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WVDA WARNS OF RECALLED PRODUCTS BEING FOUND ON STORE SHELVES
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is again warning consumers and retailers about a voluntary recall of chili, meat products and pet foods manufactured by Castleberry’s of Atlanta, Ga., that may be contaminated with botulinum toxin.
”Inspectors from the Department’s Regulatory and Environmental Affairs Division (READ) are finding a significant amount of the recalled products still on store shelves,” said Commissioner Douglass, who added that the finds were likely the result of the continuing expansion of the recall, and not an unwillingness of retailers to pull the products.
“We have had similar recalls in the past, and it’s a rare case when we find recalled products still on store shelves,” he said.
Herma Johnson, READ Division Director, said recalled products have been found in the Charleston and Morgantown areas, as well as the Eastern Panhandle.
“Most of the instances where product has been found is due to store operators being unaware of the expanded recall; they’ve only removed products from the initial recall,” Johnson said.
West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) inspectors had visited 50-plus stores as of Thursday evening, she added. They will continue to advise store operators of the current status of the recall as they make their normal inspections. Regular activities include inspecting eggs for grade and size, date checks on meat, ensuring proper cooler temperatures, and pulling dairy samples for coliform bacteria and butterfat content analysis.
The most up-to-date information on the recall can be found on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website at www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html. Additional products regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have also been recalled by the company. The list of these products can be viewed at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp.
The recall involves a wide variety of hot dog chili under the brands Castleberry’s, Austex, Kroger, Meijer, Food Lion, Bloom and Thrifty Maid, and Natural Balance dog foods. It also includes a wide variety of meat and chili products carrying the brand names of Austex, Best Yet, Big Y, Black Rock, Bryan, Bunker Hill, Cattle Drive, Firefighter, Food Club, Georgia, Gold Star, Great Value, Kroger, Lowe’s, Meijer, Morton House, Paramount, Piggly-Wiggly, Prudence, Southern Home, Steak N Shake, Thrifty Maid, Triple Bar and Value Time.
Anyone with any of these products, regardless of date codes, should visit the FDA website to verify if their products are part of the recall, call Castleberry’s consumer hotlines at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446, or call the FDA’s hotline at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
While the previous recall and the known illnesses are linked to “best by” dates of April 30 to May 22, 2009, Castleberry’s 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.
Consumers who have any of the recalled 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. Particular care should be used when handling and disposing of cans that show signs of swelling or leakage to prevent any exposure to the contents.
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. Do not puncture cans or open them in any way for disposal as this will create a potential health hazard.
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.
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 and death. 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. 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.
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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