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Four cases of botulism have been
reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with two
from Indiana and two from Texas. The onset of illness ranges from
June 29 to July 9. All four people were reported to have consumed
Castleberry's brand Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original. Botulinum toxin
was identified in leftover chili sauce collected from a patient's
refrigerator. (The recall has been expanded to include products
listed below.)
"To date there are no cases in Illinois of anyone becoming sick
from botulism after eating these canned goods, but an investigation
is ongoing," Whitaker said. "But anyone who thinks they may have
experienced symptoms of illness after eating these products is urged
to contact their health care provider."
The Illinois Department of Public Health has sent a health
advisory to local health departments, hospitals and other health
care professionals alerting them of the severity of this illness and
the seriousness of the outbreak.
Signs and symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred
vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry
mouth and muscle weakness. If untreated, the illness may progress
from head to toe, with paralysis of the face, arms, breathing
muscles, trunk and legs. Paralysis of the breathing muscles can lead
to death unless prompt medical care is sought. Symptoms generally
begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food but can occur
as early as six hours or as late as 10 days.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health was notified Thursday
that the recall has been expanded to include all of the following
products:
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Castleberry's Hot
Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC3030000101)
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Austex Hot Dog
Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030099533)
-
Kroger Hot Dog
Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 1111083942)
-
Morton House Corned
Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC7526665830)
-
Cattle Drive Chili
with Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001515)
-
Southern Home
Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 0788015360)
-
Meijer Corned Beef
Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC4125095229)
-
Castleberry's Chili
with Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001015)
-
Castleberry's
Barbecue Pork, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030000402)
-
Bunker Hill Chili
No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC7526604112)
This recall only affects the products listed above with a "best
by" date of April 30, 2009, through May 22, 2009. The "best by
dates" can be found on the can lids. Consumers who have any of these
products, or any foods made with these products, should throw them
away immediately. If the "best by" date is missing or unreadable,
consumers should throw the product out.
Anyone who suspects a case of botulism is asked to notify their
local health department as soon as possible.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health news release received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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