July 23, 2007

US meat packer widens product recall on botulism scare

A meat processor from the US state of Georgia has recalled canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum.

Castleberry's Food Company, Augusta, Georgia, owned by Bumble Bee Foods LLC, is voluntarily withdrawing approximately 721,389 pounds of canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum due to equipment malfunction, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The following products are subject to recall:

• 10-ounce cans of "Castleberry's Bunker Hill, Original Chili No Beans." Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 195" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a "best by" date of "5/22/2009."
   
• 15-ounce cans of "Castleberry's Chili with Beans." Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 195" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a "best by" date of "5/17/2009."
   
• 10-ounce cans of "Castleberry's Hickory Smoked, Oven Roasted, with Skins, Barbecue Pork in Barbecue Sauce." Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 195" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a "best by" date of "5/17/2009."
   
• 15-ounce cans of "Cattle Drive Chili with Beans." Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 195" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a "best by" date of "4/30/2009," "5/10/2009" or "5/21/2009."
   
• 15-ounce cans of "Meijer Corned Beef Hash." Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 195" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped a "best by" date of "5/3/2009."
   
• 15-ounce cans of "Morton House Corned Beef Hash." Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 195" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a "best by" date of "5/3/2009."
   
• 15-ounce cans of "Southern Home Corned Beef Hash." Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 195" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a "best by" date of "5/3/2009."

The products were produced between April 30 and May 22, 2007 and were distributed to retail establishments in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The equipment malfunction problem was discovered during an investigation into illnesses in Indiana and Texas. The investigation led to a recall by the Food and Drug Administration of three types of meatless hotdog chili sauce. To date, there have been no reports of illness from consumption of the products listed.

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin. Symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. The illness can cause paralysis, respiratory failure and death with symptoms that occur from 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.