In a Jam
I bought a jar of Side Hill Farm Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam and when I opened it, the lid didn’t "pop" as it usually does on jam jars. It looks and smells and tastes fine. Is it ok to use?
J.G., Norwich, VT

REPLY: Side Hill Farm uses the hot pack method, meaning they pack the 200¼F hot jam into sterilized jars and lids which are lightly tightened, then placed into a boiling water bath for ten to twelve minutes. A vacuum is produced under the lid, causing an airtight seal as the product cools overnight. In the morning, they check each jar’s seal. Your jar may have slipped through their check without a perfect seal, or it may have been jolted during transport. Because of the nature of the product, as long as it isn’t moldy, you can eat it without any danger from foodborne illness.

According to the National Food Safety Database website, http://www.foodsafety.ufl.edu/cmenu/can/canning.htm, if you discover extensive mold on your jam, discard the entire product. If there is only a small amount of surface mold, discard the mold and _ inch of the good product underneath. Though mold growth can change the pH of products, the high sugar concentration would prevent any danger of botulism.

One further food safety note: when faced with a questionable food product, do not taste it! In the case of highly perishable, protein-based foods that can support the growth of dangerous microorganisms (raw and cooked meat, fish, poultry, and eggs; and cooked foods such as pasta, rice, vegetables, and beans) or foods coated with oil and left at room temperature, make this your mantra: When in doubt, throw it out!

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Cigarettes and Kids
I am an eighth grader who is very upset about your cigarette display (in the Hanover store). I have taken drug education classes that point out various ways that cigarette companies try to market to young people, including using displays that make stealing cigarettes easy. I think that, although it is in plain view, your display makes it easy for young people to steal from. Please install doors on the cabinets, preferably locked ones.
C.D., Hanover, N.H.

REPLY: We appreciate hearing from you on this issue and are pleased to learn of your concern about smoking and young people. We have moved our display because of the problem of theft and have noted a large reduction in the number of cigarettes stolen. We have also added locks to part of the display, despite members’ complaints about the inconvenience this causes them. We carry cigarettes because our members have asked us to do so, and we strive to address the needs and expectations of all of our members as best we can. At the same time, we support your interest and awareness of the problems inherent in cigarette smoking and will try to do our best to reduce availability to minors.

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Using Functional Foods
After reading in the Co-op newsletter about the benefits of the plant enzyme in Take Control and Benecol, I began using them instead of butter. But recently I read in another newspaper that Take Control has no beneficial effect on cholesterol levels unless you eat 3 teaspoons a day.
K.M., Sharon, VT

REPLY: The manufacturers of both Take Control and Benecol recommend the full daily serving for effective cholesterol-lowering benefits. A daily serving of Benecol is three 8 gram packets, or about 1_ tablespoons. A full daily serving of Take Control is 2 tablespoons. These were the daily quantities used in studies that showed a reduced cholesterol level of 10 to 14 percent.

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