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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) is warning consumers not to eat certain brands of French Cut
Green Beans in 14.5 ounce cans manufactured by Lakeside Foods Inc,
of Manitowoc, Wisconsin because the product may not have been
processed adequately to eliminate the potential for botulism toxin.
This warning is not related to another recent warning for botulism.
The canned green beans may cause
botulism if consumed. FDA is providing this warning to make
consumers aware of the possible risk of serious illness from eating
these products. As of August 1, 2007, FDA had not received reports
of illnesses related to the product.
The botulism toxin is very potent,
and botulism is a life-threatening illness. Symptoms of botulism can
begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains
the toxin. The 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, and calves. Botulism also may 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 the product
should seek immediate medical attention.
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 The affected Lakeside cut green
beans are sold nationwide under the following labels: Albertson's,
Happy Harvest, Best Choice, Food Club, Bogopa, Valu Time, Hill
Country Fare, HEB, Laura Lynn, Kroger, No Name, North Pride, Shop N
Save, Shoppers Valu, Schnucks, Cub Foods, Dierbergs, Flavorite, IGA,
Best Choice and Thrifty Maid. The specific codes (top line of can
code) involved are: EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247,
EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217,
ECB5227, ECB5307.
Consumers who have any of these
products or any foods made with these products should dispose of
them immediately. If the code on an affected can is missing or
unreadable, consumers should throw the product out.
Lakeside Foods has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all
of the potentially contaminated products.
Lakeside Foods recommends that
consumers with any questions or concerns about the recall should
call the company at 800-466-3834 ext. 4090.
[Text copied
from U.S. Food and Drug Administration
news release] |
