Botulism Risk from Canned French Cut Green Beans
A number of brands of French cut green beans may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism. The brands of beans include the following: Albertson's, Happy Harvest, Best Choice, Food Club, Bogopa, Valu Time, Hill Country Fare, HEB, Laura Lynn, Kroger, No Name, North Pride, Shop N Save, Shoppers Valu, Schnucks, Cub Foods, Dierbergs, Flavorite, IGA, Best Choice and Thrifty Maid. The specific codes (top line of can code) involved are: EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227, ECB5307.
The FDA recommends that consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should dispose of them immediately. If the code on an affected can is missing or unreadable, consumers should throw the product out. Caution should be used when handling the products:
- Unopened can of recalled French cut green beans: Do not open or puncture the can. Place the unopened can in a sealable bag, wrap another plastic bag around it, and tape it tightly. Dispose the taped bags in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside the home and out of reach of humans and pets. Wash hands with soap and running water for at least 2 minutes.
- Opened can, leaking can, bulging can, or food prepared from can of recalled French cut green beans:
Do not open or puncture the can. Place the unopened can in a sealable bag, wrap another plastic bag around it, and tape it tightly. Dispose the taped bags in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside the home and out of reach of humans and pets. Wash hands with soap and running water for at least 2 minutes.
Any food that may be contaminated with botulinum toxin should be discarded using extreme care. Even a tiny amount of toxin that is eaten or absorbed through a break in the skin or the eye can cause serious illness. Avoid splashing and contact with the skin. Wear rubber or latex gloves when handling an open can, leaking can, or food prepared from one of the recalled products.. Do not discard the food in a sink, garbage disposal, or toilet.
If the food is in a disposable container, leave it in the container. Put the container in a sealable bag, wrap another plastic bag around the sealable bag, and then tape tightly. If the food is in a non-disposable container, put the food from the container into a sealable bag, wrap another plastic bag around the sealable bag, and then tape tightly. Dispose the taped bags in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside the home and out of reach of humans and pets. Fill the non-disposable container with a dilute bleach solution (use ¼ cup bleach for every 2 cups of water), and allow to soak for at least 15 minutes. Discard the liquid and wash the container thoroughly with soap and running water.
Sponges, cloths, rags and gloves that may have come into contact with contaminated food or containers should be discarded with the food in a non-recyclable trash receptacle.
After disposing of the product, slowly remove gloves and dispose in a non-recyclable trash receptacle after use. Wash hands with soap and running water for at least 2 minutes.