Prepared by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Office of Public Affairs Tommy Irvin, Commissioner Call Consumer Q's Hotline at 1-800- 282-5852 (toll free).

Consumer Alert/Recall: Utah firm recalls some Lean Cuisine chicken meals. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is alerting consumers to the recall of some frozen chicken meals manufactured by Nestlé Prepared Foods Company of Springville, Utah. The company is recalling approximately 879,565 pounds of Lean Cuisine chicken meals that may contain foreign objects. The following products are being recalled:

.. 9.5-ounce packages of "LEAN CUISINE PESTO CHICKEN WITH BOW TIE PASTA" brand frozen meals. Printed on each side of each package is a production code of "8280595912" as well as a use-by date of "Best Before MAY 2010."

.. 10.5-ounce packages of "LEAN CUISINE CHICKEN MEDITERRANEAN" brand frozen meals. Printed on the side of each package is a production code of "8231595912" or "8241595912" as well as a use-by date of "Best before SEP 2010"; a production code of "8263595912," "8269595911" or "8274595912," as well as a use-by date of "Best before OCT 2010"; or, a production code of "8291595912" or "8301595912" as well as a use-by date of "Best before NOV 2010."

.. 12.5-ounce packages of "LEAN CUISINE CHICKEN TUSCAN" brand frozen meals. Printed on the side of each package is a production code of "8234595911" and a use-by date of "Best before SEP 2009"; a production code of "8253595911" or "8269595912" as well as a use-by date of "Best before OCT 2009"; or, a production code of "8292595911" or "8296595911" as well as a use-by date of "Best before NOV 2009."

Each package also bears the USDA mark of inspection as well as the establishment number "EST P-9018." The frozen chicken meals were produced on Aug. 18, Aug. 21, Aug. 28, Sept. 9, Sept. 19, Sept. 25, Sept. 30, Oct. 6, Oct. 17-18, Oct. 22 and Oct. 27 and were distributed to retail establishments nationwide. The problem was discovered after the company received consumer complaints and a report of one injury. The company identified the foreign objects as small pieces of hard plastic. USDA Food Safety Inspection Service has not received other reports of injury. Anyone concerned about an injury from consumption of the products should consult a medical professional.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Nestlé Consumer Services Center at 1-800-993- 8625.

"Our Georgia Department of Agriculture sanitarians will be checking store shelves as part of their routine inspections to make sure these products are removed," said Commissioner Irvin.

Q: How much turkey should I buy?

A: Allow 1-11/4 pound per person. This will ensure that you have leftovers for a few days.

Q: Should I buy a fresh or frozen turkey?

A: Since there is no significant difference in quality between the two, it is a personal preference. If you are an early shopper, it is recommended you buy a frozen turkey. Fresh turkey should only be purchased 1-2 days before it is to be used.

Q: How can I tell if the firewood I'm buying has been fully seasoned?

A: Most of the time it can be difficult to tell if firewood has been fully seasoned. And, even fully seasoned wood contains an amount of water equal in weight to about 15 percent of the dry weight of the wood itself. However, most consumer complaints concern firewood that is not seasoned at all rather than not seasoned enough. To check the seasoning of firewood you need to look at it. The surface of newly split or freshly cut wood will show a definite wet center, perhaps with drier borders. If the bark is difficult to separate from the wood, the odds are good that it probably is not totally dried. The best way to purchase firewood is by word of mouth. If your neighbors or friends are satisfied with the wood they purchased from a firewood dealer, your chances of getting what you want, seasoned dry wood are better than taking a chance on a dealer you don't know.

Q: How do I cook sweet potatoes?

A: Sweet potatoes can be baked, boiled, fried, broiled, canned or frozen. They can also be cooked in the microwave oven. Before cooking sweet potatoes, scrub skin and trim off any bruised or woody portions. Wash cured sweet potatoes and bake or boil until slightly soft. If boiled, drain them immediately. Thoroughly cool the baked or boiled sweet potatoes. Wrap them individually (skins left on) in freezer film or foil and place in plastic freezer bags. Then seal, label and freeze them. Most sweet potato dishes freeze well. Save time and energy by making a sweet potato dish to serve and one to store in the freezer.

If you have questions or problems with services or products regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture you may write Consumer Services, 19 Martin Luther King Drive, Room 224, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 or toll free at 1-800-282-5852.