2012 New Ca. Laws

With a new year come new laws for the road, and the California Highway Patrol is trying to make sure drivers know about the new rules.

The new laws - passed by the Legislature this year - will affect child safety seats, unlicensed drivers, electric vehicles, and the penalties for driving under the influence.

The California Highway Patrol offers free child-safety seat instruction.

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER FILE PHOTO

"Our hope is by educating the public of these new traffic safety laws in advance, more lives will be saved in the New Year, said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow in a written statement.

CHILD CAR SEATS

For drivers with young children, the requirements for children to ride in a car seat or booster seat have changed.

Beginning Sunday, children who are younger than 8 years old, and shorter than 4 feet, 9 inches, will be required to ride in the back seat with a car seat or booster seat.

If the child is older than 1 year old and weighs more than 20 pounds, the child can ride in the front seat if there is no rear seat, or all back seats are occupied by children under 8 years old.

"However, the law still maintains that a child may not ride in the front seat with an active passenger airbag if they are under one year of age, less than 20 pounds, or riding in a rear-facing child seat," read a statement on the new laws from the CHP.

CAR IMPOUNDS, DUI CONVICTIONS

The new year will also mark a change to sobriety checkpoints, where officers will no longer be allowed to tow a car when the only offense is that the driver did not have a driver's license.

"The new law requires that the officer make a reasonable attempt to identify the registered owner in order to release the vehicle," the statement read.

Drivers who have been repeatedly convicted of driving under the influence might also face harsher penalties.

Courts may now revoke the license of a driver convicted of three DUIs for up to 10 years. After five years the driver could request a limited license, but it would require them to install an Ignition Interlock Device in the vehicle.

Other laws that go into effect Sunday morning:

• Anyone convicted of reckless driving can apply for a limited driver's license before the end of their year-long suspension, but will required to use an Ignition Interlock Device in their car.

• Electric vehicles must be plugged in for refueling if they are using an EV-designated parking space. If not, they may be towed.

• Local governments can now regulate advertising signs on vehicles that are left parked on a public street, unless the sign is painted directly and permanently on the vehicle and does not extend beyond the vehicle's length, width, or height.

Mexico RVing

The Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping

RV's Can Explore Mexico Safely

RV'ing In Mexico Is A Great Experience - But Is It Safe?

RV safety in Mexico versus RV thefts in Canada and the USA. OK, let's be honest.

By November 2011, there have been no verified reports of RV's encountering trouble on Mexican highways. What RV'ers should remember is that - if there are any reports of trouble - they will be far more likely to be attempted carjackings for in-demand vehicles.

2011 started off with a sad story of the shooting death of a missionary woman. She and her missionary husband were driving a big, tricked-out $50,000 Chevy pickup (a prime candidate for theft) back to McAllen from their part-time home in San Fernando, Tamaulipas. That was an awful tragedy yes, but I had driven through San Fernando a few weeks prior in a 2006 Ford Escape with no problems. I send RV'ers past there with no problems. I have driven past through San Fernando since. You bypass the town, there is no reason to stop and visit (although I did that so I could honestly report on it). The place has bad Karma with a capital K.

So, when you read the news, please try to get the whole story, not just the sensational generalizations. Those missionaries lived in San Fernando part-time and had made enemies of the cartels there. They were good people. In later interviews, the husband admitted that they had been warned to get out of town and people had tried to steal their truck before. So their profile is unlikely to resemble yours. Go to one of the RV discussion boards to listen to others who have driven in Mexico recently. Those are your peers, not missionaries.

As an aside, I no longer recommend driving though Tampico to get anywhere. There is an alternative route in my maps / road logs or personal consultations section. You still pass by San Fernando, but avoid the likelihood of getting shaken down by bad transito cops in Altamira for a bribe.

In 2010, I personally knew of 3 verified incidents in Mexico involving RV's. One was a car/RV-jacking on the road between Cd. Victoria and Nuevo Padilla. One of the drivers of the car/RV-jacking wrote me to correct the location of the incident, which just goes to show that stories get changed in the telling. It also shows that even I make mistakes and appreciate corrections. He eventually got his RV back and has no hard feelings towards Mexico. In fact, he still goes.

BTW, while you may have to drive past that area, I stopped recommending stopping in that area a few years ago. My feeling is that the fishing lodges nearby are cartel vacation spots. The area just felt like bad karma to me when I was there last a few years ago. But in the past two years there have been no incidents in that area. That is rather typical - except for some trouble spots, you cannot point to one area and say it is unsafe. Unsafe when? Today? Tomorrow? Unsafe how? I know hundreds of people who have driven that route in the past few years with no incidents. I have done so myself five times in the past three years.

One was an attempted break-in and car theft (Mazatlan). The object there was the theft of the couple's Cadillac SUV. I talked to a lady who actually met the folks involved. The would-be thieves were not cartel guys, just hoodlums. It did not happen on the highway, but in an RV park. Folks there are bad people everywhere. BTW, the lady who told me the story was on her way to Mexico when she met the gentleman from the Mazatlan incident. It did not deter her from coming down.

The third was a theft of an RV.

How many RV's were broken into, stolen or otherwise bothered in the USA in that time? I guarantee you it was more than 3. Let's say that I only hear of half the things. Let's say there were 6 incidents. I still say you are safe in Mexico.

But I do not guarantee you are any safer than you are in the USA - or Canada. Why do we think we are so immune from reality when we travel? Stuff happens everywhere. Don't condemn an entire country or cancel a trip because of some isolated incidents or rumors.

There is a newish bulletin board for RV'ers that I really like. The discussions are lively and often the contributors know what they are talking about. But, just like any board (including the one I keep planning on creating for this site), there are some negative Nellies who spread disinformation. After reading my breathless prose, take a gander at this RV forum.

RVhotlineCanada.com said this: The RCMP in BC has created a new section to combat what it calls an epidemic of RV, campers, boat, snowmobile, and all-terrain vehicle thefts.

Uh, are you afraid to drive your RV to Canada? I doubt it.

Oh dear! Don't go to Pennsylvania either: See story.

Oh Gosh! In Myrtle Beach. SC, there is another epidemic: See story.

A string of RV and camper break-ins in Horry County, S.C., has topped 100 incidents and left thousands of dollars in damage in its wake. Now, some businesses in Horry County fear the crimes are too much for local law enforcement to handle, according to WMBF-TV, Myrtle Beach.

RVing or 5th-wheeling in Mexico is a wonderful experience. With diesel and gas prices often below US prices, RVing in Mexico can be a bargain. But an RV or trailer trip to Mexico is not just about saving money. RV Mexico and you will get to meet the real Mexican people who are as friendly and warm as any in the world. Sure, you will see some spectacular sites, but the people are the greatest part of your trip. This page is a short introduction to driving your RV or trailer in Mexico.

RV camping in in Mexico is safe and driving on the toll roads is easy. Thousands of people drive RV's (motorhomes and trailers) to Mexico every year and it is a far more pleasant place to spend the winter than staring out at snow in the USA or Canada. There are enough RV parks in Mexico for both temporary and permanent RV parking. The Pacific coast and Baja have the most RV parks. The Gulf Coast has just enough RV parks. Yucatan RV parks are dwindling, due to high real estate prices, but you will get by. Boondocking can be safe, if you park near a restaurant or house. You must have Mexican insurance for your RV. For Mexico insurance, click "Car, RV insurance" above.

You will find several different products relating to driving your RV in Mexico (maps, road logs, travelogues or roadlogs) with RV parks and specific RV routes on my shopping cart, as well as a description of my trip-planning services to help you get the most out of an RV driving trip to Mexico.

RV-related Updates

The Hotel Valles in Cd. Valles no longer has an RV Park, though El Bañito, south of town still has a few spaces. Get The Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping for up-to-date listings. RV'ers can now get a 10-year driving permit. My map has recommendations for good RV routes through Northeastern Mexico.

For up-to-date information on dealing with less-than-straightforward permit issues related to RV's see the Church's site.

There are new RV parks in Michoacan and Jalisco.

The Mocambo in Veracruz does not accept RV's, but there is a great one in Anton Lizardo.

Drive The Mexican Toll Roads, But ...

Driving through Mexico by using the Mexican toll roads is your safest bet, BUT it will cost you (a fairly realistic average is one peso per kilometer). Toll roads are privately owned, so the rate you will be charged for driving an RV on a Mexican toll road will vary. At some, you are charged by the number of wheels on the ground, not by the number of axles as the signs at the Mexican toll booths suggest. At others, you pay according to axles. In general, your rate is 50% more than for a car.

Driving Mexico is an adventure, but not as much as you think. Mexican toll roads are safe, fast and similar to first-class highways anywhere in the world. Driving your RV in Mexico doesn't require any more skills than driving your RV in the United States or Canada, other than using common sense.

Bring extra long extension cords to hook up to outlets in RV parks in Mexico.

Most Mexican RV parks have 110 volt plugs, but every once in awhile, you'll be shocked to find that innocent outlet is putting out 220. Have a disposable electric appliance to plug in first to check out the plug.

Voltage in Mexican RV parks fluctuates greatly. A surge protector is mandatory and a voltage regulator is a darn good idea.

Mexican diesel fuel used to be a lot dirtier than US diesel fuel. Mexican diesel is much better now than it was ten years ago, and sometimes it is even the low sulfur diesel. However, I would still carry several fuel filters and drain water from your catch valve every morning.

Please use the toll roads. Yes, they are expensive, but the damage to your vehicle on regular highways from topes, chuckholes and potential accidents is costlier. The toll road signs say that you are charged by the axle. It depends. Often, you are charged for each tire. Thus, if you have two tires per axle, you MAY get charged a higher rate. You should not be charged for the tow vehicle, but probably will be. See note above.

Mike and Terri Church's book, Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping, is a darn good book. I have been recommending their book The Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping since it first came out and they keep improving it. It is well-researched and they are meticulous about updating it (although i think they are on a three-year schedule). Every time I give a seminar about traveling in Mexico, all I have to do is mention it and dozens of people will show their copies. That's the best form of advertising there is. They sell their book via Amazon, as do I, so you might as well buy it here. Either way, we both make a few bucks.

Mexicali Robbery by Machetes

MEXICALI, Mex. - A group of people armed with machetes robbed a store in Mexicali yesterday afternoon.

Three men and one woman entered a meat market called "El Torito" demanding money from the cashiers.

Witnesses say the suspects fled the scene after a customer confronted the suspects.

The suspects fled in an Astro van but minutes later municipal police found and arrested the suspects nearby because the van had a flat tire.

Yuma Credit Card Skimming

YUMA, Ariz. - A local teenager is in trouble with the law after allegedly skimming credit cards.
After serving a search warrant in the 1100 block of Tamarack Avenue, Yuma County Sheriff's Office arrested Matt Sykora in connection to organized crime.
The 18-year-old is accused of copying the magnetic strips on credit cards while working in a local business.
An investigation revealed that five people had been victimized. But after the warrant was search, officials identified 22 additional victims.
Sykora was booked into Yuma County Jail.
He faces four counts of forgery of a credit card, four counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and, four counts of fraudulent schemes.
Additional charges are pending.
Sykora had his initial appearance in court today. He is in custody on more than $115,000 cash only bond. The teenager will be back in court next week.

Mexicali Attack

MEXICALI, Calif. - A group of gunmen open fire at the residence of a mayor's family member in the desert southwest.

Mexican authorities say the armed men threw molotov cocktails, shot and lit a car on fire at the home belonging to the brother of San Luis Rio Colorado's mayor.

Mexican authorities say the shooting happened around 2am Tuesday.

Police say the aggressors left a message at the house demanding a refund of more than $200,000 for the construction of an alleged drug tunnel.

Authorities say no arrests have been made yet and say the house is being watched by members of Mexican military and municipal police.

San Luis Rio Colorado's mayor, Manuel Baldenebro Arredondo, said during a press conference that his brother is not involved in any organized crimes.

Arredondo was under fire a few months ago for offering city residents a discount on their water bill for every stray dog they take to the pound.

Taxes on Social Security

English: Q. I'm new to Social Security or just not sure, and have been told that I may have to pay federal tax on my benefits. Is that true?

A. It's true. About a third of people who collect Social Security have to pay federal income taxes on their benefits. You'll be liable for those taxes if you file as an individual and your annual income is more than $25,000, or if you file a joint return with your spouse and your total annual income is more than $32,000.

Spanish: P: Soy nuevo en la Seguridad Social y ha dicho que voy a tener que pagar impuestos federales sobre mis beneficios. ¿Es eso cierto?

R. Es cierto s. Alrededor de un tercio de las personas que recogen la Seguridad Social tienen que pagar impuestos federales sobre sus beneficios. Usted será responsable de los impuestos si usted presenta como un individuo y su ingreso anual es más de $ 25,000, o si usted presenta una declaración conjunta con su cónyuge y su ingreso anual total es de más de $ 32,000.

Build A Bear Recall

Build-A-Bear Workshop announced a voluntary recall of its Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears due to a potential choking hazard to children.In a news release, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the teddy bear’s eyes could loosen and fall out.The Colorful Hearts Teddy is a stuffed animal about 16 inches high with black plastic eyes. The bear’s fabric covering is printed with multi-colored heart shapes.More than 284,000 of the bears were sold in the United States and 13,200 in Canada.The company said no injuries have been reported, but that consumers should immediately take the recalled teddy bear away from children and return it to any Build-A-Bear store to receive a coupon for any available stuffed animal.Consumers wanting additional information can contact the company at 866-236-5683, or visit the Build-A-Bear website.

Mexicali Victem Safe

MEXICALI, Ariz. - A Mexicali woman kidnapped almost a month ago has been released by her abductors. Mexican authorities helped the woman's family negotiate a ransom for her release. She was abducted by two males in broad daylight late last month in front of her work place. They are believed to be involved with organized crime. Mexicali investigators are not releasing a lot of information but they did say the kidnappers were initially asking for $3 million for the woman's release. They negotiated to pay only about $100,000. Police did not say where the trade took place but it happened yesterday evening. They say the woman is receiving psychological help before giving her testimony to police.

Los Algodones Drug Bust

12/25/11

Winterhaven, CA -- A suspect trying to smuggle drugs across the U.S. Mexico border with a homemade sand rail has been arrested by Mexican police along the Winterhaven/Algodones border.

Authorities identify the suspect as 25 year old Jose Lorenzo Gonzalez.

Los Algodones Municipal Police say they found the suspect with 5 big packages of marijuana around 8 Sunday evening near Rancho Valdez.

Municipal police say the suspect had more than 100 lbs of pot on him.

Authorities say the suspect refused to say where he was from or who he was working for.

The suspect along with the drugs have been turned over to Mexican Federal Authorities.

Ca. Independent Law SB459

A new California law, SB 459, goes into effect on Jan. 1, and is probably the most significant piece of new employment-related legislation for California employers this year.

The "willful" misclassification of independent contractors will become in and of itself an unlawful act that will subject an employer to fines of $5,000 to $25,000 for each violation as well as other significant disciplinary action. These new penalties are in addition to any back taxes or other liabilities resulting from the misclassification.

There has always been risks for an employer who misclassified a worker as an independent contractor which include back taxes, penalties, interest, unpaid personal incomes taxes of the misclassified worker, overtime, benefits, leave entitlement, and other rights and protections due to employees.

Back taxes, penalties and interest alone can amount to as much as 70% of what was paid to the misclassified worker and an audit can go back 3, sometimes 4 years.

The process of determining independent contractor status has never been an easy one. Different federal and state agencies use their own tests and criteria for making these determinations. While how much control the employer exercises over the work performed is a determining factor in all situations, the real-life situations in which employers find themselves are often muddy at best.

Effective Jan. 1, employers are prohibited from the "willful misclassification" of independent contractors which the law defines as "avoiding employee status for an individual by voluntarily and knowingly misclassifying" the person.

Given the complexity of the analysis required to make an accurate determination, and given how case-specific these determinations must be, we find this new definition to be disappointingly unclear. Our concern is that an employer who makes a good faith determination of independent contractor status might still be found to have engaged in a willful misclassification if they get it wrong.

Employers are further prohibited from making any deductions from the compensation of independent contractors that would have violated the law if the worker had been correctly classified as an employee. Such illegal deductions would include the costs of goods, materials, space rental, services, licenses, repairs, equipment maintenance, fines, etc.

In addition to the new, severe penalties for employers, companies and individuals (other than the employer's own internal staff or legal counsel) who help advise clients on such misclassifications can now be found jointly and severally liable under the law. Employers who are licensed contractors who commit willful misclassification will now also be reported to the Contractors' License Board which will in turn be required to take action against the licensee.

And perhaps the most surprising disciplinary action imposed by this law is that employers found to have engaged in a willful misclassification will be required to post on their Internet site (or in another area accessible to all employees and the general public) for a period of one year a notice that includes the following:

that the person or employer has committed a serious violation of the law by engaging in the willful misclassification of employees;
that the person or employer has changed its business practices in order to avoid committing further violations;
that any employee who believes to have been misclassified may contact the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (along with the LWD's complete contact information);
that the notice is being posted pursuant to a state order;the signature of an officer of the company.

The concern over misclassified independent contractors is not specific to California. The U.S. Department of Labor announced that in their 2011 budget, an additional $25 million was being set aside for an initiative to target misclassification of independent contractors. Part of that money was to be used for hiring approximately 100 additional enforcement personnel and "competitive grants" to boost states' incentives and capacity to address this problem.

The Obama administration announced that they expect this initiative to generate over $7 billion in federal tax revenue over the next 10 years.

Ironically, at the same time that California is implementing increased punishment for employers who misclassify independent contractors, the federal government has introduced an amnesty program to help employers resolve past misclassification issues and reduce the past federal payroll taxes due.

What should employers do?

• Make sure you are aware of the independent contractors that your company is using.
• Perform a review of each independent contractor to make sure the person would meet the legal criteria.
• Do not assume that someone is an independent contractor just because you are told that he/she has their own business, has a website, has their own corporation, etc. While these are factors that can help show true independent contractor status, the totality of the situation and what the person is actually doing for your company must be taken into consideration.
• If any current contractors do not meet the requirements or are questionable, convert them to employee status. Consider fixing the problem retroactively to reduce your total liability.
• For independent contractors who would legitimately pass the tests, make sure you have a well- drafted written agreement in place as well as documentation that would help you prove that your classification was legitimate (a copy of the contractor's business license, proof of business insurance, copies of all 1099 forms filed, etc.)

Border News 2011

Drug seizures rose while apprehensions of undocumented immigrants fell during the 2011 fiscal year along the U.S.-Mexico border, including in the San Diego area.

New figures from U.S. Customs and Border Protection also show that San Diego and Imperial counties accounted for nearly 70 percent of all methamphetamine confiscated at ports of entry nationwide in the same period, which ended Sept. 30. For narcotics overall, the agency seized more than 158 tons along the two-county portion of the international border.

“It’s a concern to me in that the volume of hard, dangerous narcotics that are coming to us is increasing. It is also a validation of our targeting efforts,” said Chris Maston, director of field operations in San Diego for Customs and Border Protection. His office oversees five land ports, as well as sea and air routes in the area. “The cartels are stepping up their efforts to move this product in large quantities, and we are getting better, much better, at managing intelligence, using it, making sense of it and converting that intelligence into viable targeting practices,” he added.

The U.S. government has bolstered security along the U.S.-Mexico border in the past decade. The number of Border Patrol agents has nearly tripled in that time, the National Guard has deployed to the area twice in recent years — including a current assignment that has lasted 18 months — and special task forces have been formed.

Customs and Border Protection receives the largest share — 20 percent — of the Department of Homeland Security’s budget. That amounted to more than $11 billion in the 2011 fiscal year.

The increased staffing and resources may have played a role in deterring border-crossers, along with a weak economy that makes the United States less attractive to job-seekers. In the last fiscal year, the Border Patrol apprehended 42,447 people between ports of entry in the San Diego sector.

(Meanwhile, the Office of Field Operations, also part of Customs and Border Protection, caught 37,277 people at ports entry along the California-Mexico border.)

“This very large investment in border security has certainly had a big impact on the ability of people to enter the country illegally, and it has put a dent in the flow of narcotics, but it hasn’t solved the problems and we need to consider other approaches,” said Paul Ganster, director of the Institute

for Regional Studies at San Diego State University. “As long as we have a very large number of Americans providing enormous demand for illegal drugs and as long as we have people in the U.S. willing to employ undocumented workers, we are going to have these problems.”

Customs and Border Protection has encountered a growing number of tunnels and ultralight aircraft in the border zone; boats and smaller watercraft on the open seas; and concealed drugs in the drive shafts, intake manifolds and other parts of vehicles. This is all evidence that smugglers have had to change their game, border experts said.

“That tells me that we are making it harder for them, they have to adjust and change their tactics, so I consider that a successful measure,” Maston said.

Still, there are skeptics of the reported success.

“A secure border is reflected by a border where violence has stopped, cartels are not getting through and smuggled illegals are no longer destroying swaths of border lands,” said Janice Kephart, director of national security policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates limited immigration.

Shark Fin Holiday Soup

SAN YSIDRO — Agriculture specialists with U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized nearly 29 pounds of shark fins that were being illegally brought into the country at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, federal officials said Thursday.

A woman going through the pedestrian border crossing about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday was asked to place her bags through an X-ray machine. The fins were found inside.

The woman, a 54-year-old Mexican citizen, was cited for violating the Lacey Act, a federal fish and wildlife trafficking law.

The woman’s visa was canceled and she was returned to Mexico.

Christmas Tequila's

(not all brands shown)

#1 - Alquiia Extra Anejo
#2 - Agave 99 Tequila Silver
#3 - Don Pilar Tequila Añejo
#4 - Dulce Vida Tequila Añejo
#5 - Don Julio Tequila Reposado
#6 - Republic Tequila Reposado
#7 - 3 Amigos Tequila Blanco
#8 - Marquez de Valencia Tequila Reposado
#9 - Los Azulejos Tequila Reposado
#10 - 1921 Tequila Cream
#11 - Azuñia Tequila Platinum Blanco
#12 - Gran Dovejo Tequila Reposado

Liquid & Dry Measure Conversion

Liquid Measure
1 c. 8 oz. 1/2 pt. 237 ml. 2 c. 16 oz. 1 pt. 474 ml.
4 c. 32 oz. 1 qt. 946 ml. 2 pt. 32 oz. 1 qt. 0.946 L.
4 qt. 128 oz. 1 gal. 3.784 L.
Dry Measure
3 t. 1 T. 1/2 oz. 14.3 g.
2 T. 1/8 c. 1 fl. oz. 28.3 g.
4 T. 1/4 c. 2 fl. oz. 56.7 g.
5 1/3 T. 1/3 c. 2.6 fl. 75.6 g.
8 T. 1/2 c. 4 oz. 113.4 g. 1 stick butter
12 T. 3/4 c. 6 oz. 0.375 lb. 170 g.
32 T. 2 c. 16 oz. 1 lb. 453.6 g.
64 T. 4 c. 32 oz. 2 lb. 907 g.
Temperature Conversion Chart

How cold does water have to be to freeze? What about to boil? If you’re looking for information on temperature, this quick and easy Conversion Chart can help.
Temperature Conversion
Fahrenheit Celsius
32̊ F Water Freezes 0̊ C
50̊ F 10̊ C 90̊ F 32.2̊ C
100̊ F 37.8̊ C 110̊ F 43.3̊ C
120̊ F 48.9̊ C 130̊ F 54.4̊ C
140̊ F 60̊ C 150̊ F 65.6̊ C
160̊ F 71.1̊ C 170̊ F 76.7̊ C
180̊ F 82.2̊ C 190̊ F 87.8̊ C
200̊ F 93.3̊ C 212̊ F Water Boils 100̊ C
250̊ F 121̊ C 300̊ F 149̊ C
350̊ F 177̊ C 400̊ F 205̊ C
450̊ F 233̊ C 500̊ F 260̊ C
Traditional Weights & Measures Conversion Chart

How many ounces of juice are in a lemon? Does a wine glass really only hold 1/4 cup? Find these answers and more with our Traditional Weights and Measures Conversion Chart.
Traditional Weights & Measures Conversion
Traditional Standard
1 teacup a scant ¾ cup
1 wineglass ¼ cup
1 jigger 1.5 fluid ounces
1 gill ½ cup
1 coffee cup a scant cup
1 tumbler 1 cup
1 pint 2 cups
1 quart 4 cups
1 peck dry: 2 gal. / liquid: 8 qt.
1 pinch or dash less than 1/8 t.
½ pinch amt. pinched btwn thumb, 1 finger
1 salt spoon ¼ teaspoon
1 kitchen spoon 1 teaspoon
1 dessert spoon 2 teaspoons / 1 soup spoon
1 spoonful 1 tablespoon
1 saucer 1 heaping cup
1 egg white 1 ounces 1 lemon 1 ¼ ounces lemon juice

San Luis Rio Colorado Deaths

Mid December 2011

SAN LUIS, Mex.- Two men were gun down over the weekend at a farm near the U.S.-Mexican border.

Mexican authorities say two men were shot numerous times just before midnight last night.

They identified one of the bodies as Julio Garibay Osuna, owner of the farm. He is believed to be the nephew of an infamous incarcerated drug trafficker.

Police did not release the name of the second body but they believe he was a worker at the farm.

Mexican authorities say the case remains under investigation. They could not confirm is the murders were drug related.

UPDATE: Mexican authorities have identified the second body as 43-year-old Jorge Cano Valenzuela.

Police says the case remains under investigation but they have no leads.

Guest Worker Scams

Story by Stephanie Sanchez, Reporter

Yuma, AZ--Mexicans seeking agricultural jobs in the Desert Southwest and throughout the U.S. under a government guest worker program are increasingly becoming victims of fraud.

A U.S. guest worker program that offers food, housing and transportation expenses as well as a steady job sounds like a jackpot to many Mexican citizens who have trouble seeking employment.

This makes many Mexican citizens vulnerable to abuse, as scammers reap in the profits.

"People of course are so desperate they will sell or pawn their furniture, tractors and anything they may have and pay these fees," Janine Duron, executive director of Independent Agricultural Workers Center in San Luis Rio Colorado said.

According to the non-profit center scammers are posing as recruiters from a federal government's H-2A program and charging workers hundreds of dollars to obtain a worker's visa.

"People are so desperate to be able to come to this country to work and work legally because the promises of course is to have an H2 visa to work under," Duron said.

Duron said unsuspecting applicants are placed in economic hardship and left with nothing but broken promises of a job prospect.

She said scammers could extract up to a thousand dollars from workers.

"The abuse comes in the form of promises for work and/or to get on a waiting list for work in exchange for money for sex, liquor, drugs and a myriad of things," Duron said.

She said the abuse not only affects the dignity of these aspiring workers but could also affect U.S. agriculture.

"They (Farmers) need to get these crops out in order to keep our food price and quality...keep prices low and quality high," Duron said. "They need to have a stable available workforce."

She said the number one thing to look out for is that a recruiter will never ask for money in exchange for a visa or job promise.

For more information, the Independent Agricultural Workers Center is located in San Luis Rio Colorado on 21st Street and Kino avenue.

Holiday Border Users

Delays at border crossings into Mexico are on the rise as immigrants rush to get back to their homes for the holidays.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection pedestrian and vehicle lines are forming at the San Luis port of entry and other border crossings.

CBP says lines into Mexico typically form this time of year as immigrants try to get back to their hometowns to visit family. Traffic from Mexico into the U.S. is also heavier because more people are visiting friends or relatives or coming into the U.S. on shopping trips.

CBP officials say border users can help keep the lines moving by declaring items and making sure they're carrying their passports.

Children Drug Traffickers

San Luis, Arizona December 5, 2011 - It's a dangerous situation: children being recruited as drug traffickers.

"Here at the San Luis Port of Entry, we've actually encountered an increase of juveniles attempting to bring narcotics taped to their body."

Teresa Small with U.S. Customs and Border Protection says they apprehend many teenage drug traffickers.

"Most of the ones we encountered do it for the fast money," says Small, a Supervisor with CPB. "Some are coerced in doing this type of activity and some are just doing it for fun. So we do encounter all of those different ways or processes of why somebody will get involved in something like that."

Amanda Aguirre with Regional Center for Border Health in Somerton says kids involved with drug trafficking don't think of the consequences.

"Some kids are being told that they're not going to be arrested as adults so that it's going to be a minor incident," says Aguirre, the CEO/President of RCBH. "It is a serious criminal event that they are engaging in. And they need to know this is violating the laws."

Many of the youth trafficking drugs have families on both sides of the border so they don't have any language or cultural barriers.

"For many who cross daily are what we consider commuter crossers," says Small. "They just consider it going to neighbor's house, but when, in fact, they're actually crossing the border to another foreign country."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection partners with U.S. Border Patrol to educate youth about the dangers of drug trafficking.

"We're gone and conducted outreach with local high schools and elementary schools so that they know that they maybe approached by drug trafficking organizations," says Small.

Aguirre says although parents maybe busy with work, they should also be aware of what their kids are doing. Aguirre suggests parents get to know their kids' friends and their parents.

"They might not be looking who they're hanging around with or how late they're coming from school or staying around the school at night," says Aguirre. "Or maybe going across the border with some friends with not knowing what they're doing across the border."

Holiday Scam Alert

Scam Alert

Holiday Hoaxes

5 gifts you don't want

by: Sid Kirchheimer | from: AARP Bulletin | December 1, 2011

For you, it's the season of giving. For scammers, it's the ideal time for taking. Here's how you can protect your money and identity:

Shopping shenanigans. Searching online for popular gifts can lead you to scammer-run websites. Click on a fake company listing from your search results and you may unleash identity-stealing computer "malware."

See also: Free ID theft protection.

Don't let scammers get your money or personal information while doing your holiday shopping. —

Copycat websites simulating legit retailers also proliferate this time of year to collect credit card numbers or sell cheap counterfeit goods.

Defense: Never click on a link before you carefully read its address. Beware of unfamiliar firms or missing letters, misspellings or other tweaks of a legitimate company's name — tiffanyco.mn instead of tiffany.com, for instance. When paying for an item online, provide credit card numbers only if a page's address begins with "https," not "http" — the "s" stands for security.

Gift card grift. Taking gift cards from display racks, thieves copy or use portable scanners that can read the codes under the scratch-off strips. Then they replace the cards and check toll-free numbers later to see if the cards were activated and for how much. Before your niece can spend the card you gave her, they beat her to it, using the card's number for purchases.

Defense: Purchase gift cards from a store's customer service counter or website, rather than the less secure display racks.

Greeting card gotchas. These scams begin with an email claiming someone has sent you an e-greeting. Click on the provided link or attachment and you could get malware.

Defense: Delete, without opening, any email purporting to announce a greeting from an unnamed "friend," "admirer" or even "webmaster." Legitimate notifications include a confirmation code you can use to view the card by going to the card company's website.

Deceptive deliveries. You may get email claiming that a courier service or the U.S. Postal Service has a package for you; don't click on those links promising "details." Or you may get a postcard about an "undeliverable" package. If you call the number it provides, you may be tricked into making an expensive overseas call, with the scammer getting part of what you pay.

Defense: When in doubt, contact the courier or postal service by locating its phone number yourself.

Charity cons. Holiday season is prime time for fake funds for police, firefighters, needy children or veterans.

Defense: Ignore email solicitations and be wary of fundraising phone calls — never provide a credit card number to someone who calls you. Ask for printed material. And before donating, always check out a charity's legitimacy with a phone call or online search.

Also of interest: Ways to shop safely online. >>

Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life, published by AARP Books/Sterling.

Winterhaven Hit and run

Winterhaven, CA Dec 3 - An elderly woman was hit by a vehicle in Winterhaven and the suspect is still on the loose.
The incident happened at 4:30 p.m. pacific time and is being handled by the California Highway Patrol. According to CHP the hit and run occurred on Levy road south of interstate 8 directly in front of Rivers Edge RV Park.
A witness tells officers the 61-year-old woman, whose name is not being disclosed at this time, was walking her dog across Levy road when a vehicle hit her head on and then backed up and took off.
According to the witness the vehicle may have been a full size tan pickup truck. CHP tells us the victims is a resident at the RV park and after being struck her dog took off back to the trailer park and alerted the daughter.
CHP says the victim was left unconscious in the road and remained unconscious throughout being transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center. She faces major injuries including a hip displacement and may be flow to a Phoenix hospital.
Officers were still on scene at of 10 p.m. Saturday and the accident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call CHP.

Short-haul truckers work the border

Written by Sandra Dibble signonsandiego.com

On a good day, Ruben Betancourt might spend two hours behind the wheel of a heavy-duty diesel truck hauling a cargo container from Tijuana to San Diego. Then he gets in line again, spending an hour to return to Mexico.

If he’s lucky, he’ll be able to turn around and repeat that cycle two more times — for a total of nine hours spent inching back and forth across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Betancourt is part of an army of Mexican short-distance truckers with iron endurance for long lines at the international border. They are sometimes known as drayage operators or burreros, Spanish for mule drivers. They haul goods between the two countries within a narrow geographic zone.

“It’s very tedious and very stressful,” said Betancourt, 43, a Mexico City native who has been a burrero for 12 years. “We just have to learn to relax.”

Supporters of the North American Free Trade Agreement say the burreros represent a costly and unnecessary step that hopefully will become obsolete one day. They dream of a time when trucks carrying cargo from anywhere in Mexico will be allowed to make deliveries anywhere in the United States, then return loaded with goods for Mexico.

But nearly 18 years after NAFTA was launched, this has yet to happen. Mexican trucking companies are largely barred from all but a small U.S. commercial zone — about 25 miles from border ports of entry. Last month, the Obama administration launched a pilot program that allows approved Mexican trucks to travel across the United States, but only one company has been cleared to participate.

In the meantime, thousands of burreros continue to play a central role in moving goods between the U.S. and Mexico, its third-largest trade partner.

“There’s a niche for them,” said Jaime González Luna, a logistics specialist and president of the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation.

Owners of trucking companies operating between Tijuana and San Diego said they’re not worried about being phased out by NAFTA. They’re most concerned about the California Air Resources Board’s new emission standards for diesel trucks and buses, which will be phased in starting Jan. 1. Vehicles that don’t meet those rules will need to be replaced or outfitted with costly filters.

Crossings slower

On a recent weekday, dozens of northbound trucks could be seen lining up in Tijuana outside the Otay Mesa commercial port of entry, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection counts an average of 2,050 truck crossings from Mexico each day.

By 10 a.m., Betancourt made his first crossing into San Diego for the day. Shortly afterward, he steered a 1982 Peterbilt with purple fenders into the queue of southbound trucks carrying empty containers back to Mexico.

Recalls December 2011

Recalls 12/2011
12/30/2011 11:33 AM ESTThe MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) is issuing a warning to consumers to avoid consumption of certain cheese and milk products because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). The presence of L. monocytogenes in foods such as cheese and milk products represents a significant danger to public health.

12/29/2011 03:02 PM EST

U.B.C Food Distributors of Dearborn, MI is recalling 14.08 ounce (400g) cellophane wrapped, product of Lebanon “Baraka Apricot Candies” food treats because they were found to contain undeclared sulfites as preservatives. People who have sensitivities to sulfites run the risk of serious life-threatening reaction if they consume this product.

12/29/2011 11:40 AM EST

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is voluntarily recalling Winn-Dixie Brand Italian Green Beans sold in the 14.5 oz can with a UPC code of 2114021236 and a best by date of Sept. 2014, due to a potential for in-shell peanuts mixed with the green beans. Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction.

12/28/2011 12:47 PM EST

DeRidder, Louisiana - O'Neal's Feeders Supply, Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of its dry Arrow Brand DOG FOOD - because it contains corn which was detected to have higher than the acceptable levels of aflatoxin.

12/28/2011 12:47 PM EST

Feeders Supply, Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of its dry Arrow Brand DOG FOOD – because it contains corn which was detected to have higher than the acceptable levels of aflatoxin.

12/28/2011 11:45 AM EST

Petrus Feed and Seed Stores, Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of its dry dog food – 21% Protein Dog Food in 40 lb Petrus Feed bags. The product is being recalled because the product was manufactured with corn which tested above acceptable levels for Aflatoxin.

12/28/2011 11:57 AM EST

Green Cedar Dairy of Dearborn, Michigan, announces the recall of All Natural Ackawi Cheese and All Natural Chives Cheese with a sell by date up to July 1, 2012 because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease.

12/28/2011 11:44 AM EST

Petrus Feed and Seed Stores, Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of its dry dog food – 21% Protein Dog Food in 40 lb Petrus Feed bags. The product is being recalled because the product was manufactured with corn which tested above acceptable levels for Aflatoxin.

12/27/2011 09:13 PM EST

Smiths Medical, a leading global medical device manufacturer, announced today that it is initiating a nationwide voluntary recall of Bivona® Neonatal, Pediatric and FlexTend™ Tracheostomy Tubes with integrated connector which is not designed to be used with a disconnect wedge. The FDA has been apprised of this action.

12/26/2011 10:46 AM EST

Kradjian Imp Co, Glendale, CA is recalling 231 Cases, 22Lb / Cs of Cedar brand Tresse Cheese, 16 oz and Cedar brand Shinglish cheese, 16 oz because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

12/24/2011 04:59 PM ESTGreen Valley Food Corp. of Dallas, Texas is recalling a grand total of 6,723 cases because of a “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!� Alfalfa Sprouts 5 oz. container test result showed to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. The items affected in the recall are as follows: . For detailed information pertaining to this Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts message, please click the link at the beginning of this bulletin.

12/23/2011 05:35 PM EST

Avon Heights Mushrooms, in full cooperation with the FDA is recalling certain packages of fresh packaged spinach. The brands include Krisp Pak 1 Ooz bags, Better Brand 10oz.bags, and Avon Heights 4-2.51b bags.

12/23/2011 07:55 PM EST

Eillien’s Candies, Inc. is recalling Yogurt Raisins, Granola Mix and Cinnamon Granola Mix because they may contain undeclared yogurt covered peanuts. Consumers who are allergic to peanuts may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

12/23/2011 05:32 PM EST

Maribel’s Sweets Inc. of New York, is recalling its New York Handbag Collection gourmet chocolate candies because they may contain undeclared peanuts and tree nuts (pistachios). People who have allergies to peanuts and pistachios run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

12/23/2011 03:17 PM EST

December 20, 2011 - Price Chopper Supermarkets is issuing a voluntary recall on the following three varieties of Price Chopper 24 oz. French Cheesecake from its bakery: Raspberry with UPC 41735-22898 Blueberry with UPC 41735-22908 Strawberry with UPC 41735-22910

12/23/2011 12:19 PM EST

Ikaria, Inc. announced today that it has completed a remediation action for its INOMAX® DS drug-delivery systems related to a fretting corrosion. This class I recall notice is being issued at the direction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No further action is necessary.

12/23/2011 01:31 PM EST

Sirocco Enterprises, Inc, Jefferson, LA is recalling its 33.8 fluid ounce (1 Liter) bottles of Pat O’Brien’s Bloody Mary Cocktail Mix because it contains undeclared soy and wheat. People who have allergies to soy and wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. Bottles of the recalled Pat O’Brien’s Bloody Mary Cocktail Mix were distributed nationally in retail stores and through internet purveyors.

12/23/2011 08:36 AM EST

Green Valley Food Corp. of is recalling 650 cases of “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!� Alfalfa Sprouts 5 oz. containers, because the results showed to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

12/22/2011 08:25 PM EST

McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. (McNeil) is voluntarily recalling certain lots of MOTRIN® IB 24 count COATED CAPLETS, MOTRIN® IB 24 count COATED TABLETS and MOTRIN® IB 24+6 count COATED CAPLETS from retailers. The products were distributed in the United States, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Fiji, Belize, St. Lucia and Jamaica.

12/22/2011 04:08 PM EST

CareFusion issued the following update regarding the voluntary recall of AVEA® ventilators it initiated in September. The FDA has now classified this action as a Class I recall.

12/22/2011 12:21 PM EST

As a precautionary measure due to mislabeling, Market Basket is initiating a voluntary recall of its Market Basket Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water 5 oz. product — specifically, only those products with the Best Buy Dates of August 18, 2014 and August 19, 2014. Market Basket is voluntarily recalling this product because it contains vegetable broth, which contains soy, and soy is not declared as an allergen in the ingredient statement.


2/21/2011 03:40 PM EST

Cal Fresco, LLC (“Cal Fresco”) is voluntarily working with the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) to coordinate a recall of fresh Jalapeño and Serrano chili peppers for potential contamination with Salmonella. The FDA has advised that a random sample of Cal Fresco Jalapeño and Serrano peppers has tested positive for Salmonella.

12/21/2011 03:23 PM EST

Eclectic Institute, Sandy, Oregon is voluntarily recalling specific lots of its freeze-dried capsules containing Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) and Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) capsules because of potential Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

2/21/2011 03:46 PM EST

Starwest Botanicals is voluntarily recalling Starwest Organic Celery Seed (Whole) because it has potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The product is packaged in Mylar 1lb and 2 oz pouches. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

12/20/2011 08:00 PM EST

Popcorn Palace of Schiller Park, IL, is issuing this statement to alert people with allergies to Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Milk, Soy, and Wheat that some of our 1-Gallon Value Bags contain the undeclared ingredients. Bags were shipped with the ingredient and allergen information not applied directly to the immediate container and important allergen information may not have reached the end consumer.

2/20/2011 01:38 PM EST

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine today alerted consumers to undeclared milk in "Pan Dominicano (Dominican Bread)"packaged and distributed by Gollo Desserts located at 349 Suydam St. in Brooklyn, NY. People who have severe sensitivity to milk may run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

12/18/2011 04:36 PM EST

Ohio Processors, Inc. of London, Ohio announced a voluntarily recall on Instantwhip B/C Topping because the product contains an undeclared milk ingredient (sodium caseinate). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

12/17/2011 12:02 AM ESTB&M, Inc. of Mount Vernon, Missouri is voluntarily recalling O Organics Organic Celery Seed sold in Safeway stores due to potential Salmonella contamination. The product is sold at all Safeway-owned stores, including Safeway, Carrs, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Pak ‘N Save, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Vons.

12/16/2011 11:37 PM EST

Swanson Health Products is voluntarily recalling Swanson Organic Celery Seed (Whole) which is packaged in plastic bottles with a net weight of 1.4 oz. (40 grams) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

2/15/2011 04:46 PM EST

Velvet Creme Popcorn Co. of Westwood, Kansas, is issuing this statement to alert people with allergies to Milk, Soy and Wheat that several of our products contain the undeclared ingredients. These people run a risk of serious or potential life threatening allergic reaction if they consume the following products

12/15/2011 07:36 PM EST

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ), a global medical device company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified its voluntary medical device advisory letter to physicians from Nov. 28, 2011, regarding the performance of Riata® and Riata® ST Silicone Defibrillation Leads, as a Class I Recall. The classification of this recall is part of the process that follows any medical device advisory issued by a device manufacturer to physicians.

12/14/2011 06:05 PM EST

Rising Moon Organics® today issued a voluntary recall of Rising Moon Organics Mediterranean Garlic & Herb Ravioli, a frozen product, because of an incorrect back label on some packages. This mislabeling incident resulted in an undeclared allergen (Soy).

2/14/2011 10:04 AM EST

Rhee Bros.,Inc. of Hanover, MD, is recalling its 8 ounce packages of “ASSI” brand Korean Cake (Gyeong Dan) because they contain undeclared egg. People who have allergies to eggs, run the risk of serious life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

12/14/2011 02:47 PM EST

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: WINN), is voluntarily recalling Sunrise Assorted Flavor Gummy Bears sold in the self-serve bulk area of select store produce departments between November 14 and December 13 due to a remote possibility of metal contamination. The gummy bears included in this recall have been sold in five Winn-Dixie stores in Florida and Louisiana:

12/12/2011 12:56 PM EST

Advanced Animal Nutrition today announced a voluntary recall of its dry Dog Power Dog Food- due to aflatoxin levels that were detected above the acceptable limit. The affected products were manufactured between Jan. 4, 2011, and Nov. 18, 2011.

12/10/2011 10:36 AM EST

Pacific International Marketing (“Pacific”) is working with the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and California Department of Public Health to coordinate a recall of Cilantro for potential contamination with Salmonella. FDA has advised that a sample of Pacific Cilantro has tested positive for Salmonella.

12/09/2011 05:03 PM ESTAs a precautionary measure, certain production lots of Tejava® Premium Iced Tea in 12 oz glass bottles are being recalled nationwide due to the possible presence of glass fragments which could be harmful if swallowed. To date, there have been no reports of any illness or injury.

12/07/2011 11:03 AM EST
Ocean Spray today added five additional Best By code dates to its voluntary recall issued November 25, 2011 of a limited number of production lots of its Original Flavor Craisins® Dried Cranberries in 5-ounce, 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages in the western U.S. only. Ocean Spray took this precautionary measure due to the possible presence of very small hair-like metal fragments that are unlikely to cause consumer injury.

12/07/2011 11:05 AM EST

Cargill Animal Nutrition today announced a voluntary recall of two regional brands of its dry dog food – River Run and Marksman – due to aflatoxin levels that were detected above the acceptable limit. The affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s Lecompte, Louisiana, facility between Dec. 1, 2010, and Dec. 1, 2011
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12/07/2011 05:38 PM ESTFair Oaks Dairy Products, LLC, Fair Oaks, Indiana today issued a voluntary recall of certain one half pound retail packaged cheeses and cheese gift boxes produced under the Fair Oaks Farms Fine Cheese label and sold between September 30, 2011 and December 3, 2011. These cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

12/07/2011 06:00 PM EST

See’s Candies, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., is recalling one code of 8 ounce Almond Clusters, because they may contain peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

12/06/2011 10:15 PM EST

Mars Food US today issued a voluntary recall of two date codes of UNCLE BEN’s Whole Grain White Rice Garden Vegetable due to an undeclared milk allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

12/06/2011 12:20 PM ESThe Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has voluntarily retrieved a single production lot of dry dog food due to aflatoxin levels that were detected above the acceptable limit. This product has already been retrieved from store shelves.

12/05/2011 04:25 PM EST

Flying Food Group’s Lawrenceville, GA facility is updating its recall of FDA regulated sandwiches originally announced on December 3, 2011 to include two additional products that were inadvertently excluded from its original press release. The two additional products are a Turkey Quarter Pounder and a Turkey Quarter Pounder with Tomatoes.

12/03/2011 05:04 PM EST

Golden Glen Creamery of Bow, WA is voluntarily recalling Butter produced on November 2, 2011 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

12/02/2011 05:36 PM EST

Flowers Foods today announced that, out of an abundance of caution, it has pulled off store shelves in certain Florida and southeast Georgia counties loaves of its Nature’s Own Butterbread with the specific best by date of 12/7/11 and the UPC code 72250-04919 because they may contain small flakes of aluminum. No other Nature’s Own bakery products are affected.

12/02/2011 09:59 PM EST

Krasdale Foods Inc. of White Plains, NY is recalling Krasdale Crispy Honey Oats and Flakes because it may contain undeclared almonds. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

12/01/2011 10:34 AM EST

Front Row Produce of St. Louis MO is recalling its 10oz pint and 10lb bulk grape tomatoes supplied by Rio Queen Citrus, Mission TX, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

. For detailed information pertaining to this Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts message, please click the link at the beginning of this bulletin.