Many food companies have opened their hotlines, offering help with cooking and baking. If you're stumped on the best way to thaw, prepare or cook a turkey, have a baking-related question or are concerned about food safety, give the folks below a call. Many also offer recipes, free brochures and online help.
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Ohio State Food Safety Hotline: 1‐614‐292‐5881 We are the Ohio State University, your home for practical, research‐based food safety information. We focus on it all – The Farm, The Food Producer, The Marketplace, and the People who eat Safe Food, whether they Eat Out or Dine In. http://foodsafety.osu.edu
Butterball Turkey Talk‐Line Info: 1‐800‐BUTTERBALL (1‐800‐288‐8372) Open annually in November and December. Call weekdays from 8 a.m. ‐ 6 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) through Dec. 23. Open to residents of the United States and Canada. Bilingual assistance is available (English & Spanish). Read the answers to their most frequently asked questions. www.butterball.com/faqs
Fleischmann’s Baker's Help Line: 1‐800‐777‐4959 Staffed by home economists and professional bakers. Monday ‐ Saturday 10:00 am — 4:00 pm, except holidays. Visit Fleischmann’s Yeast Resource Center for information from their Test Kitchen staff on what equipment you will need when baking, what ingredients you should keep on hand, step‐by‐ step instructions, etc. www.breadworld.com
Hershey's Consumer Hot Line: 1‐800‐468‐1714 Let the folks at Hershey’s walk you through every chocolate question you've ever had. Ask for recipes too! This line is open Monday ‐ Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM EST, all year round. Their website has a special Holiday Recipes page with holiday recipes and tips for bakers of every level. www.hersheys.com
HoneySuckle White: 1‐800‐810‐6325 Automated assistance to questions about turkey. Anytime through Dec. 31. Visit their website for Holiday Help Headquarters for Menu Ideas, Holiday on a Budget, and the Holiday Kid Zone. www.honeysucklewhite.com
Ocean Spray Consumer Helpline: 1‐800‐662‐3263 Learn everything you ever wanted to know about cranberries, including ideas for using leftover canned cranberry sauce. The hotline is open Monday ‐ Friday from 9 AM ‐ 4 PM EST, all year round. And it's open on Thanksgiving! Visit their website for special Holiday Recipes. www.oceanspray.com
Perdue Farms: 1‐800‐473‐7383 Find out about roasting, carving, stuffing, gravy and turkey leftovers. Visit their website for Holiday Meal Tips for shopping and recipes and a special Holiday Planning Guide. www.perdue.com
Reynolds KitchenTips Line: 1‐800‐745‐4000 Recorded message on defrosting turkey as well as several ways to roast turkey. Anytime through December 31st. www.reynoldskitchens.com
Very Best Baking Consumer Hot Line: Get tips and advice, plus recipes using products made by Nestle, Carnation Milk, and Libby’s Pumpkin. The line is open Monday ‐ Friday from 8 AM ‐ 8 PM EST, all year round. Nestle USA: 1‐800‐225‐2270, Nestle Toll House Dough Products: 1‐800‐289‐7314, Nestle Toll House Baking Products: 1‐800‐851‐0512, Nestle Carnation Milk Products: 1‐800‐854‐8935, Libby’s Pumpkin Products: 1‐800‐854‐0374 www.verybestbaking.com
USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline: If you have a question about meat, poultry, or egg products, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline toll free at: 1‐888‐MPHotline (or 1‐888‐674‐6854) TTY: 1‐800‐256‐7072. The Hotline is open ear‐round Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET (English or Spanish). Send E‐mail questions to MPHotline.fsis@usda.gov. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. Check out the FSIS Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov.