[StBernard] Risk of Botulism Poisoning - Chili Products sold Nationally

[Westley Annis]

Risk of Botulism Poisoning - Chili Products sold Nationally 
 


  


Affected units were sold nationally and consumers in all parts of the
country should check the label and "Best By" date on the bottom of the cans.


Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became
seriously ill and have been hospitalized.  Consumers who have any of these
products or any foods made with these products should not eat them and throw
them away immediately.  List of products from The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration...

    10 ounce cans of Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce  (UPC 3030000101)

    Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030099533)

    Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce   (UPC 1111083942)

with "best by" dates from April 30, 2009 through May 22, 2009 due to
possible botulism contamination.  If the "best by" date is missing or
unreadable consumers should throw the product out. The "best by dates" can
be found on the can lids. UPC is the bar code number which should appear on
a product label.

Botulism can be fatal.

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 eaten
Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, or Kroger Hot
Dog Chili Sauce should seek immediate medical attention. 

All of the above products are manufactured by the Castleberry Food Company
in Augusta, Georgia. 

Castleberry has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all of the
potentially contaminated products and is cooperating with FDA, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the states' active
investigations into the cause of this contamination and scope of the
products' distribution. 

FDA will provide updates as more information becomes available. Consumers
can call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.