Thread: Hot dog chili sauce in botulism recall : Castleberry's, Austex and Kroger brands

Hot dog chili sauce in botulism recall
By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 27 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Federal health officials warned consumers Wednesday to throw away certain cans of hot dog chili sauce after the product was linked to the first cases of botulism in commercially canned foods in decades.

Four people were hospitalized. The warning applies to 10-ounce cans of Castleberry's, Austex and Kroger brands of hot dog chili sauce with "best by" dates from April 30, 2009, through May 22, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration said. It wasn't immediately clear how widely the products were distributed.

The contamination by the toxin is extremely rare for a commercially canned product. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention medical epidemiologist Dr. Michael Lynch said the last such U.S. case dates to the 1970s. The roughly 25 cases reported each year typically involved home-canned foods, Lynch said.

The victims — two each in Texas and Indiana — were seriously ill but expected to survive. The Texas cases involved children who are siblings. The Indiana cases involved an adult couple. No other details were available.

The products were made by the Castleberry Food Co., owned by Bumble Bee Seafoods LLC. The company, based in San Diego, had no immediate comment.

FDA has sent experts to the Castleberry plant in Augusta, Ga., where the products were canned, said Robert Brackett, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. The company is voluntarily recalling all potentially contaminated product and is cooperating with state and federal officials, Brackett added.

Botulism is a muscle-paralyzing disease caused by a toxin made by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, according to the CDC.

Brackett urged consumers to discard any of the recalled cans without opening them. "The toxin is so potent if they get it on their hands or it sprays in their face, it could make them ill," he said.

Typically, commercially canned foods are heated long enough and to high enough temperatures to kill the spores. "It's been a triumph of food safety that canning is safe. That's what makes this so unusual," Lynch said.

Symptoms of botulism include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness that moves down the body, according to the CDC. Eventually, paralysis can cause a person to stop breathing and die, unless supported by a ventilator. Most victims eventually recover after weeks to months of care.


The recall covers the following universal product codes:

_Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030000101);

_Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030099533);

_Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 1111083942).

Consumers with questions may call the company toll-free at 888-203-8446.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070719/....3nKbNi_Ks0NUE

On the Net:

Castleberry Food Co.: http://www.castleberrys.com/

CDC botulism information: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/botulism/index.asp

Jolie, thanks so much for posting this. A good friend of ours just bought a can of Castleberrys yesterday. She has enough wrong with her (bad heart) without getting sick from the chili.

Risk of Botulism Poisoning - Chili Products sold Nationally


Affected units were sold nationally and consumers in all parts of the country should check the label and "Best By" date on the bottom of the cans.

Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized. Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should not eat them and throw them away immediately. List of products from The U.S. Food and Drug Administration...

10 ounce cans of Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030000101)

Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030099533)

Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 1111083942)

with "best by" dates from April 30, 2009 through May 22, 2009 due to possible botulism contamination. If the "best by" date is missing or unreadable consumers should throw the product out. The "best by dates" can be found on the can lids. UPC is the bar code number which should appear on a product label.

Botulism can be fatal.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc. Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.

Individuals who show these symptoms and who may have recently eaten Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, or Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce should seek immediate medical attention.

All of the above products are manufactured by the Castleberry Food Company in Augusta, Georgia.

Castleberry has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all of the potentially contaminated products and is cooperating with FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the states' active investigations into the cause of this contamination and scope of the products' distribution.

FDA will provide updates as more information becomes available. Consumers can call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsem....asp?a=217&z=1

Botulism Warning Expanded
Additional consumer products & pet products

Private Health Alert: The Federal government is expanding its original July 18 warning to consumers.

This expansion is for consumers and pet owners regarding canned food products and dog food produced by Castleberry Food Company of Augusta, Ga., due to the risk of botulinum toxin. Castleberry is expanding the recall to include all of the following canned products with all "best by" and code dates, and Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to purchase or eat any of the canned products listed in the table below.

The agency is expanding its warning based in part on FDA test results and information obtained during a joint FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection of the Castleberry's facility in Augusta, Ga.

While the previous recall and the known illnesses are linked to production dates of April 30 to May 22, 2007, the firm has extended the recall to include all products listed irrespective of "best by" date. The firm is cooperating with FDA in the recall of these products and has ceased processing and distribution.


Hot Dog Chili Sauces - SIZE - UPC CODES

Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 30300-97101

Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 30300-99533

Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 30300-00101

Castleberry's Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 30300-07101

Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 75266-04152

Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 11110-83942

Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 41250-85862

Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 35826-06911

Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 25439-92448

Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10 OZ 21140-21367


Natural Balance Eatables dog food varieties:

Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food 15 OZ 23633-59860

Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food 15 OZ 23633-59861

Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Chicken and Vegetables Dog Food
15 OZ 23633-59862

Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food 15 OZ 23633-59863


Affected units were sold nationally and consumers in all parts of the country should check the label and "Best By" date on the bottom of the cans.

Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized.


In addition, Castleberry's is recalling other products containing meat, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is also warning the public not to eat certain brands of Castleberry's products containing meat. The list of these USDA-regulated products can be viewed at this link to this web page:

Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. Double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home.

Retailers that have any of these products are asked to assure that they are removed from use and do not accidentally get reintroduced for sale, service or donation.

Botulism can be fatal and is an extreme health risk.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc. Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.

Individuals who show these symptoms and who may have recently eaten Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, or Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce should seek immediate medical attention.

All of the above products are manufactured by the Castleberry Food Company in Augusta, Georgia.

Castleberry has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all of the potentially contaminated products and is cooperating with FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the states' active investigations into the cause of this contamination and scope of the products' distribution.

FDA will provide updates as more information becomes available. Consumers can call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsem....asp?a=221&z=1

Georgia processor expands meat recall
Mon Jul 23, 8:01 AM ET

WASHINGTON - A Georgia meat processor expanded its recall of canned meat products that may be connected to a botulism outbreak.

Castleberry's Food Co. of Augusta recalled more than 80 types of canned chili, beef stew, corned beef hash and other meat products over the weekend, in addition to the 10 brands it recalled Thursday.

Cans of chili sauce made at the Castleberry's plant were found in the homes of an Indiana couple and two children in Texas who had been hospitalized with botulism — a muscle-paralyzing illness caused by a toxin made by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, commonly found in soil. All four are expected to survive.

The Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Thursday that an equipment malfunction may have been responsible for the contamination.

On Saturday, FSIS said the malfunctions at the Augusta processing plant may have existed longer than initially estimated.

Castleberry's, which is owned by Bumble Bee Seafoods LLC and based in San Diego, voluntarily expanded the recall.

Castleberry's senior vice president Steve Mavity said: "We believe we have isolated the issue to a situation of under-processing on one line of our production facility. As an extra precaution to the recall we announced on Wednesday, we have shut down this line altogether and are recalling all products produced on it."

Brand names of the recalled products include Austex, Best Yet, Big Y, Black Rock, Bloom, Bryan, Bunker Hill, Castleberry's, Cattle Drive, Firefighters, Food Club, Food Lion, Goldstar, Great Value, Kroger, Lowes, Meijer, Morton House, Paramount, Piggly Wiggly, Prudence, Southern Home, Steak N Shake, Thrifty Maid, Triple Bar and Value Time. The recall also includes four varieties of Natural Balance dog food.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Castleberry's at 1-888-203-8446.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070723/...tukh4xXp5H2ocA

On the Net:

Castleberry's Food Co.: http://www.castleberrys.com/

Food Safety and Inspection Service: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/

Chili plant closes for botulism probe By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer
32 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - Castleberry's Food Company has closed its production facility in Augusta, Ga., after 16 cans of chili sauce tested positive for botulism over the weekend, company officials said Monday.

ADVERTISEMENT

In addition, the company has hired an outside firm to visit more than 8,500 retailers around the country in an effort to quickly get recalled products off store shelves.

So far, four cases of botulism have been reported — two from Indiana and two from Texas. All four people consumed Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original, a product made by Castleberry's.

On Saturday, Castleberry's expanded its recall of canned meat products that may be connected to a botulism outbreak. It recalled more than 80 types of canned chili, beef stew, corned beef hash and other meat products in addition to the 10 brands it had recalled Thursday.

Company officials said they were working closely with the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture to determine just how widespread the problem is, but they could not provide information about what quantity of the products in question are still on store shelves.

"So that we can devote all available resources to this investigation, we agreed to shut down our entire facility in Augusta. We will not process any more food there until the FDA and the USDA agrees it is appropriate to reopen," said Dave Melbourne, senior vice president for Castleberry's. "And, we have stopped all further product distribution from our centers."

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by consuming foods with the botulinim toxin, a nerve toxin that left untreated can cause paralysis of the arms, breathing muscles and legs. Symptoms, such as blurred vision and slurred speech, generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food.

Typically, commercially canned foods are heated long enough and to high enough temperatures to kill the spores. Melbourne confirmed that the botulism occurred in the chili sauce because the product was undercooked.

Out of caution, the company decided to recall all other products produced on that particular production line.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Castleberry's at 1-888-203-8446.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070723/...JdOqn3yMOs0NUE

On the Net:

Food and Drug Administration: http:http://www.fda.gov

Castleberry's Food Co.: http://www.castleberrys.com/

BOTULISM UPDATE: List of Recalled Foods Still Growing

http://health.webmd.com/cgi-bin21/DM...JmB0IsZ05aA0Ei


[b]Botulism Recall Widened
Food Company Recalls More Than 90 Canned Products for People and Pets
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDJuly 23, 2007 -- Botulism risk has spurred the FDA and Castleberry's Food Co. to widen Castleberry's canned goods recall.

The recall now includes more than 80 canned goods for people and four products for pets. All of those products are made by Castleberry's Food Co., but they bear various brand names.

The FDA and Castleberry's first announced a botulism-related recall on July 18 after four people -- two in Texas and two in Indiana -- became seriously ill and were hospitalized with botulism poisoning after eating Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce.

As of yesterday, no new human cases of botulism poisoning associated with Castleberry's products had been reported to the CDC. Castleberry's is widening the recall as a precaution.

Earlier, the recall only included products with certain "Best By" dates printed on the cans. But now, the recall includes all of the products listed by Castleberry's, regardless of "Best By" date.

Botulism is a severe form of food poisoning, often fatal if not treated quickly. Botulism is caused by bacterium that produces a toxin, and it is sometimes present in improperly canned or preserved foods. The four recent cases of botulism poisoning were the first in decades that were associated with commercial canned goods.

Botulism Risk: Consumer Advice
People with any of the recalled products or foods made from those products should throw them away immediately, even if the products don't look or smell spoiled. A full list of recalled products appears at the end of this article

The FDA recommends double bagging the cans in plastic bags, closing the bags tightly, and putting the bags in a trash can for nonrecyclable trash outside the home. Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least two minutes afterward.

Castleberry's Food Company is located in Augusta, Ga. Its products were in the U.S. and Canada.

For more information, including details about product refunds, contact Castleberry's consumer information hotline at (888) 203-8446 or (800) 203-4412.

Botulism Poisoning Symptoms in People
Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans can begin from six hours to 10 days after eating food that contains the botulism toxin.

Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc.

Botulism poisoning can also paralyze the breathing muscles, which can be fatal unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.

People who show these symptoms and who may have recently eaten one of the recalled products should seek immediate medical attention.

Botulism Poisoning Symptoms in Pets
At this time, the FDA isn't aware of pet illnesses associated with these products, but the FDA still recommends discarding those products.

In the past, botulism poisoning has only been seen occasionally in dogs and has not been reported in cats. Ferrets are highly susceptible to botulism.

The incubation period can be two hours to two weeks. In most cases, the symptoms appear after 12-24 hours.

Botulism is characterized by progressive motor paralysis. Typical clinical signs may include muscle paralysis; difficulty breathing, chewing, and swallowing; visual disturbances; and generalized weakness. Death usually results from paralysis of the respiratory or cardiac muscles.

Pet owners who have used these products and whose pets have these symptoms should contact their veterinarian immediately.

Botulism Risk Linked to Processing Problem
Castleberry's is working with the FDA and CDC to investigate the possible botulism contamination of the recalled products.

"We believe we have isolated the issue to a situation of under-processing on one line of our production facility. As an extra precaution to the recall we announced on Wednesday, we have shut down this line altogether and are recalling all products produced on it," says Steve Mavity, Castleberry's senior vice president for technical services and quality assurance, in a Castleberry's news release.

Also See:
Understanding Food Poisoning -- the Basics
http://health.webmd.com/cgi-bin21/DM...JmB0IsZ05aB0Ej

Botulism FAQs
http://health.webmd.com/cgi-bin21/DM...JmB0IsZ05aC0Ek

15 Ways to Make Your Food Safer
http://health.webmd.com/cgi-bin21/DM...JmB0IsZ05aD0El

Food Company Recalls More Than 90 Canned Products
for People and Pets
Full List of Recalled Products

Castleberry's has recalled the following products for people:

Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030097101)
Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030099533)
Austex Beef Stew, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030090815)
Austex Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030091015)
Austex Chili With Beans, 19-ounce can (UPC 3030092519)
Austex Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030097715)
Austex Chili No Beans, 19-ounce can (UPC 3030097719)
Best Yet Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 4217841082)
Best Yet Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 4218740842)
Big Y Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 1889480424)
Big Y Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 1889480225)
Big Y Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 1889480425)
Black Rock Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001715)
Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 2543992448)
Bryan Hot Dog Chili Sauce With Beef, 10-ounce can (UPC 5340030010)
Bryan Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 5340030110)
Bryan Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 5340030200)
Bryan Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 5340030205)
Bryan Chili No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 5340035264)
Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 7526604152)
Bunker Hill Chili No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 7526604112)
Bunker Hill Spicier Chili No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 7526604224)
Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030000101)
Castleberry’s Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030007101)
Castleberry’s Brunswick Stew Chicken & Beef, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030000315)
Castleberry’s Barbecue Pork, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030000402)
Castleberry’s Barbecue Pork, 14.5-ounce can (UPC 3030000415)
Castleberry’s Barbecue Beef, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030000602)
Castleberry’s Beef Stew, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030000815)
Castleberry’s Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030000915)
Castleberry’s Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001015)
Castleberry’s Sausage Gravy, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030005130)
Castleberry’s Creamed Chip Beef Gravy, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030005150)
Castleberry’s Hot Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030007217)
Castleberry’s Chili No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030007701)
Castleberry’s Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030007715)
Castleberry’s Georgia Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030000215)
Cattle Drive Beef Stew, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001530)
Cattle Drive Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001520)
Cattle Drive Chicken Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001525)
Cattle Drive Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001515)
Firefighters Chicken Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 7372500413)
Firefighters Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 737250041)
Firefighters Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 7372500412)
Food Club Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 3680080204)
Food Club Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3680080404)
Food Club Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3680080504)
Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3582606911)
Goldstar Original Chili, 10-ounce can (UPC 2457500001)
Goldstar Chili, 15-ounce can (UPC 2457500005)
Goldstar Tex-Mex Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 2457500008)
Great Value Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 8113179994) – Canada only
Great Value Hot Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 8113179995) – Canada only
Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 1111083942)
Kroger Beef Stew, 15-ounce can (UPC 1111083928)
Kroger Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 1111083930)
Kroger Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 1111083908)
Lowes Foods Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 4164301092)
Lowes Foods Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 4164301094)
Lowes Foods Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 4164301097)
Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 4125085862)
Meijer Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 4125095220)
Meijer Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 4125095221)
Meijer Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 4125095229)
Morton House Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 7526665829)
Morton House Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 7526665830)
Morton House Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 7526665993)
Paramount Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 7526600510)
Paramount Chili for Hot Dogs, 15-ounce can (UPC 7526600526)
Paramount Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 7526600731)
Paramount Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 7526600732)
Piggly Wiggly Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 4129037252)
Piggly Wiggly Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 4129037354)
Piggly Wiggly Chili No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 4129037355)
Piggly Wiggly Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 4129037357)
Prudence Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 4114100015)
Southern Home Chili No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 3825948713)
Southern Home Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 0788015340)
Southern Home Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 0788015341)
Southern Home Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 0788015359)
Steak n Shake Chili With Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 5184400120)
Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 2114021367)
Thrifty Maid Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (2114021370)
Thrifty Maid Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (2114021375)
Triple Bar Ranch Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030005801)
Triple Bar Ranch Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030005804)
Triple Bar Ranch Chili No Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030005805)
Value Time Beef and Chicken Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 1122542159)

Castleberry's has also recalled the following products for pets:

Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew With Beef, Potatoes & Carrots, 15-ounce can (UPC 2363359860)
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out With Sauce With Vegetables and Chicken, 15-ounce can (UPC 2363359861)
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili With Chicken & Pasta,
15-ounce can (UPC 2363359863)
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings With Chicken & Vegetables, 15-ounce can (UPC 2363359862)

I guess the bad foods will never stop in this country anymore

FDA says toss food linked to botulism
By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer
Mon Jul 23, 9:43 PM ET

WASHINGTON - People should immediately throw away more than 90 different products, from chili sauce to corned beef hash to dog food, produced at a plant linked to a botulism outbreak, the government warned Monday. Castleberry's Food Company temporarily closed the suspect plant.

"You're talking tens of millions of cans that may have been involved," said Robert Brackett, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

The company has hired an outside firm to visit more than 8,500 retailers around the country in an effort to quickly get recalled products off store shelves.

So far, four cases of botulism have been reported — two from Indiana and two from Texas. All four people consumed Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original, a product made by Castleberry's.

On Saturday, Castleberry's expanded its voluntary recall of canned meat products. It specified more than 80 types of canned chili, beef stew, corned beef hash and other meat products in addition to the 10 products it had recalled Thursday. The products were sold under a multitude of brand names.

Although Castleberry is recalling everything made on the one manufacturing line, the only products linked to illness thus far are the chili sauces.

Company officials said they were working closely with the FDA and the Department of Agriculture to determine just how widespread the problem is. They could not provide information about how many of the recalled products were still on store shelves. "So that we can devote all available resources to this investigation, we agreed to shut down our entire facility in Augusta. We will not process any more food there until the FDA and the USDA agrees it is appropriate to reopen," said Dave Melbourne, senior vice president for Castleberry's. "And, we have stopped all further product distribution from our centers."

The plant is expected to be closed for about a week, he said.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by consuming foods with the botulinim toxin, a nerve toxin that can cause paralysis of the arms, breathing muscles and legs. Symptoms, such as blurred vision and slurred speech, generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food.

Typically, commercially canned foods are heated long enough and to high enough temperatures to kill the spores. Melbourne confirmed that the botulism occurred in the chili sauce because the product was undercooked. "The current tests only indicate botulism toxin for the chili products, but because other products were also canned using the same equipment, we expanded the recall to include all brands that were canned on the same line," Melbourne said.

The company has also asked consumers to dispose of any questionable goods from Castleberry's in doubled plastic bags. Consumers can get full refunds by calling the company. The company is not asking consumers to bring product labels into the grocery store so that they can get refunds.

The number of people who have so far become ill from the botulism toxin pales compared to some recent food recalls.

For example, last year's outbreak of E. coli from baby spinach resulted in 205 confirmed illnesses and three deaths. More recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 60 persons, mostly toddlers, who became ill after eating a snack food that contained a strain of Salmonella. Five people were hospitalized after eating the product, called Veggie Booty.

The symptoms associated with botulism are so severe, consumers must not take chances, officials said.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Castleberry's at 1-888-203-8446.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070724/...VZu2WHAtKs0NUE

On the Net:

Food and Drug Administration: http:http://www.fda.gov

Castleberry's Food Co.: http://www.castleberrys.com/

Food in botulism recall still being sold
By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press Writer
Sat Jul 28, 4:22 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Stores nationwide are continuing to sell recalled canned chili, stew, hash and other foods potentially contaminated with poisonous bacteria even after repeated warnings the products could kill.

Thousands of cans are being removed from store shelves as quickly as investigators find them, more than a week after Castleberry's Food Co. began recalling more than 90 potentially contaminated products over fears of botulism contamination.

The recall now covers two years' production at the company's Augusta, Ga., plant — a tally that spirals into the tens of millions of cans.

Spot checks by the Food and Drug Administration and state officials continue to turn up recalled products for sale in convenience stores, gas stations and family run groceries, from Florida to Alaska. The FDA alone has found them in roughly 250 of the more than 3,700 stores visited in nationwide checks, according to figures the agency provided to The Associated Press.

In states like North Carolina, more than one in three stores checked by state officials in recent days were still offering recalled products for sale. Officials there pulled 5,500 cans and pledged to keep searching.

"We're not going to quit. These numbers are too high," said Joe Reardon, who oversees food protection for the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Four people have been sickened and hospitalized because of the contaminated food, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials fear the tally will grow.

A Hawaii man was hospitalized with symptoms of botulism poisoning after eating canned chili that was subject to the recall, a state health official said. Tests were being conducted to confirm the cause of his illness.

California health officials were investigating whether botulism confirmed in a San Diego County woman was linked to the recall. The woman reported eating a Castleberry's product before falling sick in early July.

"Frankly, the fact we have had only four illnesses in this situation has people saying, 'Well, what is the big deal?' The deal is this is something that can land you in the ICU, not being able to breathe, for weeks," said Dr. David Acheson, the FDA's lead food safety expert, prior to Friday's disclosure of the possible cases in Hawaii and California.

FDA investigators believe Castleberry's failed to properly cook some or all the products, allowing the Clostridium botulinum bacteria to survive the canning process. In the oxygen-free and moist environment of the sealed cans, the bacteria thrive and produce a toxin that causes botulism, a muscle-paralyzing disease.

"The longer this stuff stays in the can, the worse it gets," Acheson said.

The bacteria also produce gases that can cause contaminated cans to swell and burst. Already, cans being held in a company warehouse have begun to break open. Health officials say the extremely potent toxin can infect people if it is inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the eye or breaks in the skin.

Health experts consider botulism a severe health threat but worry that word of the recall has not reached all consumers or retailers, especially mom-and-pop operations.

"It has been a problem getting the message out. We're having a problem reaching the smaller stores," said Lynae Granzow, an epidemiologist with the Indiana Department of Health.

In Massachusetts, health inspectors found recalled products in fewer than 50 small stores, mostly in the Boston area, state Department of Public Health spokeswoman Donna Rheaume said. Spot checks in Alaska, Florida, Kentucky, Montana, New York, Indiana and elsewhere also have found them on shelves.

Castleberry's has hired a company to collect the recalled products from stores. It has posted a complete list of the recalled products, including some dog foods, on its Web site — http://www.castleberrys.com/

People who have any of the recalled products at home should double-bag and throw them away, the FDA recommends.

Castleberry's is owned by Bumble Bee Seafoods LLC, based in San Diego.

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On the Net:

FDA botulism information: http://tinyurl.com/324exf