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FDA
warns consumers not to use certain jars of Earth's Best Organic 2
Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby food
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[February 20, 2007]
ROCKVILLE,
Md. -- The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use certain jars of
Earth's Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby
food because of the risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum,
a bacterium which can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness or
death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does
not look or smell spoiled.
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The affected product was sold in
single individual jars and in variety packs (which contains 4 jars
of the apple peach barley in the pack along with other varieties).
The food is part of the firm's "2nd Vegetables, Fruits and Blends"
line intended for babies 6 months and older. The food was
distributed through retail stores and sold through the Earth's Best
website. If consumers have any of the specified jars in their home,
they should not use it and destroy it immediately. No illnesses have
been reported to FDA or the manufacturer to date in connection with
this problem. The affected baby food is as listed in the
chart below.
Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, usually
causes illness within 18-36 hours of exposure.
Initial indication of illness in infants is decreased frequency
or absence of stools. Other signs and symptoms noted are poor
feeding, weak suck, lethargy, listlessness, weak cry, decreased body
tone, and diminished overall movement. Difficulty with swallowing
may be evident as secretions drooling from the mouth. This may be
followed by decreased respiratory effort which may lead to
respiratory arrest from airway occlusion from unswallowed
secretions.
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Older populations who may be consuming the product as part of a
pureed diet might experience symptoms such as blurred vision,
dizziness, dry mouth, and progressive weakness from head to legs.
Constipation and urinary retention are also common. Caregivers or
people observing these problems should seek immediate medical
attention for those affected.
Hain Celestial Group initiated a recall of the food on February
9th. The recall is ongoing. Production and distribution of the
product has been suspended as FDA and the company work to determine
the source of the problem. Hain Celestial Group distributed 4,072
cases of the specified individual jars consisting of 24 jars per
case and 38,298 variety packs with the specified jars.
Consumers who have questions should contact Hain Celestial Group
at 1-800-434-4246.
(Text copied
from U.S. Food and Drug Administration
news release)
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