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COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE WARNS OF BOTULISM-RELATED RECALL
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is warning West Virginia consumers of a recall of hot dog chili and other products due to fears of botulism contamination.
Castleberry's Food Company announced that it is voluntarily recalling the following products: Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030000101), 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 (UPC 7526665830), 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 (UPC 4125095229), Castleberry's Chili with Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001015), Castleberry's Barbecue Pork, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030000402) and Bunker Hill Chili No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 7526604112). For a more detailed recall list or updates to the recall, go to Castleberry's website (http://www.castleberrys.com).
This recall only affects the products listed above with a "best by" date of APR30 2009 through MAY22 2009. The "best by" date can be found either on the top or bottom of the can. Consumers who have any of these products should discard them. Consumers should not use these products even if they do not look or smell spoiled. Consumers may return the label to the location where the product was purchased for a full refund.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning 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, dry mouth, 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 consumed the products listed above should seek immediate medical attention.
Castleberry's is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate possible contamination of these products with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness. Botulism can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.
Castleberry's was notified by the FDA of four potential cases of botulism involving individuals who ate these products. Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized.
Consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall should go to Castleberry's website (http://www.castleberrys.com) or call Castleberry's consumer hotline at 1-888-203-8446. Consumers can call the FDA at 1-888-723-3366.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
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