Botulism Risk from Castleberry Foods and Dog Food (Updated)
En Español
FDA is expanding its July 18 warning to people not to eat the contents of certain cans of chili sauce due to the risk of botulism, based on test results conducted during inspection of the facility.
The expansion is for consumers and pet owners regarding canned food products and dog food made by Castleberry's Food Company of Augusta, Ga.
Castleberry's is expanding the recall to include additional canned products with all "best by" and code dates. FDA is warning people not to purchase or eat any of the following:
10-ounce canned chili sauce products
- Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #30300-00101)
- Castleberry's Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #30300-99533)
- Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #11110-83942)
- Castleberry's Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #75266-04152)
- Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #41250-85862)
- Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #35826-06911)
- Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #25439-92448)
- Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #21140-21367)
- Castleberry's Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #30300-07101)
- Castleberry's Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC #30300-97101)
15-ounce canned Natural Balance Eatables dog food varieties
- Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food (UPC #23633-59860)
- Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food (UPC #23633-59861)
- Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Chicken and Vegetables (UPC #23633-59862)
- Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food (UPC #23633-59863)
The firm has extended the recall to include all products listed, regardless of "best by" dates, which can be found on can lids.
In addition to the above listed FDA-regulated products, Castleberry's is recalling other products containing meat, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
USDA is warning people not to eat certain brands of Castleberry's products containing meat. The list of these products can be seen at USDA's Web site: www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp .
Botulism can be fatal. Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized.
Symptoms of Botulism in People
- Can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating affected food
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc.
- Paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.
Symptoms of Botulism in Animals
- Can begin from 2 hours to 2 weeks; in most cases, after 12 to 24 hours
- Progressive motor paralysis
- Muscle paralysis
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Visual disturbances
- Generalized weakness
- Paralysis of the respiratory or cardiac muscles can cause death
What Consumers Should Do
- Throw away immediately any of these products or any foods made with these products.
- Throw away any of these products whose "best by" dates are missing or are unreadable.
- Double bag cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside the home.
- For additional instructions visit: www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm .
- Seek immediate medical attention if you show any signs of the above symptoms of botulism and if you have recently eaten any of the above-named chili sauce products.
- Contact your veterinarian immediately, if your pet shows symptoms of botulism.
- Call FDA at 1-888-723-3366 (1-888-SAFEFOOD), with questions.
- Visit Castleberry's Web site at www.castleberrys.com or call Castleberry's Consumer Hotline at 1-888-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446 with questions.
What's Being Done
Castleberry Food Company in Augusta, Georgia, the manufacturer, is voluntarily recalling all of the potentially contaminated products and is cooperating with FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USDA, and the states' active investigations into the cause of this contamination.
FDA will provide regular updates as more information becomes available.
For more information, including a complete list of recalled products, visit www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html
Date Posted: July 19, 2007
Updated July 24, 2007
