By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers not to eat certain canned products or to serve some dog food made by Castleberry’s Food Co. of Augusta, Ga., due to possible botulism contamination.

The list of recalled products includes cans of hot dog chili sauce, various types of dog food, chili with meat, corned beef hash and a number of other products. Consumers are being urged to throw out any suspected products.

The original recall began on July 18, but was expanded a few days later. A statement from Castleberry’s dated July 21 read: Castleberry’s Food Company today announced that it is taking extra steps to ensure public safety by voluntarily expanding its recall originally announced on July 18 due to the risk of botulinum toxin, a bacterium which can cause botulism.

“There is nothing more important to us than the health of those who use our products every day,” said Steve Mavity of Castleberry’s. “We are taking every step necessary, and are working hand-in-hand with health officials around the clock to ensure the safety of consumers.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “… as of July 21, 2007, four cases of botulism have been reported to CDC from Indiana and Texas (two cases each).

Onset dates range from June 29 to July 9, 2007.

“All four persons were reported to have consumed Castleberry’s brand Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original. Botulinum toxin was identified in leftover chili sauce from an unlabeled sealable bag collected from a patient’s refrigerator.”

The CDC website warns that: Persons with signs or symptoms of botulism who have eaten Castleberry’s brand Hot Dog Chili Sauce or any of the other recalled products are advised to immediately contact their health care provider. These (symptoms) include new onset of double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or muscle weakness. If untreated, the illness may progress from head to toe, with paralysis of the face, arms, breathing muscles, trunk and legs.

Symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food, but they can occur as early as six hours or as late as 10 days. Health care providers evaluating persons with signs of botulism should contact their state health department immediately. CDC provides 24/7 consultation on botulism to state health departments.

Botulism is rare but serious, with 110 cases reported annually according to the CDC, and of those only 25 percent caused by tainted food. FDA reminds the public that botulism can be fatal.
For a list of Castleberry’s recalled goods, visit www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp