<b>By KEVIN WALKER<br>
Michigan Correspondent</b> </p><p>

NEW ERA, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers about green beans that may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism. Botulism can cause serious illness and can be fatal.</p><p>
The green beans were canned by the New Era Canning Co. and were distributed to retailers, restaurants and food service institutions by Gordon Food Service of Grand Rapids, Mich. They were labeled as “GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans.”</p><p>
According to the FDA, the lot code for the beans is 19H7FL, with a UPC code of 93901 11873. They were distributed in large, institutional-sized, 6-pound-5-ounce cans to food service customers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.</p><p>
They were also sold through GFS Marketplace stores in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. The FDA doesn’t think the beans have been distributed outside the United States.</p><p>
Customers who have the affected cans of green beans or who have used the beans in recipes should throw cans and food away. Any food that may be contaminated should be disposed of carefully, since even tiny amounts of the bacterium can cause illness if it is ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin. Avoid handling the food.</p><p>
So far there have been no reported cases of botulism resulting from what the FDA is calling a “potential contamination.”</p><p>
According to an FDA press release, the agency is working closely with the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and New Era Canning to identify all products that may be contaminated. The MDA has already seized most canned products at New Era’s warehouses. New Era has also voluntarily recalled 171 cases of the green beans; each case contains six cans.</p><p>
The company is still in the process of contacting all of its customers that may have contaminated green beans, said a company spokeswoman. She said that all of its customers are institutional.
The FDA learned of the potential contamination Dec. 20 while doing tests on the green beans.</p><p>
The agency advises that anyone who thinks they may have consumed potentially contaminated green beans should seek immediate attention if they show any signs of botulism. Symptoms include double vision, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, slurred speech, problems swallowing and muscle weakness that moves down the body.</p><p>
Botulism can cause eventual paralysis, with the victim requiring mechanical breathing assistance. Symptoms of botulism can manifest themselves in as soon as six hours or as long as two weeks after exposure.</p><p>
The FDA has provided a toll-free hotline for anyone with concerns related to this foodborne illness, at 888-SAFE-FOOD (723-3366).