The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about more than 80 types of stew, chili, hash, and pet food produced out of Castleberry’s Georgia-based plant.  Castleberry's has temporarily closed the plant.  Consumer use of the products could result in botulism poisoning- the country’s first major botulism threat in over 30 years.  Castleberry’s is working with the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and state agencies to trace the cause of contamination and to keep consumers and their pets safe.  The company has hired an outside firm to visit more than 8,500 retailers in an effort to quickly get recalled products off store shelves.  The canned pet food products affected by the recall include:

For a list of the human food products, go to http://www.castleberrys.com

The New Mexico Environment Department is working to ensure that retail outlets, food pantries and other agencies that serve or distribute canned goods are no longer serving the recalled products and that consumers discard the recalled products.  Food borne botulism is a rare but serious disease that can result in paralysis and death.  

Consumers who have any of the recalled products should dispose of them immediately.  Double bag any cans in tightly closed plastic bags then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home.  Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm.

Retailers and foodservice establishments should isolate recalled products from other stock and secure and tag for pick-up or disposal as directed by Castleberry’s or their designee.  Do not puncture or otherwise open cans prior to disposal.  Disposal must be done in accordance with state and local regulations and ordinances and in a manner that will prevent diversion of the recalled products.  Recalled products should not be disposed by placing them in unsecured garbage cans, dumpsters or other recepticles in a manner that could result in subsequent removal by individuals for their own use and for sale to others.

PARTICULAR CARE SHOULD BE USED WHEN HANDLING AND DISPOSING OF CANS THAT SHOW SIGNS OF SWELLING OR LEAKAGE TO PREVENT ANY HUMAN EXPOSURE TO THE CONTENTS OF THE CANS.

FDA link to Castleberry Recall- www.fda.gov/oc/ocacom/hottopics/castleberry.html