Major Soda Recall In Florida

There has been a major soda recall in Florida, so you need to check your cans.  Around 2,000 cases of Diet Coke, Sprite and Fanta Orange soda cans have been recalled because of possible foreign material in the product.

The Food and Drug Administration said it began on Nov. 6.  It involves 1,557 cases of 12-ounce cans of Sprite, 417 cases of Diet Coke, and 14 cases of Fanta Orange.   The product was made by United Packers, based in Alabama.

Last month the Food and Drug Administration made the announcement.  United Packers LLC. of Mobile, Alabama, is the company that packages the sodas.  Even though stores have removed the product, they said the “Best By” dates mean people may still have them at homes.   This affects products sold in 3 states, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.   They are urging people to check their sodas at home to make sure.

A representative for the Coca-Cola brand told People that "all recall activities in the local markets are complete. No impacted product remains in the market."

Sprite 12 oz cans - 12 packs

Diet Coke 12 oz cans - 12 packs

Fanta Orange 12 oz cans - 12 pack

If you need more information, you can check the FDA's website on this recall.

This recall comes on the heels of another food safety alert.  It was discovered late last month that there was s a salmonella outbreak involving cantaloupes and cut fruit.  This according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Salmonella cases were reported in 32 states in total.

The cantaloupe outbreak is tied to multiple fruit brands — brands with “Malichita” or “Rudy"stickers on them that also feature the number “4050” and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique"; Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupes sold in Oklahoma between Oct. 30 and Nov. 10; and ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products with best-buy dates between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31 in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin.

With Christmas only a few weeks away, you might be scrambling to figure out your plans for the big day. Maybe you’re hosting your whole family for the holidays, but what if you just want to sit back and relax? We’ve got you covered. We put together a list of Tampa restaurants open Christmas Day to help you plan for the holidays.

The Christmas season is always filled with fun activities and good memories, but for some it can be stressful. There’s family parties almost always involving too much alcohol, crazy shopping experiences and sometimes you just need to take a break and relax.

If you’re looking to skip the cooking this year, you’re in luck. There’s so many restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Tampa and we’re here to help you decide. Maybe you want to head out for brunch with the family, or eat seafood by the water. Maybe, you are looking to wind down with a few drinks at the bar after a full day of festivities.

Everybody knows the big chains like Waffle House and McDonalds are there to serve up their classic meals, but we tried to keep it local. If you are heading out to the restaurants this year, keep in mind these places may have shortened hours.

To make sure you secure your seat at the table at one of these restaurants this Christmas, don’t wait. Seats are flying, so make sure you’ve got your plans locked in before the big day.

Every restaurant is different so checking the website before making a reservation is a good idea. We included restaurants with special menus, full menus, and brunch style buffets as well for a good mix of options. Whether you want burgers, sushi, Italian, or a classic Florida seafood meal, we have got you covered. There’s options for everyone.

Here are 8 Tampa Bay Restaurants open on Christmas Day.

If you’re looking for one of the best restaurants open on Christmas day, why not make it Florida’s oldest restaurant? Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Sarasota, and Clearwater beach will serve specials as well as the regular dinner menu. If you want to cater your Christmas party, ask about their curbside takeaway meals that service 8-10 people. 

Don’t feel like dressing up for a fancy dinner? Head over to Datz where you can be comfy and cozy. Brunch can get pretty crazy packed at Datz, so we recommend making a reservation.

Remember, the South Tampa location closed earlier this year, but we still have the St. Pete and Riverview locations!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a panoramic view with a four course brunch or A la Carte dinner at the Rusty Pelican. Celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with oysters, crab, pasta, cake and more. Book your reservation today.

Timpano sits right in the middle of the historic Hyde Park. Soak in the taste of Christmas with classic Italian foods and cocktails. Book your reservation today.

Terra Gaucha isn’t your average steakhouse. They standby the methods their ancestors used with the natural wood charcoal and rock sea salt to create a truly authentic experience. See what all the hype is about this Christmas and book your reservation today.

Meat Market is a fresh American Steakhouse with classic roots. They combine the traditional staples of the classic steakhouse with the modern spin to create an upbeat atmosphere. Book your reservation today before it’s too late.

Kona Grill isn’t just a one stop shop. They have sushi, cocktails, burgers, chicken, and more to feed any craving you might have on Christmas Day.

Oysterscatchers is one of the fanciest options on the list. Seats start at $110 per person and $150 per person with wine pairing. Some dishes you'll see on the Christmas menu are crab cakes, lobster & crab bisque, branzino, prime rib, whipped sheese potatoes, tiramisu and more. For the full Christmas menu and to book a reservation, click here.