Wisconsin briefs - Chicken patties recalled

WASHINGTON

Chicken products recalled

OSI Industries, LLC, a Fort Arkinson establishment, is recalling approximately 21,403 pounds of chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

The ready-to-eat chicken products were produced on Aug. 5, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: 35-oz./2 lbs 3 oz frozen plastic packages containing “ON-COR CHICKEN PATTIES MICROWAVEABLE” with Best by Date 8/5/2017

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-5615” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The problem was discovered when the firm received notification of three consumer complaints mentioning firm blue plastic in their product. The product was contaminated around the time a trim repair was made on belt material.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

MADISON

Kids from Wisconsin announce audition dates, locations

The Kids from Wisconsin is currently accepting applications to audition for its 2017 season. The show troupe has been entertaining audiences all over Wisconsin, the Midwest and the nation since the KIDS inaugural summer of 1969. Following 17 days of training and learning the two-hour, Broadway style production, this talented group of 20 vocalists/dancers and 13 instrumentalists will take to stages to perform up to 60 shows this summer along with being featured  at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Kids from Wisconsin is a non profit performing arts program for talented youth ages 15-20. The auditions will take place in five cities in four days, allowing youth from all over Wisconsin a chance to be a part of the 49th year of Kids from Wisconsin.

• Feb.19 - 2 to 6 p.m. UW-Platteville, Center for the Arts, Platteville.
• Feb.24 - 4 to 6 p.m. UW-Eau Claire, Haas Fine Arts Building, Eau Claire
• Feb.25 - 8 to 11:30 a.m. Mountain Bay Elementary School, Schofield
• Feb.25 - 2 to 6 p.m. UW-Green Bay, Studio Arts #1, Green Bay
• Feb.26 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee

Applications must be submitted by Jan. 9, 2017 and can be found at www.kidsfromwisconsin.org/ Walk-ins available only if slots exist.

MADISON

Comments close Nov. 15 on Omega® 500F for potatoes

Public comments are open through Tuesday, Nov. 15, on a proposed special pesticide registration that would allow potato growers to apply the fungicide Omega® 500F to the soil to prevent powdery scab.

The active ingredient in the product is fluazinam. Omega® 500F is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and in Wisconsin to control fungal diseases in several crops, including potatoes. However, its use is limited to spraying it on the plants. Research has shown that it provides better control against powdery scab when applied in-furrow.

Powdery scab damages the surface of potatoes, leaving them unmarketable, and exposes the plant to other diseases. It flourishes in cool, wet conditions. Because its spores may remain in the soil 10-20 years, crop rotation is not an effective strategy to eliminate it, and only three other products are available in Wisconsin to suppress it, all with the same active ingredient.

ISK Biosciences Corp. manufactures Omega® 500F, and Syngenta distributes it in the United States. A previous special registration for this use expired Dec. 31, 2015.

The preliminary environmental assessment indicates that the proposed registration will not require a full environmental assessment. This special registration will expire Dec. 31, 2020.

For a copy of the assessment call Otto Oemig at 608-224-4542 or otto.oemig@wisconsin.gov. Comments received on or before 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, will become part of the preliminary environmental assessment record. Send comments to Otto Oemig at the above email address.

WOOD COUNTY

Horse tests positive for EEE in Wood County

The Wood County Health Department says a horse has tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis.

The state department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reported the case to the state health department this week. The E-E-E virus is transmitted to humans, horses and other animals by infected mosquitos, who feed on infected birds. There have been no human cases in Wisconsin since 2011. 

Cases of encephalitis normally don’t appear this late in the year, but with mild weather hanging on, reports of new cases are still coming in. The arrival of cold weather will eliminate mosquitos, but until that happens, state health officials are urging people to reduce exposure to mosquitos, and to eliminate potential breeding sites, like bird baths and feeders, ceramic pots or old tires that might be holding rain water. Residents are also urged to clean out roof gutters and down-spouts, turn over wading pools, wheelbarrows or boats, and trim tall grass and weeds as well.