Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus today
urged consumers who purchased scented pine cones originating
in India to return them to the point of purchase as
they may contain wood-boring beetles that are harmful
to pine trees.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a national
recall of scented pine cones sold in Target, Wal-Mart,
JoAnn Fabrics, Lowe’s, Dollar Tree, Safeway,
Frank’s Nursery and K-mart stores nationwide.
The pine cones may have been sold individually or
as part of potpourri.
Federal and state inspectors recently found infested
pine cones in stores in nine states, including three
Target stores in New Jersey. Those stores are located
in Deptford, Gloucester County; Bound Brook, Somerset
County, and Middletown, Monmouth County.
“While it’s uncertain how these beetles
would impact our native pines, we don’t want
to take any chances,” said Secretary Kuperus. “We
are asking the public to help protect New Jersey’s
forested areas by complying with this important recall.”
Two types of beetles have been discovered: chlorophorus
strobilicola, a pest native to India, and an unidentified
species of genus cydia. These pests, which feed on
pine cones and lower seed production, had never before
been detected in the United States.
Store managers and consumers concerned about possible
infestation should check for exit holes in the cone,
a sawdust-like material called frass or egg sacs
in the crevices between the scales of the pine cones.
If consumers cannot return the product to the store
where it was purchased, they should freeze it or
double bag it, tie it securely and dispose of it
in the trash. Frozen products should remain in the
freezer for a minimum of two days to ensure the pests
are killed.
Inspectors from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s
Plant Industry Division continue to visit stores
statewide to ensure store managers are aware of the
recall and are pulling the product from their shelves.
The UPC numbers for the affected products are:
009134052930, 024709122192, 071716018702, 076001708344, 076001708337,
076001708269, 076001708245, 076001708252, 076001707415, 076001707408,
076001707422, 076001708306, 076001708320, 076001708559, 076001708542,
076001708560, 076001708566, 643727307450, 721366827680, 750197869675,
and 826214004241.
Photos: Beetle | Label | Package | Larvae
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