Check your pantry shelves for canned meat products made by Castleberry, Rowan County public health officials say.
They won’t all bear the Castleberry label.
Rowan officials have joined others across the nation in warning consumers and retailers to dispose of the products, which have been recalled nationwide for possible contamination with the dangerous botulism toxin.
The ongoing Castleberry canned food recall involves 25 different brands of chili, beef stew, corned beef hash and flavors of canned dog food.
The recall includes more than 80 products canned at Castleberry’s plant in Augusta, Ga., and was announced July 18 after four cases of botulism were confirmed in Texas and Indiana.
Since the recall was expanded July 21, there has been another case in California and unconfirmed cases in Hawaii and New Mexico.
Most of the affected products will not have the Castleberry name on the label. A list of the recalled products is available online at www.fsis.usda.gov.
State and local officials continue to remove recalled product from store shelves.
Locations where the product may be used include sporting events, family outings and youth events. If you see these recalled products in any food establishment, report it to the store manager and the local health department.
Other establishments that may have these products include food pantries, flea markets, convenience stores, food banks, independent grocers, day cares and nursing homes.
“Botulism is a serious and sometimes fatal disease, so it is vitally important that you take the right steps to remove these products from your home or store shelves,” said Leonard Wood, Rowan County health director. “There have been no cases of botulism reported in association with this recall in our county or state. I want to make sure the public is fully informed about this recall. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.”
If you have an unopened can of one of the recalled products, do not open or puncture it. Place the can in a sealable bag, wrap two additional plastic bags around it and tape it tightly. Return the product to the store where it was purchased or dispose of it in a trash receptacle with lid 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 two minutes.
Wood said residents should use extreme caution when disposing of opened or leaky cans. A good rule of thumb, he said, is to wear rubber or latex gloves and eye protection when placing the product in sealable, plastic bag and disposing of it in a trash receptacle with lid.
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin. Symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness. The illness can cause paralysis, respiratory failure and death. Symptoms usually occur from 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food.
For further information on the recalled products, contact the local health department at 704-216-8525. Information about botulism or disposal guidelines can be obtained online at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, www.cdc.gove/botulism.