NEW `SAFE HANDLING' LABELS GEARED TO MEAT AND POULTRY USERS

Consumers buying meat and poultry products are getting something extra with their purchases.

"Safe Handling Instructions" have arrived.

"The new labels, which explain how to store, cook and care for leftovers, are on all packages of raw and partially cooked ground meat and whole poultry," explained a clerk in one store's meat department. "Next month, the labels will be placed on all other not-ready-to-eat meat and poultry."

The new meat labeling regulation is part of an effort to protect consumers from food-borne illness, according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the public health agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture that is responsible for ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe.

"It's a victory for consumers," said Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy.

"After 20 years of discussion on whether to provide consumers with vital information about meat and poultry products, this administration has ended the debate and has taken action to help American families," added Espy. "This will help consumers protect themselves and their families."

The requirements also apply to imported meat and poultry products.

"Products that do not include the instructions on their labels will be considered misbranded and subject to enforcement action," said Espy.

The USDA estimates that food-borne illnesses caused by bacteria on mishandled or undercooked meat and poultry products cost the nation up to $4.3 billion each year.

This latest program, explained Patrick Collins, director of information and legislative affairs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was initiated as a result of an outbreak of food-borne illness in January 1993 in several western states. That illness was caused by a bacterial strain created by undercooked hamburgers served in several restaurants.

"Safe storing and thawing of meat and poultry can prevent food poisoning," said Collins. "Storing at safe refrigerator temperatures of 40 degrees and below slows bacterial growth, and freezer temperatures of 0 degrees stop nearly all bacterial growth."

A special Meat and Poultry Hotline has been established to answer consumer food safety questions.

The hotline does not give medical advice or provide recipes. But, it will answer questions about safe food handling and preparations. The 24-hour number is 1-800-535-4555.

New affiliation

Craftsman Office Supply Company, Inc., 835 Broadway, an office supply firm for more than 45 years in Cape Girardeau, has affiliated with American Loose Leaf/Business Products, Inc.

Craftsman announced last week that its assets had been purchased by American Loose Leaf, effective May 31.

The Craftsman Company, founded by C.A. Bohnsack in 1948, was originally a printing company but expanded into business products within two years.

Through the years, the company has occupied a number of locations in downtown Cape Girardeau.

In 1971, the commercial printing division was sold to Concord Publishing, allowing Craftsman to further expand and focus on business products and commercial office interiors.

Bob Bohnsack joined the family operation in 1975, and became president of the firm in 1982.

Bohnsack said the office products industry is undergoing a rapid transformation.

"Only those who continue to become the low cost distributor of goods and services will be able to serve at a time when the industry is becoming saturated with low service superstores," he added.

"This partnership with American Loose Leaf assures our customers that they will have the same local service for their office-product needs," he continued. "Craftsman Office Supply will continue to be dedicated to our community and to true customer services for years to come."

American Loose Leaf/Business Products Inc., also a family-owned business with headquarters in St. Louis, was founded in 1920.

The company is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of ring binders, presentation and data binders, as well as being one of the region's largest suppliers of business products.

The company now has locations in Cape Girardeau and Columbia.

A rose is a rose

The rose, one of the most widely recognized flowers in the United States, has its own month.

This is National Rose Month, and the honor is well deserved, says a representative of Roses, Inc., an association representing rose growers in the United States and Canada.

In 1993, more than one billion -- 1,205,832,000 -- roses were sold in the United States as cut flowers. That works out to 4.67 roses for every man, woman and child in the country.

National public opinion polls show the rose to be the number one choice of more than 85 percent of those individuals surveyed.

In 1986, Congress passed legislation that named the rose our "National Floral Emblem."

Rogers Jewelers, established in 1920, will open a store at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau.

The company is already hiring managers, assistant managers and sales associates.

A new month, a new record.

Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport Manager Randy Holdman was pleased when April enplanements reached 510, the highest month in more than four years at the airport.

"We were excited then, and we're more excited now," said Holdman, who reports another record-breaking total for May -- 521.

"It's great to realize that people are (re)discovering not only the Cape Girardeau Airport, but Trans World Express," he added.

TWE will be moving its weekday evening departure time from 6:30 to 5:30 p.m. July 1, in response to requests of the flying public.

Holdman also reminds the public of "Balloon Fest `94," which will be hosted by Cape Girardeau Council of the Arts next month.

About 40 balloons are expected for the two-day event, which will feature tethered balloon rides, balloon races and displays of various aircraft.

Boat Notes:

The Players International riverboat gambling casino is still averaging more than 3,000 visitors a day.

According to the Illinois Gaming Board's monthly riverboat casino report, the Metropolis-based facility had 105,569 visitors in May, for an average of 3,732 a day.

The city of Metropolis received $392,476 in revenues from Players, and the state received $966,590.

The state received a total of $13.5 million as its share of revenues from the nine riverboat casinos in the state.

East St. Louis Casino Queen and Joliet Empress continue to rank one-two in attracting visitors. A total of 269,661 visitors boarded the Empress, and 268,077 visited the Casino Queen.

Hamburger Express, 902 William, Cape Girardeau, has expanded its menu and added a catering service.

The new menu items are hickory-smoked barbecue, including sliced or chopped barbecue sandwiches, sides of ribs and rib tips with the trimmings -- potato salad, baked beans and slaw.

Anna (Ill.) Ready Mix is expanding to Olmsted and Tamms.

"The new expansion will allow us to better serve the area's concrete needs," said a spokesman of the firm, which already has facilities at Anna, Cairo, Carbondale and DuQuoin.

The company has already expanded to Olmsted, where it is providing concrete for construction on the Olmsted Locks and Dam. Future plans include expanding to Tamms to provide concrete for work on the new work camp and prison.