Just How Stupid Are We?

--Stupid Decade, Pat Bagley

Stupid is as stupid does
--Forrest Gump (1994)
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File under: You Can't be a Great Nation Like This.

The Food and Drug Administration's warnings are mailed to my Inbox, and today's from our local Publix market caught my eye:

Publix Issues Allergy Alert on Pecans in Publix Pumpkin Pecan Streusel Pie

Company Contact:
Maria Brous
863-680-5339

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 29, 2009 – Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for Publix Pumpkin Pecan Streusel Pie, because it was mislabeled and may contain undeclared pecans. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk of allergic reaction if they consume this product. Product was prepared at Publix stores for retail sale between November and December 2009. The recalled product has a UPC number of: 002- 95118-20399-7 and is packaged in a 30 ounce plastic container. The name of the product describes the product as "Pumpkin Pecan Streusel Pie. . .

"As part of our commitment to food safety and in cooperation with the FDA, we are issuing this voluntarily recall," said Maria Brous, Publix director of media and community relations. "Since customers may still have these pies in their homes, we wanted to take every precaution to make them aware of the pecan as an ingredient."

What are these "undeclared pecans"? Have they snuck over the border? Are they Mexican?

"... every precaution to make them aware of the pecan as an ingredient." So, if listing "pecan" in the label "Pumpkin Pecan Streusel Pie" is not adequate, I am at a loss. How much further can one go to aid the clueless? Should the pie makers put a mini Bozo the Clown pop-up on each box, trumpeting the demon pecan?

Whaaa?