Do you love hot dog chili?
If you love hot dog chili, be careful of the cans of hot dog chili you buy. The FDA recently released a warning about certain cans of hot dog chili causing botulism. Botulism hasn’t been seen here in the U.S. in a long time but it’s a serious thing. 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.
So far, 4 people have been sickened from the hot dog chili sauce.
The hot dog chili recall covers the following universal product codes:
Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 3030000101)
Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030099533)
Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 1111083942)
Morton House Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 7526665830)
Cattle Drive Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001515)
Southern Home Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 0788015360)
Meijer Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 4125095229)
Castleberrys Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001015)
Castleberrys Barbecue Pork, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030000402)
Bunker Hill Chili No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 7526604112).
Taken from the FDA website:
Castleberry’s Announces Voluntary Recall of Chili Products
Contact:
Castleberry’s Consumer Hotline
1-888-203-8446
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Augusta, Georgia — July 18, 2007 – Castleberry’s Food Company today announced that it is voluntarily recalling the following products: Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 3030000101), Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 3030099533), Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 1111083942), Morton House Corned Beef Hash, 15 oz can (UPC 7526665830), Cattle Drive Chili with Beans, 15 oz can (UPC 3030001515), Southern Home Corned Beef Hash, 15 oz can (UPC 0788015360), Meijer Corned Beef Hash, 15 oz can (UPC 4125095229), Castleberry’s Chili with Beans, 15 oz can (UPC 3030001015), Castleberry’s Barbecue Pork, 10 oz can (UPC 3030000402) and Bunker Hill Chili No Beans, 10 oz can (UPC 7526604112).
Castleberry’s is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate possible contamination of these products with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness. Botulism can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.
This recall only affects the products listed above with a “best by” date of APR30 2009 through MAY22 2009. The “best by” date can be found either on the top or bottom of the can. Consumers who have any of these products should discard them. Consumers should not use these products even if they do not look or smell spoiled. Consumers may return the label to the location where the product was purchased for a full refund.
Castleberry’s was notified by the FDA of four potential cases of botulism involving individuals who ate these products. “We are taking this precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our consumers,” said Steve Mavity, SVP Technical Services/Quality Assurance for Castleberry’s. “We will continue to work closely with the FDA, USDA, and CDC.”
Consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall should go to Castleberry’s website (http://www.castleberrys.com) or call Castleberry’s consumer hotline at 1-888-203-8446.
If you need a botulism lawyer, contact the Gomez Firm for free legal advice. Visit www.thegomezfirm.com to contact us or call us at 1-866-395-6792.
