I don't recall that.

I mean, admittedly, they do sound alike. Especially in a busy taco factory. “Hun, could you hand me a taco?” And instead, you get cocoa. It’s feasible. And probably appreciated.

The recent recall on taco kits because the seasoning packet inside turns out to be hot cocoa mix has me puzzled, and slightly sympathetic to the factory workers. In fact, I’m questioning if I was there that day.

I don’t recall that.

It just seems like something I would so much be a part of. Not that I’m entirely mischievous. I’m just known for doing the wrong thing accidentally. You know, I am the inventor of grits cookies, maple syrup (instead of vanilla) cake, and pouring tea on the corn flakes. (They should make all milk containers clear.)

The reason I’m pretty sure that wasn’t me that mixed up the cocoa with the taco seasoning is the word “kit.” We don’t build tacos that way around here. I mean how complicated can it be that people have to have a kit?

Kits are for building sports cars when you can’t afford the real thing - like a Bradley or a Sterling for people otherwise living in a world of Kias and Mazdas. Kits are for building a complex Comicon type sci-fi setting out of legos. Kits are not for building tacos.

I don’t recall that.

You buy a pound of ground beef, some taco shells, lettuce, salsa, and pre-grated cheese, and call it supper. You don’t need a kit for that. So while I feel a little bit sorry for those who had chocolate meat on their shells, they could have avoided it by being a little less dependent on the box dinners.

I’m not a fan of the packet seasoning anyway. I like my meat to taste like meat and look like meat. When you pour that packet in there, it turns it red and something greasy and detergent-proof always runs out of the shell and makes a beeline for my elbow.

I recall that.

My biggest concern is what happened that day at the factory to cause this kind of mix-up. First level of concern: This is a pretty substantial mix-up. The hot cocoa mix did not get confused with sugar-free hot cocoa  or with low-fat hot cocoa. It got mixed up with taco seasoning. How did the cocoa even get in that department?

Second level of concern: I understand this happening once, but this was not just in a box or two. The hot cocoa style of Mexican fiesta made it all the way to 27 states and the District of Columbia. Was no one paying attention? What was happening in that factory, the Alabama-Tennessee game on the big screen?

I recall that. This year I do.

Ultimately, recalls are just a part of life. We all remember them, and maybe had to take back a jar of peanut butter or a can of soda, but some have been bigger than others. A nightmare for stockholders, a conversation piece for the rest of us. I remember an electronic tablet being recalled because it would overheat and burst into flames. Can you imagine someone being on a dating site? I don’t know how they work really, but you swipe a certain direction and see a possible match, and not only does he look pretty good to you, the whole tablet goes up in flames! 

I don’t recall that. Not in my dating years.

And I think salmonella has been a reason for recall in every food out there except maybe salmon, which . . . you would think . . . 

But no. At least I don’t recall that.