FDA Expands Castleberry’s Food Warning about Botulism

July 23, 2007 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today revised its warning to consumers about possible botulism contamination in meat products canned by Castleberry’s Food Company to include more products in the recall, including dog foods. The number of products being recalled has reached 90, including some dog foods.

All recalled Castleberry’s products here from combining FDA, USDA and company recalls

July 25, 2007

More Canned Meat Products Added to Botulism Alert by Castleberry’s Food

USDA says it’s a CLASS I RECALL - HIGH HEALTH RISK; CDC joins investigation

July 23, 2007

Senior Citizens, Others Warned of Botulism Risk in Hot Dog Chili Sauce

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While the previous recall and the known illnesses are linked to "best by" dates of April 30 to May 22, 2009, 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.

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.

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 is below or can be viewed at this link to the USDA website: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp

FDA Recalls
Hot Dog Chili Sauces	SIZE	UPC CODES
Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	30300-97101
Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	30300-99533
Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	30300-00101
Castleberry's Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	30300-07101
Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	75266-04152
Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	11110-83942
Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	41250-85862
Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	35826-06911
Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	25439-92448
Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	21140-21367
Natural Balance Eatables dog food varieties:
Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food	15 OZ	23633-59860
Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food	15 OZ	23633-59861
Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Chicken and Vegetables Dog Food	15 OZ	23633-59862
Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food	15 OZ	23633-59863

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

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.

About Botulism

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.

About Pet Food Recall

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.

List of recalls from USDA site

Castleberry's has agreed to recall all of the following products that may still be in commerce, regardless of the "best buy" date stamped on the bottom of the can. Consumers who have any of the products listed are urged not to eat them, but rather return or dispose of them.

12-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Austex Beef Stew.
15- and 19-ounce cans of	Austex Chili with Beans.
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Austex Chili No Beans.
12-pack of 19-ounce cans of	Austex Chili No Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Best Yet Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Best Yet Corned Beef Hash.
15-ounce cans of	Big Y Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Big Y Chili no Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Big Y Corned Beef Hash.
15-ounce cans of	Black Rock Chili with Beans.
24-pack of 10-ounce cans of	Bryan Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
24-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Bryan Corned Beef Hash.
24-pack of 10-ounce cans of	Bryan Chili No Beans.
24-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Bryan Chili No Beans.
24-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Bryan Chili with Beans.
10-ounce cans of	Bunker Hill Chili no Beans.
10-ounce cans of	Bunker Hill Chunky Chili no Beans.
10-ounce cans of	Castle Chili No Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Castleberry's Beef Stew.
15-ounce cans of	Castleberry's Brunswick Stew.
10-ounce cans of	Castleberry's BUNKER HILL, ORIGINAL Chili NO BEANS.
15-ounce cans of	Castleberry's CHILI WITH BEANS.
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Castleberry's Chili No Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Castleberry's Corned Beef Hash.
10-ounce cans of	Castleberry's Hickory Smoked, Oven Roasted, With Skins, Barbecue Pork In Barbecue Sauce.
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Castleberry's Hot Chili with Beans.
10- and 14.5-ounce cans of	Castleberry's BBQ Pork.
10-ounce cans of	Castleberry's Sausage Gravy.
10-ounce cans of	Castleberry's Chip Beef Gravy.
15-ounce cans of	Cattle Drive Beef Stew.
15-ounce cans of	Cattle Drive Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Cattle Drive Chili no Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Cattle Drive CHILI WITH BEANS.
8-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Cattle Drive Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Cattle Drive Chicken Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Firefighter Chicken Chili.
15-ounce cans of	Firefighter Chicken Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Firefighter Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Firefighter Chili no Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Food Club Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Food Club Corned Beef Hash.
15-ounce cans of	Georgia Hash.
10- and 15-ounce cans of	Goldstar Chili.
15-ounce cans of	Goldstar Tex Mex Chili.
15-ounce cans of	Great Value Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Great Value Hot Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Kroger Beef Stew.
15-ounce cans of	Kroger Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Kroger Chili no Bean.
15-ounce cans of	Lowes Chili no Bean.
15-ounce cans of	Lowes Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Lowes Corn Beef Hash.
15-ounce cans of	Meijer Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Meijer Chili no Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Meijer CORNED BEEF HASH.
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Morton House Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Morton House Corned Beef Hash.
10- and 15-ounce cans of	Paramount Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
15-ounce cans of	Paramount Chili no Bean.
15-ounce cans of	Paramount Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Piggly Wiggly Chili with Beans.
10- and 15-ounce cans of	Piggly Wiggly Chili no Bean.
15-ounce cans of	Piggly Wiggly Corned Beef Hash.
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Prudence Corned Beef Hash.
15-ounce cans of	Southern Home Chili with Beans.
10- and 15-ounce cans of	Southern Home Chili no Bean.
15-ounce cans of	Southern Home Corned Beef Hash.
10-ounce cans of	Steak N Shake Chili.
15-ounce cans of	Thrifty Maid Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Thrifty Maid Corned Beef Hash.
15-ounce cans of	Triple Bar Chili with Beans.
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Triple Bar Chili with Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Triple Bar Chili no Beans.
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of	Triple Bar Chili no Beans.
15-ounce cans of	Value Time Chili with Beans.

>> Detailed report by FDA

>> Report on FDA pet food recalls

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