|
The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat 10
ounce cans of Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC
3030000101), Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC
3030099533), and Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC
1111083942) with “best by” dates from April 30, 2009
through May 22, 2009 due to possible botulism
contamination. Botulism can be fatal. The “best by
dates” can be found on the can lids.
Consumers who have any of these products or any foods
made with these products should throw them away
immediately. If the “best by” date is missing or
unreadable consumers should throw the product out.
Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate
these products became seriously ill and have been
hospitalized.
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.
Individuals who show these symptoms and who may have
recently eaten Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Austex
Hot Dog Chili Sauce, or Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce
should seek immediate medical attention.
All of the above products are manufactured by the
Castleberry Food Company in Augusta, Georgia.
Castleberry has informed FDA that it is voluntarily
recalling all of the potentially contaminated products
and is cooperating with FDA, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), and the states’ active
investigations into the cause of this contamination and
scope of the products’ distribution.
FDA will provide updates as more information becomes
available. Consumers can call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
Castleberry recommends consumers with any questions or
concerns about this recall should contact Jamie Leicht
of Fleishman Hillard at 1-888-203-8446.
All Media information will be through the DSHS Media
contact person for State of Texas - Doug McBride
Office: 512-458-7524
Cell: 512-658-1214
Pager: 866-768-2340
James Pike
Rusk County Community Health Program |
