Canned beets recalled in 2004, what?!

[mountainmist]

I was doing a search at Google trying to find the Y2K page where expiration codes are explained.

While looking for that, I came across a webpage from the Ohio Dept. of Health, with recalls from years back that I never heard anything about.


For example, canned beets, under MANY names were recalled:

I never heard anything about this.



September 30, 2004: From the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH): Urgent - Food Recall Because of Possible Health Risk


http://www.piquaoh.org/health_hot_food.htm

Marion, NY - Seneca Foods Corporation, Marion, NY is announcing a voluntary recall of 42,085 cases of canned 15 oz sliced beets and no salt sliced beets due to the potential for the product to be underprocessed. While no illnesses have been reported, there is a possibility that the product could be contaminated with harmful microorganisms.
Sliced beet and no salt sliced beet products with these codes should not be eaten even if it does not look or smell spoiled. The company is now retrieving the product from its distribution system and store shelves.

The recall extends to several labels including Libby's, Stokely's, Always Save, America's Choice, American Value, D&W, Dominick's, Flavorite, Food Club, Foodland, Friday, Goya, Green Valley, Harris-Teeter, Hill Country Fare, Kroger, Ligo, Parade, Piggly Wiggly, Promos, Publix, Wylwood, Shop N Save, Shurfine, Southern Home, Sysco Classic, Thrifty Maid, US Blue.

The cans are marked with a two line format. Any combination of these codes are being recalled.*

The list below is formatted as TOP......


http://www.piquaoh.org/health_hot_food.htm

[mountainmist]

Okay, I think I found a good site that covers all the various recalls, it claims to be a non-profit public service.

http://www.recalls.org/



Here is their FOOD recalls

http://www.recalls.org/food.html

[JanH]

that's a good idea to keep track of recalls. We never hear of anything unless it is on the news.

[mountainmist]

I was hoping to find a list of instructions of how to read the funny expiration dates on generic foods which do not have actual plain DATES on them.

I'm thinking of never purchasing any more brands which do not have readable dates prominently displayed.

In my search for information about expiration dates, I've run across postings by people stating they find so much expired food on their local grocery shelves because the stockers only rarely put the new stock in the back.

Well.... if I cannot easily read the expiration date, on the inexpensive generic fruits & veggies.... how am I to determine if maybe some of these items are seriously post their prime??

And I'm pretty irritated that I've heard nothing about many recalls, absolutely nothing.

Also learned at gardenweb that the reason that jarred garlic has such a very short expiration date period is that jarred garlic eventually turns to formaldehyde - something else I'd never ever heard of.