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July 25, 2007
A nationwide recall of certain canned human food and dog food products manufactured by Castleberry Food Company of Augusta, Georgia was announced on July 18, 2007 and expanded on July 21, 2007. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are warning consumers not to open or eat canned products identified as part of the recall or to feed any of the canned products to their pets. These products may contain hazardous botulinum toxin. Botulism can be fatal. Human illnesses have been associated with two of the recalled human food products
FDA and USDA are currently asking retailers and foodservice operations to respond immediately to remove and secure recalled products, making sure that all recalled products are not inadvertently made available for purchase, salvage or donation and therefore preventing any possibility for human or animal consumption. Castleberry Food Company has established a plan for recalling its affected products. 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 below.
All recalled products should be removed from store shelves and separated from other stock immediately. If possible, use additional safeguards, such as locking out the UPC codes at check-out, to ensure these products are not sold to consumers and cashiers informed of the hazard and cautioned not to override the lockout.
Removed recalled products should be kept in a secure area and identified with signs that have bold, clear lettering indicating that the products pose an extreme health hazard. Removed recalled products need to be clearly marked to prevent restocking, re-entry into commerce (including donation to food or pet food banks), or diversion to food or pet food salvage operations. Consider shrink wrapping recalled products to ensure they do not accidentally find their way back into commerce.
Recalled products should be isolated from other stock, secured and tagged for pick-up or disposal as directed by Castleberry or their designee. Do not puncture or otherwise open cans prior to disposal. Disposal must be done in accordance with State and local regulations and ordinances and in a manner that will prevent diversion of the recalled products. Recalled products should not be disposed of by placing them in unsecured garbage cans, dumpsters or other receptacles in a manner that could result in subsequent removal by individuals for their own use or for sale to others.
Particular care should be used when handling and disposing of cans that show signs of swelling or leakage to prevent any human exposure to the contents of the cans.
Opened containers of the recalled products or any foods made with the recalled products should be discarded with extreme care. An open container of a food included in this recall should be disposed of as follows:
Do not discard any of the recalled food in a sink, garbage disposal or toilet.
Wear rubber gloves when handling open containers of suspect food. Wash hands thoroughly after handling suspect food or containers. Take care to avoid splashing or inhaling food when discarding it. Avoid contact with the skin or eyes. Sponges, cloths, rags and gloves that may have come into contact with contaminated food or containers should be discarded with the food.
Specific instructions for handling non-disposable containers and surfaces that may have come in contact with the food are provided at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Clostridium botulinum - Questions and Answers <http://www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm> web page.
Employees should be informed of the hazard associated with the recalled products. Signs should be posted on removed recalled products to inform employees on all shifts that the product is hazardous and being held for disposal.
Store employees should alert consumers to the recall and the serious health hazard associated with exposure to the toxin. Consider posting signs on shelves and elsewhere in the store, and using other means of shopper notification to warn consumers not to open, taste or eat the recalled products. Inform consumers that any recalled products in their homes should be discarded carefully. More information for consumers is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Clostridium botulinum - Questions and Answers <http://www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm> website.
Distribution centers and retail food stores may be visited by Federal, state or local officials conducting checks to determine the extent to which recalled product is being taken out of circulation. These officials will ask questions about the recall notification received, actions taken as a result of the notification, and status of recalled product in your establishment.
Castleberry Food Company recommends that consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall visit the company's website (www.castleberrys.com) or call its consumer hotline at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446.
Consumers and others with questions can also call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).
Additional information is available at:
FDA - FDA Expands Its Nationwide Warning About the Risk of Botulism Poisoning From Certain Castleberry's Food Products and Dog Food (July 21, 2007)
<http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01670.html>
FSIS - Georgia Firm Expands Recall of Canned Meat Products That May Contain Clostridium botulinum (July 21, 2007)
<http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp>
FDA - Chili Products (Botulism) Recall
<http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html>
For a complete list of canned products with all 'best by' dates and UPC codes of interest, see Recalled Products. <http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html#recall>
