Georgia Processor Expands Contaminated Meat Recall
Pastor Dale Morgan
Georgia Processor Expands Contaminated Meat Recall*
Sunday July 22, 2007 2:16 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) - A Georgia meat processor on Saturday expanded its
recall of canned meat products that may be connected to a botulism outbreak.
Castleberry's Food Co. of Augusta recalled more than 70 brands of canned
chili, beef stew, corned beef hash and other meat products in addition
to the 10 brands it had recalled Thursday.
Cans of chili sauce made at the Castleberry's plant were found in the
homes of an Indiana couple and two children in Texas who had been
hospitalized with botulism. All four are expected to survive.
Botulism is a muscle-paralyzing disease caused by a toxin made by a
bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. Such bacteria are commonly found in soil.
The Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said
Thursday that an equipment malfunction may have been responsible for the
contamination.
On Saturday, FSIS said the malfunctions at the Augusta processing plant
may have existed longer than initially estimated.
Castleberry's, which is owned by Bumble Bee Seafoods LLC and based in
San Diego, voluntarily expanded the recall.
Brand names of the recalled products include Austex, Best Yet, Big Y,
Black Rock, Bryan, Bunker Hill, Castle, Castleberry's, Cattle Drive,
Firefighter, Food Club, Georgia, Goldstar, Great Value, Kroger, Lowes,
Meijer, Morton House, Paramount, Piggly Wiggly, Prudence, Southern Home,
Steak N Shake, Thrifty Maid, Triple Bar and Value Time.
Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Castleberry's at
1-888-203-8446.
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On the Net:
Castleberry's Food Co.: http://www.castleberrys.com/
Food Safety and Inspection Service: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Home/index.asp