July 2006 through December 2006 for between $9 and $27; Manufactured in: China; Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recessed light fixtures containing the recalled trim rings immediately and contact Progress Lighting to arrange for installation of a replacement trim ring; Customer contact: For more information, contact Progress Lighting toll-free at 877- 369-4548 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or log on to www.progresslighting.com.

Q: What should I look for when buying meat and seafood?

A: First, make sure that the package is not torn. Select a package that feels cold to the touch. Always make your meat, milk, and other dairy product selection last, just before you go to checkout. Then, go quickly and directly home. Refrigerate or freeze all of your meat, seafood and dairy products immediately. Each of these measures will help to preserve the freshness of food products and reduce the growth of bacteria.

Q: What causes ground beef to shrink while cooking?

A: All meat will shrink in size and weight during cooking. The amount of shrinkage will depend on its fat and moisture content, the temperature at which the meat is cooked, and how long it is cooked. Basically, the higher the cooking temperature, the more the meat will shrink. Cooking ground beef at moderate temperatures will reduce shrinkage and help retain juices and flavor. Overcooking ground beef or any meat results in more shrinkage and a dry, less flavorful product.

Q: What causes the moisture in chicken packages?

A: During processing, chicken is chilled in water to remove body heat rapidly and control bacterial growth. The moisture is natural juices and absorbed water. Drain the moisture and rinse the chicken before cooking it.

Q: How is bacteria spread from raw meat to other foods?

A: Bacteria in raw meat juices can contaminate foods that have been cooked safely or raw foods that will not be cooked, such as salad ingredients. Bacteria can also be present on equipment, hands and even in the air. To avoid cross contamination, wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after handling all raw meat, poultry and seafood to make sure you do not spread bacteria. Always use soap and hot water to wash utensils and surfaces that have come into contact with raw products or your unwashed hands. For example, if you answer your telephone while handling raw meat, poultry or seafood, the phone's receiver and everything else you touched should be washed with soap and water.

Q: How can I tell if food is safe to eat?

A: Unfortunately, it is not always possible to tell by taste, looks or odor of food if it is safe to eat. Meat, poultry and dairy products, left at room temperature (even for short periods) allows bacteria to grow to dangerous levels. Even at these levels some bacteria seldom change the taste, odor or looks of food. Any food item that requires refrigeration but has been maintained at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.

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 Drive, Atlanta 30334 or call 1-800-282-5852.