Castleberry Recall
Castleberry Food Co. and the Food and Drug Administration have issued two canned food recalls since problems were first detected in May 2007. The Castleberry recall includes tens of millions of cans for more than 80 types of canned meat products and pet food.
The link between Castleberry foods and botulism
FDA officials first uncovered the link between botulism and Castleberry canned foods two months ago. Inspectors found that two people in Texas and two in Indiana who were hospitalized with botulism had eaten Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
Sixteen out of 17 cans tested by the FDA contained the toxin that causes botulism.
An inspection of Castleberry’s plant in Augusta, Georgia revealed that 16 out of 17 cans tested by the FDA contained the toxin that causes botulism.
A recall and then another
Based on this information, the agency issued the first Castleberry recall on July 18. A second canned food recall was issued by the FDA five days later.
In addition to hot dog chili sauce, the Castleberry recall includes chili, stew, hash, gravy and pet food manufactured by the company. The products involved in the canned food recall are also sold under the brands Austex, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly, Big Y and several other names.
The Department of Agriculture says that an equipment malfunction at Castleberry’s plant may have caused the manufacturing defect that led to the problem and thus the canned food recall. According to a company spokesman, some cans were being overheated, which caused them to expand and allow the botulism toxin to enter before cooling.
Castleberry says that the plant will remain closed until it has been fully inspected by health officials.
