Warning: Dog/Cat Food Recall

[Miss Cassandra]

Major known brands have been corrupted. If you have pets, this does concern you. It is hards to believe when you see the list of so many poisonings, there have been so many hurt animals over this mess. Everyone should know this information before going to the grocery store and buying pet food. Human canned goods are being affected as well. Here are some links of the affected brands:

Recalled Foods

Recalled Foods

Its hard to believe that this all happened last month, and some people are still out of the know. If anyone hears of any new recalls, I hope that they post them and share the information with everyone for their pets (and ours!) safety. I would hate for someones beloved pets to die, out of something completely preventable. Everyone take care and caution with your pets and your families!


Botulism Case Reported in U.S. Food Recall

United Press International

July 31, 2007

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said a San Diego woman was diagnosed with botulism, possibly caused by eating a can of recalled chili and beans.

The FDA said the unidentified 51-year-old woman's illness might be associated with a recall by the Castleberry Food Co. of various brands and varieties of foods, including hot dog chili sauce, chili sauce with and without beans, corned been hash, BBQ pork, sausage gravy, chipped beef gravy and beef stew.

The brand names under which the foods were sold include Austex, Best Yet, Big Y, Black Rock, Bloom, Bryan, Bunker Hill, Castleberry's, Cattle Drive, Firefighter's, Food Club, Food Lion, Georgia Hash, Goldstar, Great Value (Canada only) , Kroger, Lowes, Meijer, Morton House, Paramount, Piggly Wiggly, Prudence, Southern Home, Steak N Shake, Thrifty Maid, Triple Bar and Value Time.

Also included in the nationwide recall were various brands of Natural Balance canned dog food, also produced by the Augusta, Ga., company.

A detailed list of the recalled human foods is available at fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp.

Consumers with questions can contact the company at 800-203-4412 or 888-203-8446.

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, calves, etc. Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided. 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.


The disease has only been seen occasionally in dogs. Ferrets are highly susceptible to botulinum toxin. The incubation period can be 2 hours to 2 weeks; in most cases, the symptoms appear after 12 to 24 hours. Botulism is characterized by progressive motor paralysis. Typical clinical signs may include muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing, visual disturbances and generalized weakness may also occur. Death usually results from paralysis of the respiratory or cardiac muscles. Pet owners who have used these products and whose pets have these symptoms should contact their veterinarian immediately. At this time we are not aware of pet illnesses associated with these products although we recommend that all these products should be discarded.

WASHINGTON—A nationwide recall of certain canned human food and dog food products manufactured by Castleberry Food Company of Augusta, GA., was announced on July 18 and expanded on July 21.

As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are warning consumers not to open or eat canned products identified as part of the recall or to feed any of the canned products to their pets. These products may contain hazardous botulinum toxin. Botulism can be fatal. Human illnesses have been associated with two of the recalled human food products.

FDA and USDA are currently asking retailers and foodservice operations to respond immediately to remove and secure recalled products, making sure that all recalled products are not inadvertently made available for purchase, salvage or donation and therefore preventing any possibility for human or animal consumption.

Castleberry Food Company has established a plan for recalling its affected products. Retailers should follow the instructions received from the company or its distribution centers for removing, marking and securing the products. Further suggestions for the proper removal of recalled products from further circulation and disposal of recalled products are provided below.

All recalled products should be removed from store shelves and separated from other stock immediately. If possible, use additional safeguards, such as locking out the UPC codes at check-out, to ensure these products are not sold to consumers and cashiers informed of the hazard and cautioned not to override the lockout.

Removed recalled products should be kept in a secure area and identified with signs that have bold, clear lettering indicating that the products pose an extreme health hazard. Removed recalled products need to be clearly marked to prevent restocking, re-entry into commerce (including donation to food or pet food banks), or diversion to food or pet food salvage operations. Consider shrink wrapping recalled products to ensure they do not accidentally find their way back into commerce.

Recalled products should be isolated from other stock, secured and tagged for pick-up or disposal as directed by Castleberry 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 of by placing them in unsecured garbage cans, dumpsters or other receptacles in a manner that could result in subsequent removal by individuals for their own use or 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.

Opened containers of the recalled products or any foods made with the recalled products should be discarded with extreme care. An open container of a food included in this recall should be disposed of as follows: 1) place the open container in a sealable plastic bag 2) place the sealed plastic bag containing the open product inside two additional plastic bags and then tightly tape the bags closed and 3) place the sealed/taped plastic bags containing the opened product in a secure trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash. Do not discard any of the recalled food in a sink, garbage disposal or toilet.

Wear rubber gloves when handling open containers of suspect food. Wash hands thoroughly after handling suspect food or containers. Take care to avoid splashing or inhaling food when discarding it. Avoid contact with the skin or eyes. Sponges, cloths, rags and gloves that may have come into contact with contaminated food or containers should be discarded with the food.

Employees should be informed of the hazard associated with the recalled products. Signs should be posted on removed recalled products to inform employees on all shifts that the product is hazardous and being held for disposal.

Store employees should alert consumers to the recall and the serious health hazard associated with exposure to the toxin. Consider posting signs on shelves and elsewhere in the store, and using other means of shopper notification to warn consumers not to open, taste or eat the recalled products. Inform consumers that any recalled products in their homes should be discarded carefully. More information for consumers is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Clostridium botulinum - Questions and Answers website.

Distribution centers and retail food stores may be visited by Federal, state or local officials conducting checks to determine the extent to which recalled product is being taken out of circulation. These officials will ask questions about the recall notification received, actions taken as a result of the notification, and status of recalled product in your establishment.

Castleberry Food Company recommends that consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall visit the company´s website (www.castleberrys.com) or call its consumer hotline at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446.

Consumers and others with questions can also call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).
Additional information is available at:
FDA - FDA Expands Its Nationwide Warning About the Risk of Botulism Poisoning From Certain Castleberry’s Food Products and Dog Food (July 21, 2007)
FSIS - Georgia Firm Expands Recall of Canned Meat Products That May Contain Clostridium botulinum (July 21, 2007)
FDA - Chili Products (Botulism) Recall