Foods recalled for botulism, listeria contamination

Seoul Shik Poom, a Hillside, New Jersey, company, recalled frozen, salted, and dried yellow croaker products for potential contamination with clostridium botulinum, the pathogen that causes botulism poisoning, late last week.  Products recalled include:

  • BG1103 Salted Yellow Croaker (bag) 2.2 lbs
  • BG1121B Dried Yellow Croaker (bag) 4.5 lbs
  • BG1121 Dried Yellow Croaker (bag) 2.2 lbs
  • BG1122B Dried Yellow Croaker (bag) 4.5 lbs
  • BG1124 Yellow Croaker (bulk box) 29.73 lbs
  • BG1124A Yellow Croaker (bulk box) 31.6 lbs
  • BG1123 Yellow Croaker (bulk box) 30.83 lbs
According to the Press of Atlantic City, the yellow croaker products were packaged in clear plastic bags that were individually tied. They were distributed in retail stores in New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. Routine testing revealed the potential for contamination, and no illnesses have been reported in connection with these products.

In a separate recall, Ca Rem #1 Ice Cream, a SeaTac, Washington, business, recalled coconut-flavored popsicles for potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination after sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture resulted in a positive test for Listeria. No illnesses associated with the consumption of these products have been identified. According to a report at KIRO TV.com:

The Ca Rem #1 popsicle is sold in 3-ounce un-coded plastic bags, primarily in Asian food markets and restaurants in western Washington and western Oregon.

Consumers who have purchased Ca Rem #1 popsicles should throw out the product and not eat it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 206-720-1887.

Pennsylvania woman hospitalized with botulism

Schumacher's Inn in Pennsylvania recalled its canned soups earlier this month after botulism spores were identified in a sample of the soup tested by public health officials, and a woman became ill with botulism poisoning.  The woman was hospitalized on December 19; health officials have not issued an update on her condition.

botulism found in soupFoodborne botulism is a severe type of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of foods containing the potent neurotoxin formed during growth of the organism. The incidence of botulism is low, but the disease is of considerable concern because of its high mortality rate if not treated immediately and properly. Most of the 10 to 30 outbreaks that are reported annually in the United States are associated with inadequately processed, home-canned foods, but occasionally commercially produced foods are implicated as the source of outbreaks. Sausages, meat products, canned vegetables, and seafood products have been the most frequent vehicles for foodborne botulism.

Symptoms of Botulism

Classic symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone. These are all symptoms of the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. If untreated, these symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk, and respiratory muscles. In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated food, but they can occur as early as 6 hours or as late as 10 days after consumption.

Botulinum toxin causes flaccid paralysis by blocking motor nerve terminals at the myoneural junction. The flaccid paralysis progresses symmetrically downward, usually starting with the eyes and face, then moving to the throat, chest, and extremities. When the diaphragm and chest muscles become fully involved, respiration is inhibited and unless the patient receives treatment in time, death from asphyxia results.

Pennsylvania: Botulism found in canned soup

soup botulismThe Pennsylvania Department of Health issued a warning to consumers who purchased canned soup and other products from Schumacher's Inn, located in Austin, Pennsylvania, to throw the product out after one of the cans tested positive for Clostridium Botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism poisoning. 

Consumers who obtained canned products from the restaurant should immediately contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health, toll-free, at 877-PA-HEALTH.

The state became involved after a 43-year-old Potter County woman, and some of the chicken soup she said she purchased from the restaurant, tested positive for botulism.

The Department of Agriculture, which oversees food safety, has quarantined the product and ordered the restaurant not to sell or give away any canned product. Any soup or other products canned by this restaurant should be submitted to the state for testing.

Read the entire health warning here.

Botulism found in green beans

green beansThe discovery that 1,026 cans of green beens were possibly contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism, resulted in a recall of the product last week.  The Food and Drug Administration issued a notice to consumers, which was subsequently distributed through the media.  According to MSNBC:

New Era Canning Company said it was recalling 171 cases of GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans with the lot code 19H7FL. Each case contained six cans in 6-pound, 5-ounce sizes.

The canned green beans were distributed to foodservice customers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, a company statement said. They were sold through GFS Marketplace stores in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Florida: Botulism risk from canned products

botulismFlorida residents have been urged to throw out Gourmet de Lyon food products sold at Green Market locations due to the possible risk for botulism.  As reported on WBPF TV:

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said the products were found at two Green Market locations in the county. They were only sold at the West Palm Beach Green Market at Narcissus and 2nd Street in West Palm Beach and at the Palm Beach Gardens Green Market at 10500 North Military Trail in Garden Park.

Bronson said the products, which were discovered over the weekend by food safety inspectors, are manufactured by Gourmet de Lyon, a company that produces the food products from a kitchen in a Delray Beach restaurant that has no permit to produce or sell canned products or those sold in jars.

About Botulism:

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum is the name of a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. The bacteria are anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming rods that produce a potent neurotoxin. These rod-shaped organisms grow best in low oxygen conditions. The bacteria form spores that allow them to survive in a dormant state until exposed to conditions that can support their growth. The organism and its spores are widely distributed in nature. They occur in both cultivated and forest soils, bottom sediment of streams, lakes, and coastal waters, in the intestinal tracts of fish and mammals, and in the gills and viscera of crabs and other shellfish.

Foodborne botulism is a severe type of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of foods containing the potent neurotoxin formed during growth of the organism. The incidence of the disease is low, but the disease is of considerable concern because of its high mortality rate if not treated immediately and properly. Most of the 10 to 30 outbreaks that are reported annually in the United States are associated with inadequately processed, home-canned foods, but occasionally commercially produced foods are implicated as the source of outbreaks. Sausages, meat products, canned vegetables, and seafood products have been the most frequent vehicles for foodborne botulism.

News of the day: E. coli, Salmonella, and Botulism

E. coli, Salmonella, and botulism were all featured in the news today:

In Hutchinson, Kansas, the Hutchinson News reported that a five-year-old girl from Sterling, Kansas, has been put on dialysis.  She became ill with an E. coli infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome.  She is in critical condition after 18 days in the hospital.  As reported by the Hutchinson News:

Aubrey Anderson, 5, continued to undergo daily dialysis treatments lasting three to five hours each at Wesley Medical Center, said her father, Bill Anderson, who is principal of Sterling High School.

"Aubrey's hemoglobin was down a little today, which is not good," Anderson said in an e-mail. "Her platelets, however, have reached a 'normal' level and the doctor feels that they will not decrease again, and that is encouraging. Her toxicity level is down from yesterday, but they would like to see it come down farther."

In Omaha, Nebraska, the Omaha World Herald reported that ConAgra has resumed the production of Banquet and private label pot pies - one of two ConAgra products identified earlier this year as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak.  According to the World Herald:

ConAgra Foods Inc. said Wednesday that it had enhanced its food safety procedures and resumed making frozen Banquet and private-label pot pies, which the company recalled last month after they were linked to salmonella illnesses.

The company said it would ship the pot pies to stores beginning in December, and they should be back on store shelves as soon as January.

And in Roanoke, Virginia, a relative of a doctor who passed away this week - allegedly of botulism poisoning - spoke with the Roanoke Times.  While testing has not been completed, the relative stated that health authorities are investigating the possibility that the doctor's death was caused by botulism.

Kwang Kim, the doctor’s younger brother, said the family is still awaiting laboratory results to confirm the death was caused by botulism. They expect those results Thursday, he said.

Kwang Kim said the state health department approached the family last week about the doctor’s illness. Dr. Kim’s husband, George Makarie, is also ill and was still hospitalized Wednesday morning, Kwang Kim said. He said he doesn’t know if Makarie’s illness is also related to botulism.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 76 million foodborne illness cases occur in the United States every year. This amounts to one in four Americans becoming ill after eating foods contaminated with such pathogens as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Hepatitis A, Campylobacter, Shigella, Norovirus, and Listeria.

On an annual basis, approximately 325,000 people are hospitalized with a diagnosis of food poisoning, and 5,000 die. The annual dollar costs of foodborne illnesses—in terms of medical expenses and lost wages and productivity—range from $6.5 to $34.9 billion.

Botulism reported in Virginia

The Roanoke Times reported that Virginia health officials are investigating two cases of botulism.  So far, the Virginia Department of Health investigation into the cases has shown that home-canned food was the source of the botulism.  As reported by the Times:

The cases, which surfaced last week, occurred in one household and are related to home-canned food not in wide or commercial circulation, said Robert Parker, the department's regional spokesman. He declined to say if either case was fatal.

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum is the name of a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. The bacteria are anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming rods that produce a potent neurotoxin. These rod-shaped organisms grow best in low oxygen conditions. The bacteria form spores that allow them to survive in a dormant state until exposed to conditions that can support their growth. The organism and its spores are widely distributed in nature. They occur in both cultivated and forest soils, bottom sediment of streams, lakes, and coastal waters, in the intestinal tracts of fish and mammals, and in the gills and viscera of crabs and other shellfish.

Foodborne botulism is a severe type of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of foods containing the potent neurotoxin formed during growth of the organism. The incidence of the disease is low, but the disease is of considerable concern because of its high mortality rate if not treated immediately and properly. Most of the 10 to 30 outbreaks that are reported annually in the United States are associated with inadequately processed, home-canned foods, but occasionally commercially produced foods are implicated as the source of outbreaks. Sausages, meat products, canned vegetables, and seafood products have been the most frequent vehicles for foodborne botulism.

Castleberry's botulism outbreak update

Chili botulismNews Radio 1420 out of Lubbock, Texas, reported last week that Marissa Cisneros, a young victim of the botulism outbreak traced to Castleberry's chili products, may be returning to school soon. 

Last July, Castleberry's recalled canned meat products that were distributed nationwide, with the exception of Great Value chili products which were exported only to Canada, after two children in Texas and Indiana residents were confirmed ill with botulism after eating the company's canned chili products.  A public health investigation led to a recall of three types of meatless hotdog chili sauce, which was expanded to include all meatless products produced at the Castleberry Georgia plant that might still be in commerce.  The recall was further expanded to include products containing meat.  The USDA press release with pertinent information is found here.

As reported by Newsradio 1420's James Clark:

Cisneros and her older brother were the first cases of poisoning that led to a nationwide recall of Castleberry Chili and subsequently other Castleberry products. They ate contaminated Chili on June 28th. Her brother was hospitalized for about a month. But the young Ms. Cisneros was hospitalized clear up until mid September, which included time in Covenant and then later rehab in Dallas.

The botulism poisoned her diaphragm so she could not breathe. She was on a ventilator machine for well more than a month. She had to learn how to walk all over again. Needless to say the botulism could have killed her.

Classic symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone. These are all symptoms of the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. If untreated, these symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk, and respiratory muscles. In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated food, but they can occur as early as 6 hours or as late as 10 days after consumption.

Botulinum toxin causes flaccid paralysis by blocking motor nerve terminals at the myoneural junction. The flaccid paralysis progresses symmetrically downward, usually starting with the eyes and face, then moving to the throat, chest, and extremities. When the diaphragm and chest muscles become fully involved, respiration is inhibited and unless the patient receives treatment in time, death from asphyxia results.

If diagnosed early, foodborne botulism can be treated with an antitoxin that blocks the action of toxin circulating in the blood. This can prevent patients from worsening, but recovery still takes many weeks. Physicians may try to remove contaminated food still in the gut by inducing vomiting or using enemas.

While botulism has been known to cause death due to respiratory failure, in the past 50 years the proportion of patients with botulism who die has fallen from about 50% to 8%. The respiratory failure and paralysis that occur with severe botulism may require a patient to be on a ventilator for weeks, plus intensive medical and nursing care. After several weeks, the paralysis slowly improves.

New Mexico man died of botulism

The New Mexico man who fell ill with Botulism after reportedly eating canned Castleberry's chili products earlier this year has died.  The man, who was 52, has not been confirmed as part of the Botulism outbreak traced to consumption of Castleberry's products, according to a New Mexico Environment Department spokeswoman, who renewed a warning to consumers that contaminated Castleberry's products may still be in their pantries.  As reported by the Deming Headlight:

This latest warning is an extension and update of an earlier warning issued by NMED dating back to late July. According to Stone, the earlier recall is not complete, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "There are reports that these hazardous products may still be on store shelves," she said.

"The (New Mexico) Department of Health did not confirm that the Sandoval County man's botulism diagnosis was linked to the recalled food items," Stone said, "but the man had eaten some of the recalled goods in the past and had shopped at a store that sold several recalled canned goods."

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum is the name of a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. The bacteria are anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming rods that produce a potent neurotoxin. These rod-shaped organisms grow best in low oxygen conditions. The bacteria form spores that allow them to survive in a dormant state until exposed to conditions that can support their growth. The organism and its spores are widely distributed in nature. They occur in both cultivated and forest soils, bottom sediment of streams, lakes, and coastal waters, in the intestinal tracts of fish and mammals, and in the gills and viscera of crabs and other shellfish.

Foodborne botulism is a severe type of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of foods containing the potent neurotoxin formed during growth of the organism. The incidence of the disease is low, but the disease is of considerable concern because of its high mortality rate if not treated immediately and properly. Most of the 10 to 30 outbreaks that are reported annually in the United States are associated with inadequately processed, home-canned foods, but occasionally commercially produced foods are implicated as the source of outbreaks. Sausages, meat products, canned vegetables, and seafood products have been the most frequent vehicles for foodborne botulism.

Castleberry's plant reopens

Castleberry's, the company whose products were recalled this summer after confirmed botulism cases were linked to consumption of its products, will resume processing tomorrow after a two-month period when the company was shut down.  According to Examiner.com:

The company was green-lighted to reopen the plant last week by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said Dave Melbourne, a senior vice president at the company, in a prepared statement.

However, the production line that made the hot dog chili sauce will not placed into operation yet, company officials said.

"The investigation conducted by Castleberry's and by the regulatory agencies determined that mechanical issues with one processing system were the cause of any contamination," Melbourne said.

Melbourne did not give additional detail about the mechanical issues.

Another botulism recall

Everlasting Distributors, a New Jersey firm, is recalling  Blue Ocean Smoked Mackerel that was distributed in retail stores in New York and New Jersey in uncoded styropor foam trays and was vacuum-packed with a clear plastic bag.  The mackerel products may be contamianted with Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism. 

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets discovered the potential contamination.  More information is available online on the Newsday website.

Botulism infosheet from the International Food Safety Network

Botulism recall: Green Beans

A Manitowoc, Wisconsin firm is recalling canned green beans for potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism poisoning.  The Denver Post carried the story today after it was discovered that Colorado stores may have sold the potentially contaminated product.

Lakeside, of Manitowoc, Wis., has voluntarily recalled 14.5-ounce cans of French Style Green Beans canned under several labels.

Among those brands are Albertsons, Happy Harvest, Best Choice, Food Club, Bogopa, Valu Time, Hill Country Fare, HEB, Laura Lynn, Kroger, No Name, North Pride, Shop 'n Save, Shoppers Valu, Cub Foods, Dierbergs, Flavorite, IGA, Best Choice and Thrifty Maid.

The FDA issued a recall notice on its website, and listed the following products codes as being recalled:  EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227, ECB5307.

Good news in botulism case

According to the Associated Press, one of two Texas siblings who became ill with botulism poisoning after eating Castleberry's chili products was released from the hospital yesterday.  The Houston Chronicle carried the story:

One of two West Texas siblings confirmed to have botulism poisoning from canned food involved in a nationwide recall remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday, a hospital official said.

Castleberry's Food Co. has recalled more than 90 potentially contaminated products nationwide — including canned chili, hash and stew — over fears of botulism contamination. The recall includes two years' production — tens of millions of cans — from the company's plant at Augusta, Ga.

The second sibling was released from a Covenant Health System hospital July 26, said Michelle Stephens, a spokeswoman for Covenant.

Bill Marler, a food safety attorney, called on Castleberry's to pay outbreak victims' medical expenses in a press release today.

Another botulism case identified

New Mexico health officials announced today that a man had been hospitalized with botulism poisoning since July 26th.  Test results confirmed the 52-year-old man's case, and health agencies are working together to determine whether the man's case can be tied to the recall of Castleberry's chili products.  According to an Associated Press article, the man is mostly paralyzed, but is able to communicate with doctors and public health officials by wiggling his toes.

The article also provided an update on the outbreak.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said a preliminary test showed the man tested positive for botulism, Busemeyer said.

The CDC had said earlier that, as of July 22, four people had been hospitalized because of the contaminated food.

Federal Food and Drug Administration investigators believe Castleberry's failed to properly cook some or all the products involved in the recall, allowing the Clostridium botulinum bacteria to survive the canning process.

List of products recalled for botulism contamination

We have received a number of requests for a list of products that have been recalled for potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum.  It is important to note that Castleberry's manufactures a number of products and sells them under various brand names.  After viewing the Castleberry's website, here is what we have found:

Product Recall Handling Safety Instructions

If you have purchased any of the recalled products, do not open or consume them. The Food and Drug Administration recommends that you double bag them in plastic bags that are tightly closed before being placed in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. If you notice that any of these cans are swollen, bulging or leaking, please put on gloves and eye protection before double-bagging and disposing of the cans. Slowly remove gloves and dispose after use. Wash hands with soap and running water for at least 2 minutes. Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm.

RECALLED PRODUCT LIST

Brand Product Can Size Label UPC Barcode
Austex Beef Stew 15oz 30300 90815
Austex Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 91015
Austex Chili with Beans 19oz 30300 92519
Austex Chili no Beans 15oz 30300 97715
Austex Chili no Beans 19oz 30300 97719
Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 30300 97101
Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 30300 99533
Best Yet Chili with Beans 15oz 42187 40842
Best Yet Corned Beef Hash 15oz 42187 41082
Big Y Chili with Beans 15oz 18894 80425
Big Y Chili no Beans 15oz 18894 80424
Big Y Corned Beef Hash 15oz 18894 80225
Black Rock Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 01715
Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 25439 92448
Bryan Chili no Beans 10oz 53400 35264
Bryan Chili no Beans 15oz 53400 30200
Bryan Chili with Beans 15oz 53400 30205
Bryan Corned Beef Hash 15oz 53400 30110
Bryan Hot Dog Chili Sauce with Beef 10oz 53400 30010
Bunker Hill Chili no Beans 10oz 75266 04112
Bunker Hill Spicier Chili no Beans 10oz 75266 04224
Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 75266 04152
Castleberry's Barbecue Pork in Barbecue Sauce 10oz 30300 00402
Castleberry's Barbecue Pork in Barbecue Sauce 14.5oz 30300 00415
Castleberry's Barbecue Beef 10oz 30300 00602
Castleberry's Beef Stew 15oz 30300 00815
Castleberry's Brunswick Beef Stew Chicken & Beef 15oz 30300 00315
Castleberry's Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 01015
Castleberry's Chili no Beans 10oz 30300 07701
Castleberry's Chili no Beans 15oz 30300 07715
Castleberry's Corned Beef Hash 15oz 30300 00915
Castleberry's Creamed Chip Beef Gravy 10oz 30300 05150
Castleberry's Georgia Hash 15oz 30300 00215
Castleberry's Hot Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 07217
Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 30300 00101
Castleberry's Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 30300 07101
Castleberry's Sausage Gravy 10oz 30300 05130
Cattle Drive Beef Stew 15oz 30300 01531
Cattle Drive Chicken Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 01525
Cattle Drive Chili no Beans 15oz 30300 01520
Cattle Drive Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 01515
Firefighters Chicken Chili with Beans 15oz 73725 00413
Firefighters Chili with Beans 15oz 73725 00411
Firefighters Chili no Beans 15oz 73725 00412
Food Club Corned Beef Hash 15oz 36800 80204
Food Club Chili with Beans 15oz 36800 80504
Food Club Chili no Beans 15oz 36800 80404
Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 35826 06911
Goldstar Original Chili 10oz 24575 00001
Goldstar Chili 15oz 24575 00005
Goldstar Tex-Mex Chili with Beans 15oz 24575 00008
Great Value (Canada Only) Hot Chili with Beans 15oz 81131 79995
Great Value (Canada Only) Chili with Beans 15oz 81131 79994
Kroger Chili with Beans 15oz 11110 83930
Kroger Chili no Beans 15oz 11110 83908
Kroger Beef Stew 15oz 11110 83928
Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 11110 83942
Lowes Foods Chili with Beans 15oz 41643 01097
Lowes Foods Chili no Beans 15oz 41643 01092
Lowes Foods Corned Beef Hash 15oz 41643 01094
Meijer Chili with Beans 15oz 41250 95221
Meijer Chili no Beans 15oz 41250 95220
Meijer Corned Beef Hash 15oz 41250 95229
Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 41250 85862
Morton House Chili With Beans Beef & Chicken 15oz 75266 65851
Morton House Corned Beef Hash 15oz 75266 65830
Paramount Chili with Beans 15oz 75266 00502
Paramount Chili no Beans 15oz 75266 00501
Paramount Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 75266 00510
Paramount Chili Hot Dog Chili 15oz 75266 00526
Piggly Wiggly Chili no Beans 10oz 41290 37355
Piggly Wiggly Chili no Beans 15oz 41290 37354
Piggly Wiggly Chili with Beans 15oz 41290 37252
Piggly Wiggly Corned Beef Hash 15oz 41290 37357
Prudence Corned Beef Hash 15oz 41141 00020
Southern Home Chili no Beans 10oz 38259 48713
Southern Home Chili no Beans 15oz 07880 15340
Southern Home Chili with Beans 15oz 07880 15341
Southern Home Corned Beef Hash 15oz 07880 15360
Steak 'n Shake Chili with Beans 10oz 51844 00120
Thrifty Maid Chili with Beans 15oz 21140 21370
Thrifty Maid Corned Beef Hash 15oz 21140 21375
Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 21140 21367
Triple Bar Ranch Chili no Beans 15oz 30300 05805
Triple Bar Ranch Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 05804
Triple Bar Ranch Chili with Beans Slow Cooked 15oz 30300 05801
Value Time Beef and Chicken Chili with Beans 15oz 11225 42159

Canned Pet Food Products


Brand Product Can Size Label UPC Barcode
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew With Beef,
Potatoes & Carrots
15oz 23633 59860
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out With
Sauce With Vegetables and Chicken
15oz 23633 59861
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with
Chicken & Pasta
15oz 23633 59863
Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings
With Chicken & Vegetables
15oz 23633 59862

Hawaii botulism case unconfirmed. Indiana case suspected.

The Honolulu Advertiser today reported that health officials have not confirmed a second case of botulism in a Maui man.  According to the article:

A state Department of Health official yesterday discounted a second reported case of botulism on Maui because the symptoms "didn't meet the criteria" for the foodborne illness.

Department spokeswoman Janice Okubo said the man who became ill, Wailuku attorney Keith Regan, was not hospitalized after going to the Maui Memorial Medical Center emergency room on Friday, and that no testing was ordered to determine if he had eaten food containing the botulinum toxin, which affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis and death.

Health officials continue to await results of laboratory tests on samples from another Maui man, Jon Stockton, 33, of Hana, who said he became ill after eating Cattle Drive canned chili last week. Okubo said the results could be available as early as today.

In other news, another potential Indiana botulism case is being investigated.  WISH TV reported:

Another case of botulism has been reported in Indiana. State Police say they were asked to transport medicine from the Illinois state line to a patient at Memorial Hospital in Logansport.

Hospital administrators confirm they are treating a man with botulism, but would not say how he got it or how bad it is.

The Indianapolis Star also covered the story of the new suspected botulism case in the state, and once again pointed out that not all consumers are aware of the recall. 

The person ate one of the products on Sunday and became ill, although officials will not know whether it is botulism until test results return in a few days, said Lynae Granzow, an epidemiologist with the Indiana Department of Health. Granzow said today she was not sure which of the recalled products the patient might have eaten.

“Even though this recall has been out and we keep asking the media and the public to communicate the message, persons still are unaware of it,” she said. “Make sure this is absolutely not on your shelves.”

The government has told people to immediately throw away more than 90 different products, from chili sauce to corned beef hash to dog food, produced at a Castleberry’s Food Co. plant linked to a botulism outbreak.

Botulism investigation update issued

The CDC issued an update on its investigation into the botulism outbreak associated with consumption of Castleberry's chili products today in the MMWR.  Interestingly, the MMWR editorial note contains the following:

Investigators are actively seeking additional cases that might be linked to the current outbreak by issuing health alerts and examining reported botulism cases dating back to 2005. Clinicians should consider botulism in patients with symmetric cranial nerve palsies, especially if accompanied by descending flaccid paralysis. Suspected cases of botulism should be reported immediately to local or state public health officials, who should then call the 24-hour CDC Emergency Operations Center (770-488-7100); callers will be connected immediately with an on-call CDC botulism specialist. Health-care providers and public health officials are encouraged to inquire specifically about consumption of the recalled canned products as part of the food history of persons with suspected botulism.

But if people who ate contaminated product and became ill with botulism in Hawaii didn't associate the brand of chili they had eaten with the recall, did anybody else experience symptoms of botulism and not report their illness because they also did not think they had purchased recalled product?

Hawaii men hospitalized with suspected botulism after eating recalled chili products

Two Hawaii men have sought medical treatment after eating canned chili products contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism.  Both men purchased Cattle Drive brand canned chili at Costco in Kahului, Maui, and one was hospitalized with suspected botulism.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is running tests to determine whether the men did, in fact, have botulism. 

The Honolulu Advertiser reported on the first man's illness on Saturday:

[Jon] Stockton said he bought an eight-pack of Cattle Drive canned chili at Costco in Kahului three weeks ago. That was before manufacturer Castleberry's Food Co. of Augusta, Ga., and the federal Food and Drug Administration announced a voluntary product recall July 18 and an expanded recall last Saturday that included 88 canned meat products under various brand names and four varieties of canned dog food under the Natural Balance Eatables brand.

Stockton said he had heard about the recall but didn't realize he had bought one of the suspect brands of chili.

"I heard something about Castleberry but never connected it to Cattle Drive chili. I thought it was a different company," he said.

The Sunday edition of the Advertiser included a follow-up story, after a second man had been sought medical treatment at an emergency room for botulism.  The Advertiser by that time had reached a spokesperson for Costco, who provided an update on its involvement in the Castleberry's recall.

Costco stores nationwide pulled the Castleberry's products the same day the recall was announced, said Craig Wilson, the company's assistant vice president for food safety in Kirkland, Wash.

"The building on Maui pulled it, and everything was done on time," he said yesterday.

He said Costco is assisting the the investigation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by tracking down Stockton's purchase and has identified 250,000 others who bought the canned food that was the subject of the recall and sent letters to those customers advising them to discard the items.

The second man diagnosed with botulism, Keith Regan, expressed the same concerns as Jon Stockton in an article for the Honolulu Star-BulletinConsumers are not aware that Castleberry's makes a number of brands of chili products, so were not aware that the products they had purchased were contaminated or were subject to recall.

On Friday, Keith Regan, 35, checked into the Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he was told that he has a mild case of botulism. He was released that afternoon.

"It's kind of a shock," he said. "I just wish there'd been more warnings with the (food) labels that are familiar to us in Hawaii."

Regan, of Wailuku, last ate a can of Cattle Drive chili on July 20, a day before the chili maker, Castleberry's Food Co., recalled more than 90 brands of chili, stew and other food products that could contain the poisonous bacteria.

Botulism case confirmed in San Diego

Today, the California Department of Public Health and San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced that a 51-year-old woman had been hospitalized with botulism poisoning in San Diego County.   The two public health agencies are jointly investigating the cause of her illness, which may be associated with the consumption of recalled Castleberry food products. 

According to a press release on the California Department of Public Health website, prior to her illness, the woman had purchased and eaten Kroger Chili with Beans, one of the products that has been recalled, prior to becoming ill with botulism in July.  The woman was hospitalized, but has since been released and is recovering at home. 

The press release continues:

“The confirmed case of botulism poisoning in San Diego reminds us of the serious health risk posed by this toxin,” Horton said. “Californians should remain vigilant about not consuming the recalled products. If you have the recalled product, discard it immediately.”

Certain lots of Kroger Chili with Beans, in addition to a number of canned products under different brand names, were voluntarily recalled by Castleberry Food Co. of Augusta, Ga., last week. The recall followed reports of four illnesses of botulism in two states associated with the consumption of Castleberry Hot Dog Chili Sauce. The Kroger Chili with Beans product consumed by the San Diego County woman was thrown away before tests could be performed to determine if it was the definitive cause of the botulism.

Castleberry has recalled all products identified below, regardless of their “Best if Used by Date.” The products are included in the recall because they may pose a risk. Recalled product was distributed to California club stores, drug stores, grocery markets, military base commissaries and discount retailers.

Cans contaminated with botulism exploding

Forbes.com carried a story written by Associated Press reporter Andrew Bridges, published today, that warns consumers - again - to throw out canned Castleberry's products.  It is a message that Public health officials have used repeatedly since discovering Castleberry's products were contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism.

"We're not talking here about a bug that lands you in the bathroom for a few days with diarrhea. We're talking about a toxin that puts you in the intensive care unit," said Dr. David Acheson, the FDA's lead food safety expert. "This is foodborne illness with an extra kick in it, big time."

Public health officials are even more concerned than ever, though, now that cans of Castleberry's products have begun exploding.  Bridges wrote:

Cans of recalled food are bursting, swollen with bacteria that cause botulism.

The bursting cans were among those being held by Castleberry's Food Co., which last week announced a massive recall that now includes more than 90 potentially contaminated products, including chili sauces and dog foods.

News about the bursting cans gives new urgency to warnings from federal health officials to get rid of the recalled cans from pantries and store shelves.

Spot checks by the Food and Drug Administration and state officials are turning up recalled products for sale in convenience stores, gas stations and family-run groceries.

On July 18, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Castleberry's Food Company was recalling multiple products with "best by" dates from April 20, 2009 - May 22, 2009 due possible botulism contamination. The two agencies warned consumers to throw away the product due to the health risks of botulism poisoning, which can lead to paralysis and death. In its botulism recall announcement, FDA stated that two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate Castleberry products had been hospitalized with botulism poisoning.

On July 21, USDA announced that Castleberry's was expanding its recall of products that fell under the agency's jurisdiction, and on July 23, FDA announced that Castleberry's was expanding its botulism recall of products under that agency's jurisdiction, as well. The expanded recall notices are available here:

Botulism plant closes doors

The Associated Press reported today that Castleberry's, the plant that was the source of a botulism outbreak traced to several hot dog chili products, has closed its doors.  WFAA.com out of Dallas/Fort Worth carried the AP story, "Castleberry's shuts plant over botulism outbreak." 

Over the weekend, 16 cans of chili produced at the Castleberry's Georgia plant tested positive for botulism, and company officials have confirmed that the canned products were not cooked to high enough temperatures to kill Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism food poisoning.  AP reported:

So far, four cases of botulism have been reported -- two from Indiana and two from Texas. All four people consumed Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original, a product made by Castleberry's.

On Saturday, Castleberry's expanded its recall of canned meat products that may be connected to a botulism outbreak. It recalled more than 80 types of canned chili, beef stew, corned beef hash and other meat products in addition to the 10 brands it had recalled Thursday.

The latest FDA and USDA recall announcements can be found here: