The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding its
July
18 warning to consumers. This expansion is for consumers and pet
owners regarding canned food products and dog food produced by
Castleberry's Food Company of Augusta, Ga., due to the risk of
botulinum toxin. Castleberry's is expanding the recall to include
all of the following canned products with all "best by" and code
dates, and FDA 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.
Exposure to botulinum toxin can be
fatal and two people in Texas and two people in Indiana remain
seriously ill and hospitalized with botulism poisoning associated
with eating Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
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.
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
the USDA website:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
News_&_Events/
Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp.
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. Additional instructions for safe disposal
can be found at
www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm.
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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.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning in
humans 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, 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 one of the
Castleberry’s products currently under recall should seek immediate
medical attention.
The disease has only been seen
occasionally in dogs and has not been reported in cats. Ferrets are
highly susceptible to botulinum toxin. The incubation period can be
2 hours to 2 weeks; in most cases, the symptoms appear after 12 to
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 may also occur. 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. At this time we are not
aware of pet illnesses associated with these products although we
recommend that all these products should be discarded.
Castleberry's recommends consumers
with any questions or concerns about this recall should go to
Castleberry’s website (www.castleberrys.com)
or call Castleberry’s consumer hotline at 1-800-203-4412 or
1-888-203-8446.
Consumers with questions can call
FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
[Text copied
from U.S. Food and Drug Administration
news release] |