Castleberry’s canned meat tainted with botulism still being sold

Recall now covers two years’ production at the company’s GA plant

07/27/07

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As of July 27, 2007, stores nationwide continue to sell canned meat containing a toxic that causes botulism, a potentially fatal disease. Castleberry’s Food Company recalled about 90 of its products after tests found 16 out of 17 cans at the Georgia plant were contaminated.

Inspections by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state officials are still finding the recalled Castleberry meats on shelves in convenience stores, gas stations, and family run groceries. The FDA found the products in 250 of the more than 3,700 stores visited.

In North Carolina, state officials pulled 5,500 cans from store shelves in recent days. Officials say more than one in three stores checked were still offering the products, and admit they are having trouble reaching smaller stores.

“Botulism is a serious illness, and we want to make sure the public is protected,” N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said.

On July 25, 2007, Troxler said the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is in a blitz to ensure all recalled food products are off the shelves. He also said consumers with the recalled cans should be exceedingly careful.

“Anyone with this product should be careful not to come into contact with it. Throw it away immediately, following guidelines set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Troxler said. “Even unopened cans should be treated with care and double-bagged before being thrown away.”

FDA investigators have said Castleberry’s failed to properly cook the products, which allowed the Clostridium botulinum bacteria to survive the canning process. Once in the moist, oxygen-free cans, the bacteria produce a toxin that causes botulism. The toxin can be inhaled, swallowed, absorbed through the eye, or through breaks in the skin.

“The longer this stuff stays in the can, the worse it gets,” said Dr. David Acheson, the FDA’s lead food safety expert.

Meanwhile, cans of the recalled food have been bursting because they have become swollen with the bacteria that causes botulism. The bursting cans are a sign to federal health officials that the removal of the cans from shelves is urgent.

While the only confirmed cans with the botulism toxin are the Castleberry’s chili products, the recall includes all canned meat made on that production line because they were made using the same equipment.

“All effected products must be off the store shelves now,” said David Elder, director of the FDA’s Office of Enforcement. “It’s imperative for public health that retailers support these actions and remove products from store shelves, and it’s imperative that consumers are made aware of the products that could hurt them.”

Consumers who purchased recalled products are advised not to open or consume them. The FDA recommends double-bagging the cans in plastic bags, tightly closing them and placing them in a trashcan for non-recyclable trash outside of the house.

If any of the cans are swollen, bulging, or leaking, consumers should put on gloves and eye protection before handling the cans. If using gloves, they should be thrown away after use. After handling the cans, consumers should wash their hands with soap and running water for two minutes.

Additional information for safely disposing of the recalled products can be found at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Website.

Sources: “Blitz underway to remove recalled products from NC shelves,” Abc11.com, July 25, 2007; Andrew Bridges, “Food in botulism recall still being sold,” News and Observer, July 27, 2007; “Bursting cans of tainted food give new urgency to warnings about botulism,” Boston Herald, July 26, 2007;“Product Recall handling safety instructions,” Castleberrys.com, July 27, 2007.

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