Food Poisoning Law Blog : Food Poisoning Lawyer & Attorney : PritzkerLaw : Food Safety, Outbreaks & Recalls

Plum Organics, a California maker of baby food, is recalling a batch of Apple & Carrot Portable Pouch products because there is a risk of contamination from the bacteria clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism.

The recall covers 4.22-ounce containers of the food, which were sold nationally at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us retail stores.

The batch carries "best by'' stamps of May 21, 2010, and units have a UPC code of 890180001221. The company is warning consumers not to use the product, even if the contents appear normal.

For infants, symptoms of botulism poisoning include lethargy, weakness, poor feeding, constipation, poor head control, poor gag and sucking reflex. In adults, the symptoms include general weakness, dizziness,  double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

No illnesses were reported in connection with the recall, but any parent whose baby has been sickened by the product should also contact an attorney. National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys has represented victims of botulism, which can have an incubation period in children of 3 to 30 days.

Our firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation against food manufacturers, corporate farms, insurance companies, meatpackers, food distributors and restaurants. A big part of our mission is to promote industrial food safety because we believe most cases of foodborne illness are preventable within the supply chain.

To contact a botulism attorney at Pritzker Olsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or complete our contact form with information about your case. All inquiries by you are free of charge. 

In the Plum Organics baby food recall, botulism fears rose when it was discovered that the product did not meet the FDA guidelines for proper acidity level. Improperly canned commercial foods and home-canned foods with low acidity have been sources for botulism outbreaks in the past..

 

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After reviewing the circumstances around  food poisoning in five California prison inmates who drank illicit, homemade pruno, a group of health experts wants convicts across the country to be warned that jailhouse hooch carries the risk of botulism.

Writing this month in a journal about emerging infectious diseases published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the officials said pruno is popular in prisons and that it is "somewhat surprising that botulism caused by pruno consumption has not been previously reported.''

The group of researchers, led by Dr. Duc Vugia, chief of the Infectious Diseases Branch of the California Department of Public Health, focused on foodborne botulism that occurred among inmates at two California prisons in 2004 and 2005.

In the 2004 case, four inmates were hospitalized, two of whom were put on respirators to combat paralysis -- one of the symptoms of the disease. An investigation found that the four prisoners all drank from the same two-gallon batch of pruno, also known as prison wine or jailhouse juice.

One of the hospitalized inmates had secretly brewed the concoction over five or six days using unpeeled potatoes smuggled from the kitchen, apples from lunches, one old peach, jelly and ketchup. The four who became sick from the drink later described it to a prison nurse as being "magenta in color" and "smelling like baby-poop.''

The researchers said the same type of Clostridium botulinum found in the sick inmates also was found in a drinking cup that contained traces of the pruno.

The second case involved just one inmate in Monterey County, a 30-year-old male who was admitted to a local hospital in a condition too weak to breathe on his own. The patient admitted to making and drinking pruno in prison and potatoes had been part of his mash.

Researchers said the potatoes in both batches of hooch could have been the source of botulinum toxin. They wrote in their report that Clostridium botulinum is commonly found in the soil and its spores have been found on raw potatoes.

The report said the lack of reporting of similar cases may be due to the fact that potatoes are not generally used in the making of pruno in prison.

"Nonetheless, with more than 2 million inmates in prisons and jails in the United States, this illicit homemade alcoholic drink may put more inmates at risk for botulism,'' the report concluded. 

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The Castleberry's canning plant that spawned a rare foodborne botulism outbreak last year was permanently closed by its owner Friday after 82 years of operation in Augusta, Georgia.

Television stations in the area reported that all 327 employees of the plant will lose their jobs.

The production facility created national headlines in July 2007 after the nerve toxin Clostridium botulinum was discovered in cans of Castleberry's hot dog chili sauce. Cans of the sauce had been dropped in cool water on a faulty production line before they could be thoroughly heat-treated.

When health officials linked four cases of botulism to the product, a huge recall ensued and the plant was shut down for inspection. Eventually, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tied the hot dog chili sauce to eight cases of botulism, a disease that can cause paralysis and death. Initial symptoms can include double vision and slurred speech. The victims lived in Indiana, Texas and Ohio.

The plant in Georgia reopened, but was closed again in March 2008 when the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration suspended its temporary operating permit . Weeks later, it reopened. Then in September, the Toronto-based owner of Castleberry's sold the brand name and other assets to Hanover Foods.

The Castleberry's botulism scare was so unusual (most of the 25 to 30 cases in the U.S. each year are related to foods canned at home) that it became the subject of a scientific case study funded by the National Center for Food Protection and Defense, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. You can read the study here.

 

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Three members of an Ohio family who ate home-canned green beans and became poisoned with Botulism are in their seventh week of hospitalization, but steadily recovering.

This weekend, more than 400 people attended a medical fundraiser for the trio at St. Joseph's Convocation Center in Crestline Ohio, near their home. 

Joann Palm told the Mansfileld News Journal newspaper that her 15-year-old son is progressing faster than her parents, Norbert and Florence Reinhard. Still, she said, the boy  faces an additional 12 weeks of recovery.

The Reinhards, who have been canning vegetables at home for 50 years, are being treated at MedCentral/Mansfield Hospital while their grandson is at Children's Hospital in Columbus. Two other family members who ate the beans on Sept. 10 also became ill, but were treated for Botulism infection and released from the hospital within days.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of only 145 people a year in the U.S. are infected with Botulism. Of those, only about 15 percent are foodborne cases. In most of those cases, there is a link to home-canned foods with low acid content, according to the CDC..

Botulism produces a  toxin that can cause muscle paralysis and respiratory failure. Symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, incontinence and muscle weakness.

Another case of Botulism -- this one at a horse breeding farm near Ocala, Fla., -- was recently implicated in the deaths of 100 horses. Ocala.com reported today that a state veterinarian identified the source of the equine outbreak as a local batch of hayledge -- grass that is cut and wrapped and allowed to ferment.

The horses that were sickened by Botulism suffered nervous system damage and were euthanized.

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Several recent cases of botulism in the food industry may be a result of poor company management and the Food and Drug Administration’s failure to thoroughly and regularly police plants.

The first outbreak of botulism in over 33 years from a U.S. made canned food product was from canned hot dog chili sauce made by Castleberry Food Company.

According to USA Today, the cookers had such maintenance problems as:

• Broken alarms
• A leaky valve
• An inaccurate temperature device

Also mentioned in the USA Today story, the plant in Georgia showed signs of poor management and failure to address problems within the system.

But according to FDA’s report, the botulism cases within the plant could not solely be attributed to poor management within the plant. According to the USA Today story:

The FDA's report also underscored the limits of government oversight. The FDA criticized Castleberry's for failing to correct problems, but those problems went undetected by FDA inspectors at the plant five months before the outbreak and by Department of Agriculture inspectors who were in the plant weekly.

The botulism outbreak linked to Castleberry Food products prompted heightened FDA inspections. The USA Today story stated that it was this additional attention that alerted the FDA to contamination of canned products at another plant, saying,

In late November, the FDA began inspecting the New Era Canning plant in Michigan, where it discovered botulism spores, a precursor to the toxin, in cans of green and garbanzo beans. No illnesses were reported. New Era recalled 1.2 million cans of vegetables because of the risk.

The botulism found in New Era’s cannery was believed to be a result of a broken well line which allowed contaminated water to leak into cans that were placed in water to cool.

Both Castleberry’s and New Era claim that the botulism that was found in their plants was a result of pure chance, not neglect. According to the article published in USA Today, Christopher Lischewski, CEO of Castleberry stated, "It's a tough-worded report. But I do not believe there was any sloppiness. We believe it was more of a technology and design issue than an operating issue."

Both Castleberry and New Era have made changes to their company practices. Castleberry removed any suspect cookers from their production, while New Era has implemented chlorine in their cooling water and more frequent checks of bacteria in the plant water.

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FDA has announced an H Mart salted croaker recall because the salted croaker may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that can cause botulism.  The description of the recalled croaker is as follows:

HC Fresh, Frozen Salted Croaker,
Net. Wt.: 16.9 oz (480 gram),
Item # HC 0500402,
Expiration Date: Aug 02. 2009

Consumers are warned not to use these products even if they do not look or smell spoiled.

HC Fresh Frozen Salted Croaker was distributed through H Mart stores including H Mart and Super H Mart in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Texas area.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine inspection. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

According to the FDA announcement, consumers who have purchased these HC Fresh Frozen Salted Croaker products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  However, if someone has eaten some of the recalled croaker, it should be retained for at least 3 days after consumption.  If someone who ate the recalled croaker becomes ill, they should seek medical attention immediately.  If the sickened person is diagnosed with botulism, they or a family member should contact a botulism lawyer.

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The FDA has suspended the temporary permit assigned to Castleberry’s Food Company.  The plant had to stop operations in the summer of 2007 when cans of chili produced at the plant were found to contain the bacteria that leads to botulism.  The FDA suspended the temporary emergency operating permit given to Castleberry’s, forcing the plant to shut down entirely, according to NBC Augusta.  There has been no information released when the plant will reopen, if at all.

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The FDA announced today a recall of vegetable products in #10 cans (6-7 lb. cans) produced by New Era Canning Company of New Era, Michigan.  The cans may have been contaminated by Clostridium botulinum spores. Affected cans can be identified by the UPC but most importantly by the lot code information on the can end.

The cans were distributed nationwide to food service customers, but may have also been available at retail stores. Any cans without a code should be considered affected. FDA inspectors uncovered the problem with products in New Era’s possession.  No product has yet tested positive for the toxin and no cases of botulism have been reported.

According to the FDA,

Clostridium botulinum bacterium spores have the potential for growth that produces a toxin that causes a potentially fatal form of food poisoning - botulism. Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans 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, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first, then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, and calves. Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided. Individuals who have these symptoms and who may have recently eaten the any of the recalled vegetable products currently under recall or other food products made with these items should seek immediate medical attention.

The FDA also released a comprehensive list of products affected:

Classic Sysco brand, Distributed by Sysco Corporation, Houston, TX.

Green asparagus cuts & tips (asparagus, water, salt) in 101 oz. (6 lb. 5 oz.) cans (UPC 7486510471). All lot codes beginning with "00249" are included.

Great Northern beans (Great Northern beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 7486510486). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "NORTH" are included.

Green beans, Italian cut, (Italian green beans, water, salt), in 105 oz. (6 lb. 9 oz.) cans (UPC 7486511294). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Light red kidney beans (kidney beans, water, corn sweetener, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 7486510642). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LRKID" are included.

Red beans (red beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 110 oz. (6 lb. 14 oz.) cans (UPC 7486510638). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "RED" are included.

Cut wax beans (wax beans, water, salt) in 101 oz. (6 lb. 5 oz.) cans (UPC 7486511434). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Code brand, Distributed by Code, Atlanta, GA.

Dark red kidney beans (soaked kidney beans, water, corn sweetener, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans (UPC 1207316042). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "DRKID" are included.

Fancy cut wax beans 4 sieve (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans (UPC 1207310183). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Frosty Acres Restaurant's Pride Preferred brand, Packed for F.A.B., Inc., Alpharetta, GA.

Black beans (cooked black beans, water, ferrous gluconate, calcium chloride) in 6 lb. 15 oz. cans (UPC 4820049145). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BLACK" are included.

Blackeye Peas (Blackeye peas, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans (UPC 4820049146). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BEP" are included.

Fancy Great Northern beans (Great Northern white beans, water, salt, natural flavors and calcium chloride) in 110 oz. (6 lb. 14 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068288). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "NORTH" are included.

Fancy cut Italian green beans (Italian beans, water, salt) in 105 oz. (6 lb. 9 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068390). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Fancy dark red kidney beans (dark red kidney beans, water, corn syrup, salt, calcium chloride) in 111 oz. (6 lb. 15 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068171). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "DRKID" are included.

Fancy Mexican style chili beans (white beans, water, corn syrup, sugar, tomato paste, salt, dextrose, onion powder, garlic powder, oleoresin paprika, natural flavors) in 111 oz. (6 lb. 15 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068534). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "CHILI" are included.

Fancy pinto beans (pinto beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 111 oz. (6 lb. 15 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068939). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "PINTO" are included.

Fancy red beans (prepared red beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans (UPC 4820069023). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "RED" are included.

Fancy vegetarian beans in tomato sauce (white beans, water, corn syrup, sugar, tomato paste, salt, dextrose, onion powder, garlic powder, oleoresin paprika and natural flavorings) in 112 oz (7 lb.) cans (UPC 4820069161). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "VEG" are included.

GFS brand, Distributed by Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, MI

Fancy all green asparagus cuts & tips (asparagus, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, reorder no. 229601 (UPC 9390122960). All lot codes beginning with "00249" are included.

Fancy black beans (black beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, reorder no. 557714 (UPC 9390155771). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BLACK" are included.

Italian cut green beans (Italian green beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 9 oz. cans, reorder no. 769878 (UPC 9390176987). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Medium lima beans (lima beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, reorder no. 118796 (UPC 9390111879). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LIMA" are included.

Fancy Mexican style chili beans (soaked red beans, water, chili seasoning, salt, corn starch, tomato paste, sugar, calcium chloride) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, reorder no. 192015 (UPC 9390119201). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "CHILI" are included.

Fancy cut wax beans 4 sieve (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 118834 (UPC 9390111883). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Kitchen Essentials brand, Distributed by Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, MI.

Cut wax beans mixed sieve (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 274453 (UPC 9390127445). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Monarch Heritage brand, Packed for PYA/Monarch, Inc, Greenville, SC.

Italian style cut green beans (green beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 173865 (No UPC code). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Necco brand, Packed by New Era Canning Company, New Era, MI.

Cut wax beans (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 6 oz. cans (UPC 3683513440). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

New Era brand, Distributed by New Era Canning Co, New Era, MI.

Asparagus cuts & spears (asparagus, water, salt) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511220). All lot codes beginning with "00249" are included.

Black beans (black beans, water, salt) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511692). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BLACK" are included.

Black-eyed peas (black-eye peas, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511698). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BEP" are included.

Butter beans (lima beans, water, salt, sugar, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511694). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LIMA" are included.

Chili beans in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511675). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "CHILI" are included.

Great Northern beans (Great Northern beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 110 oz. (6 lb. 14 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511688). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "NORTH" are included.

Italian Cut Green Beans (Italian beans, water, salt) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511342). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Light red kidney beans, (kidney beans, water, corn sweetener, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511682). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LRKID" are included.

Dark red kidney beans, (kidney beans, water, corn sweetener, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511680). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "DRKID" are included.

Lima beans (lima beans, water, salt) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511696). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LIMA" are included.

Pinto beans (pinto beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511686). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "PINTO" are included.

Red beans (red beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans (no UPC). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "RED" are included.

Vegetarian beans (white beans, water, cane syrup, tomato paste, corn syrup, salt, vinegar, calcium chloride, onion powder, paprika, spice, natural flavorings) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511670). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "VEG" are included.

Cut wax beans (wax beans, water, salt) in 102 oz. (6 lb. 6 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511440). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Nugget brand, Distributed by Nugget, Atlanta, GA.

Asparagus cuts & tips (asparagus, water, salt) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, (UPC 4410503580). All lot codes beginning with "00249" are included.

Reliance Sysco, Distributed by Sysco Corporation, Houston, TX.

Cut wax beans 4 sieve (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 4108056 (UPC 7486512190). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Wax beans mixed and short cuts (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 4182788 (UPC 7486512231). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has warned consumers of a voluntary recall from Olivier Olive Oil Products, Inc. The recall concerns Olivier brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination.

The products were distributed to William-Sonoma retail stores nationwide and to Olivier Napa Valley retail stores in Truckee and St. Helena, California. The product comes in an 11.76 oz. jar and contains the following codes that are on the side of the jar with no label:

• OPA 34171
• OPA 23471
• OAP 17271
• OAP 17671
• OAP 36061
• OAP 36161
• OPA 33961

According to CDPH,

Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Symptoms of botulism include: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

No illness have been reported associated with Olivier Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil.

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Ohio and Michigan E. coli Outbreak Associated with Kroger Ground Beef
June 25, 2008 - According to the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), ground beef sold at Kroger grocery stores has been associated with an E. coli outbreak that has sickened people in Michigan and Ohio. Read about the legal implications of this association and a Kroger E. coli lawsuit..

Kroger deli bean salad, specifically Deli Chef Tri-Bean Salad, has been recalled due to possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that can cause botulism, a life-threatening foodborne illness. The recalled Kroger bean salad was sold from Kroger deli counters in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Consumers who have eaten this salad should be aware that the incubation period for Clostridium botulinum (the time it takes for botulism symptoms to appear) is 6 hours to 10 days. Symptoms of foodborne botulism generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food. 

ANY LEFTOVER KROGER BEAN SALAD SHOULD NOT BE EATEN. If someone ate some of the salad, dispose of it after the 10-day incubation period (contact our law firm regarding having the leftovers tested if someone is diagnosed with botulism - 1-888-377-8900 toll-free). If no one ate some of the recalled Kroger bean salad, dispose of it immediately. 

When you dispose of the salad, be extremely cautious. A small amount of the botulism toxin can lead to illness and possible death. Please wear disposable gloves, put it in double plastic bags and throw the bean salad and the disposable gloves away. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds under warm water, and lather up your hands well.

Again, the Kroger bean salad recall involves Deli-Chef Tri-Bean Salad sold from Kroger deli counters in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. We are concerned about this recall and urge caution.

The potential botulism risk is due to the use of canned green beans that were processed under conditions which could have led to contamination by Clostridium botulinum bacterium spores. The text of the New Era Canning Company Recall can be found on the FDA website at this location: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/newera201_08.html.

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A 43-year-old woman has been diagnosed with botulism after eating home-canned chicken soup from the Schumacher’s Inn in Austin, Pennsylvania. The following is from a Pennsylvania Department of Health news release:

Consumers who purchased or were given “home-canned” soup or other canned products from the Schumacher’s Inn in Austin, Potter County, should not open the cansjars Agriculturedue to the risk of Botulism contamination, Health SecretaryAgriculture Secretary Dr. Calvin B. JohnsonDennis Wolff said today.

Consumers who obtained canned products from the restaurant should immediately contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health, toll-free, at 877-PA-HEALTH.

The state became involved after a 43-year-old Potter County woman, and some of the chicken soup she said she purchased from the restaurant, tested positive for botulism. [Note from Pritzker Law: The soup tested positive for the bacteria that causes botulism, Clostridium botulinum.  Botulism is an illness.]

The Department of Agriculture, which oversees food safety, has quarantined the product and ordered the restaurant not to sell or give away any canned product. Any soup or other products canned by this restaurant should be submitted to the state for testing.

Foodborne botulism is a rare but very serious paralytic illness caused by consuming foods that contain botulinum toxin, a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It usually occurs after consuming items that were improperly canned, allowing the formation of botulinum toxin in the product. The toxin sometimes causes the lid of the can or jar to swell, but this is not always the case.

Botulism, which thrives in oxygen-free environments, like those produced in canning, may have been introduced through improper canning techniques. Chicken soup is considered a potentially hazardous food when canned and should only be produced by commercially-licensed kitchens.

In individuals, symptoms of botulism can include nausea, vomiting, and intestinal problems; followed by fatigue, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing and dry mouth. 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 6 hours or as late as 10 days.

Pritzker Law, a leading foodborne illness litigation law firm, is investigating cases of botulism.  The firm has a national reputation and has recovered millions for victims of foodborne illness.  To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.

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Below is an FDA announcement of a canned green been recall.  Consumers should check their pantries for the recalled GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beens and discard them as directed in the FDA announcement.

New Era Canning Company of New Era, Michigan is voluntarily recalling 171 cases/ 6 cans per case of 6 lbs. 5 oz. GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans, 4 Sieve, lot code 19H7FL , because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death from botulism. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms:  general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms.  People experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.  The incubation period can be 2 hours to 2 weeks; in most cases the symptoms appear after 12 to 24 hours.

The canned green beans were distributed to foodservice customers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia and sold through GFS Marketplace stores in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

The canned green beans are packaged in 6 lbs. 5 oz. cans under the GFS brand (GFS reorder #118737; UPC  93901 11873) with lot code 19H7FL printed on the end of the can.  No other reorder numbers or lots are included in this recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential contamination of the product was found through testing by the Food and Drug Administration.  New Era Canning in conjunction with the US Food and Drug Administration and the Michigan Department of Agriculture is thoroughly evaluating all processes and procedures to determine the cause of the problem.

Any food that may be contaminated should be disposed of carefully. Even tiny amounts of toxins ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin can cause serious illness. Skin contact should be avoided as much as possible, and the hands should be washed immediately after handling the food.   Customers should not be encouraged to return product to Gordon Food Service.  Customers who have the product or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. Double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home.  Restaurants and institutions are encouraged to assure that such products are only placed in locked receptacles which are not accessible to the public. Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm.

Anyone with questions can call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

If you are diagnosed with botulism after eating the recalled green beans, contact our law firm for a free case consultation.

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Royal Seafood Baza Inc, a New York firm, has recalled packages of "Dried Roach" (fish) because the product may be contaminated with Clostridium Botulinum, which can cause botulism.  The recalled dried roach (fish) was distributed to Net Cost Market stores located in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The product comes in clear plastic pouches of various weights with a product code 20.03.08. It is a product of Latvia.

According to an FDA notice regarding the dried roach (fish) recall, the sale of this type of fish is prohibited under New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than in any other portion of fish. Uneviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the recall of dried roach (fish) sold at Net Cost Market stores in New York, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania.  However, people who have consumed the recalled dried roach should watch for symptoms of botulism, including blurred or double vision, general weakness, and poor reflexes, difficulty swallowing and respiratory paralysis.

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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.

The above disposal recommendations are from the CDC.
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One child hospitalized in Texas with botulism poisoning is still in critical condition a month after becoming ill. According to the CDC, the child ate Castleberry’s Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original for lunch on June 28. Both the child and a sibling became severely ill and were hospitalized. The child’s sibling was released from the hospital on July 26. 

It took over 2 weeks for Castleberry’s to recall the Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce and and other brands of chili sauce. A few days later, on July 21, the recall was expanded to include over 90 products (millions of cans of food), all of which may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism. 

Yesterday, Castleberry’s Food and the FDA published an urgent press release because the recalled products are still being sold at some locations. "Our primary focus is making sure that no potentially contaminated products are on grocery shelves, in peoples' homes or in emergency food supplies," said Steve Mavity, SVP Technical Services/Quality Assurance for Castleberry's. "Surveys by our own audit team, as well as those by inspectors from federal, state and local health agencies, confirm that some retail outlets, especially smaller independent and convenience stores, may still have recalled products available for sale. We are renewing our warning not to sell, open, or consume these products."

"Consumers, retailers, restaurants, food pantries and others should reconfirm that all products included in the recall, regardless of best-by date, are immediately disposed of," Mavity said. "Check the product description and can size of products included in the recall and follow disposal instructions communicated by Castleberry's and recommended by governmental agencies. In addition, consumers should notify family members and friends about the recall." 

We have provided a page on our website with the list of recalled products and instructions for handling and disposal. Please send our page entitled “Botulism Poisoning Recall and Instructions for Disposal” to family and friends.  Indiana health officials are investigating one case where a man became ill after consuming a recalled product on Sunday--several days after the recall of the product.

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There are 2 confirmed cases of botulism in Indiana, and Indiana health officials are investigating a possible third case. All 3 cases are associated with Castleberry’s Food products that were recalled due to possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism. The 2 people with confirmed cases of botulism ate Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original. 

According to the Indiana Department of Health, the investigation of the third case revealed that the person ate one of the recalled products on Sunday before becoming ill and experiencing symptoms of botulism. Health officials are awaiting the results of testing to determine if this is a case of botulism. 

In addition to the cases in Indiana, there have been 2 confirmed cases in Texas. Health officials in other states, including Georgia, Hawaii, and California are also investigating reported cases of botulism.

The recall of Castleberry’s Food chili sauce and other products began on July 18 and has been expanded to include about 90 products, including chili, corned beef, stew, and pet food packaged under a number of different brand names. The third case of botulism in Indiana may be associated with consumption of a recalled product on July 29, over a week after the recall. Please let your friends, relatives, and neighbors know about this recall.

Pritzker Law, a leading foodborne litigation law firm, is printing the full list of recalled products below as a public service. Please send the list to your friends, family, and neighbors. It is critical that people do not eat any of the recalled products.

Without Meat 

Hot Dog Chili Sauces	SIZE	UPC CODES
Castleberry's Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	30300-97101
Castleberry's Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	30300-99533
Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	30300-00101
Castleberry's Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	30300-07101
Castleberry's Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	75266-04152
Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	11110-83942
Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	41250-85862
Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	35826-06911
Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	25439-92448
Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce	10 OZ	21140-21367

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Johnathan Stockton, A Maui man hospitalized after eating a can of Cattle Drive chili, was released from the hospital Saturday morning, according to KITV Honolulu. According to the story, he is still “feeling some of the symptoms of botulism—including facial paralysis.   Another man in Hawaii, Keith Regan of Wailuku, has also reported symptoms of botulism after eating the product, which was purchased at a Costco store in Kahului.

Cattle Drive chili is one of the products recalled by Castleberry’s Food Co. due to possible contamination with botulism. Two people in Indiana, two people in Texas, and a woman in California have been diagnosed with botulism. Pritzker Law has been contacted by people from several states with symptoms of botulism.

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) is investigating Jonathan Stockton’s and Keith Regan's illnesses as possible cases of botulism. The department is still awaiting test results.

“The DOH has consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and although the case has not been confirmed as botulism poisoning, we are taking every precaution,” said Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino. “The DOH has put out notices statewide about the recalled product and the risk of botulism poisoning. Everyone can help by spreading the word and calling the Department if they see the product for sale.”

Exposure to botulinum toxin (Clostridium botulinum) can be fatal. Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans can begin from 6 hours to 10 days after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, 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. Individuals who show these symptoms and who may have recently eaten one of the Castleberry’s products currently under recall should seek immediate medical attention.

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A woman in San Diego was diagnosed with botulism after eating Kroger Chili with Beans, a recalled product manufactured by Castleberry’s Food Co., according to a story by the Union-Tribune. The story goes on to state that the can of Kroger Chili with Beans “was thrown away before county health officials could perform tests to determine if the product was the definitive cause of the botulism.” 

If you or a family member is diagnosed with botulism, a lawsuit for damages is possible even if the contaminated product has been thrown away. In fact, in many of the food poisoning cases we have handled over the years, the contaminated food was not available as evidence.  In those cases,  our lawyers used other epidemiological and microbiological evidence to prove fault and recover compensation for damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

For a free consultation about your legal rights, please contact the law firm of Pritzker Law, a nationally-recognized foodborne illness litigation law firm. A lawyer at the firm can be reached toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or by submitting the firm’s online consultation form.

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The CDC has provided the following questions and answers related to the botulism outbreak associated with canned chili sauce:

Did people get botulism from eating chili sauce?

Yes. As of July 20, 2007, four cases of botulism have been reported to the CDC from Indiana (2 cases) and Texas (2 cases). All four persons were reported to have consumed Castleberry’s brand Hot Dog Chili Sauce the day before the illness began. This is the only food identified in common among the four patients, so it is the most likely food vehicle. In addition, botulinum toxin was identified in leftover chili sauce collected from a patient's home.

Which brands of chili sauce have been linked to illness?

• Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030000101)
• Castleberry’s Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030099533)

Why have brands other than the ones known to have caused illness been recalled?

All the recalled brands were canned in the same plant. There is concern that other products manufactured at the same time and on the same equipment could be contaminated. None of the recalled products should be consumed.

How did botulinum toxin get into chili sauce?

We do not yet know. OutbreakNet (the network of epidemiologists and other public health officials, facilitated by CDC, who investigate outbreaks of foodborne, waterborne, and other enteric illnesses nationwide) officials at CDC and in state and local health departments, FDA, USDA-FSIS and the marketing and manufacturing companies are working collaboratively to learn more about production of Castleberry’s brands products, as well as products manufactured by Castleberry Food Company and distributed under several other brand names, to determine how these products may have been contaminated.

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URGENT BOTULISM WARNING: Pritzker Law has been contacted by a possible victim of the botulism outbreak linked to hot dog chili sauce. To date Castleberry’s Food Company (owned by Bumble Bee Foods, LLC) has recalled the following 10 ounce cans of hot dog chili sauce due to possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism:

• Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 30300-99533)
• Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce (30300-97101)
• Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce (25439-92448)
• Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce (75266-04152)
• Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 30300-00101)
• Castleberry’s Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce (30300-07101)
• Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce (35826-06911)
• Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 11110-83942)
• Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce (41250-85862)
• Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce (21140-21367)

All of these products are recalled irrespective of “best by” dates. Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized.

Due to an investigation by the FDA and USDA-FSIS, Castleberry's Food Company has also recalled canned products manufactured due to possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum. Each can label or can end bears the establishment number "EST. 195" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The canned meat products were distributed nationwide. The following canned meat products have been recalled:

 

• 12-pack of 15-ounce cans of "Austex Beef Stew."
• 15- and 19-ounce cans of "Austex Chili with Beans."
• 12-pack of 15-ounce cans of "Austex Chili No Beans."
• 12-pack of 19-ounce cans of "Austex Chili No Beans."
• 15-ounce cans of "Best Yet Chili with Beans."
• 15-ounce cans of "Best Yet Corned Beef Hash."
• 15-ounce cans of "Big Y Chili with Beans."
• 15-ounce cans of "Big Y Chili no Beans."
• 15-ounce cans of "Big Y Corned Beef Hash."
• 15-ounce cans of "Black Rock Chili with Beans."
• 24-pack of 10-ounce cans of "Bryan Hot Dog Chili Sauce."
• 24-pack of 15-ounce cans of "Bryan Corned Beef Hash."
• 24-pack of 10-ounce cans of "Bryan Chili No Beans."
• 24-pack of 15-ounce cans of "Bryan Chili No Beans."
• 24-pack of 15-ounce cans of "Bryan Chili with Beans."
• 10-ounce cans of "Bunker Hill Chili no Beans."
• 10-ounce cans of "Bunker Hill Chunky Chili no Beans."
• 10-ounce cans of "Castle Chili No Beans."
• 15-ounce cans of "Castleberry's Beef Stew."
• 15-ounce cans of "Castleberry's Brunswick Stew."
• 10-ounce cans of "Castleberry's BUNKER HILL, ORIGINAL Chili NO BEANS."
• 15-ounce cans of "Castleberry's CHILI WITH BEANS."
• 12-pack of 15-ounce cans of "Castleberry's Chili No Beans."
• 15-ounce cans of "Castleberry's Corned Beef Hash."
• 10-ounce cans of "Castleberry's HICKORY SMOKED, OVEN ROASTED, WITH SKINS, BARBECUE PORK IN BARBECUE SAUCE."
• 12-pack of 15-ounce cans of "Castleberry's Hot Chili with Beans."
• 10- and 14.5-ounce cans of "Castleberry's BBQ Pork."

 

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