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FDA and USDA have jointly developed and posted recommendations for retail and food-service operators for handling and disposing of canned food products under recall by Castleberry's Food Company of Augusta, Georgia, because of the threat of botulism (FDA Expands Its Nationwide Warning About the Risk of Botulism Poisoning From Certain Castleberry's Food Products and Dog Food). The nationwide recall was announced on July 18, 2007, and expanded on July 21, 2007. The products subject to the recall may contain hazardous botulinum toxin; botulism can be fatal. To date, four human illnesses have been associated with two of the recalled products.
FDA and USDA are asking retail and food-service operators to immediately remove and secure recalled products, and to take necessary steps to ensure that recalled product is not inadvertently made available for purchase, salvage or donation. Castleberry's Food Company has established a plan for recalling its affected products and is actively engaged in recall activities. Retailers should follow the instructions received from the company or its distribution centers for removing, marking and securing the products.
Further suggestions for the proper removal of recalled products from further circulation and disposal of recalled products are provided in the new FDA and USDA recommendations.