Health

Augusta, GA--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--August 1, 2007--Citing a continuing threat to public health, Castleberry’s Food Company is urging retailers, food service operations, food banks, charitable organizations and consumers to be diligent in identifying and discarding canned products subject to Castleberry’s national recall.

“Our primary focus is making sure that no potentially contaminated products are on grocery shelves, in peoples’ homes or in emergency food supplies,” said Steve Mavity, SVP Technical Services/Quality Assurance for Castleberry’s. “Surveys by our own audit team, as well as those by inspectors from federal, state and local health agencies, confirm that some retail outlets, especially smaller independent and convenience stores, may still have recalled products available for sale. We are renewing our warning not to sell, open, or consume these products.”

Castleberry’s voluntarily instituted the recall on July 18 due to the risk of botulinum toxin, a toxin which can cause botulism, a potentially life-threatening illness. The company broadened the scope of its recall on July 21 and has temporarily ceased production in its Augusta, Ga. plant, where it is suspected that there was a processing problem on one of the facility’s canning lines. Castleberry’s continues to work with the FDA and USDA to identify and correct any production issues.

What Consumers and Retailers Should Do
“Consumers, retailers, restaurants, food pantries and others should reconfirm that all products included in the recall, regardless of best-by date, are immediately disposed of,” Mavity said. “Check the product description and can size of products included in the recall and follow disposal instructions communicated by Castleberry’s and recommended by governmental agencies. In addition, consumers should notify family members and friends about the recall.”

Mavity added, “To strengthen our outreach to smaller independent grocers, gas stations, and convenience stores, we’ve re-directed all of our direct retailer, distributor and wholesaler customers to contact their respective customers downstream, to ensure they are aware of the recall and follow the proper removal and disposal instructions.”

Castleberry’s will assist retailers in disposing of the products through Carolina Supply Chain Services (CSCS). The retailer/distributor hotline to arrange for pickup is 1-800- 821-5293. “CSCS will arrange for immediate collection,” Mavity said.

In disposing of any cans that remain in homes, or in retail establishments with just a few cans on hand, Castleberry’s and health officials are instructing people to double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed before being placed in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. If any of the cans are swollen, bulging or leaking, the consumer should put on gloves and eye protection before double-bagging and disposing of the cans. Slowly remove gloves and dispose of them after use. People should then wash their hands with soap and running water for at least two minutes.

Individuals who feel ill after handling or accidentally consuming any of the recalled products should seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms may include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, and trouble speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation are also common symptoms.

There is no need to return cans to stores. For refunds and answers to questions, consumers should contact the consumer hotline at 1-800-203-4412 or visit www.castleberrys.com

Outreach Efforts Continue

Since the recall was announced July 18, Castleberry’s has:

-- Issued public warnings through the news media

-- Established a toll-free hotline for consumers that has handled more than 20,000 calls

-- Posted recall information and guidance on the company’s Web site at www.castleberrys.com
-- Instituted a refund program available online or via mail (requiring no return of product to retailers)

-- Deployed recall audit teams to conduct on-site inspections at retail outlets across the country (as of July 31, more than 17,500 stores have been audited)

-- Placed recall advertising in consumer publications

-- Begun an effort to reach Spanish-speaking consumers and retailers (the company’s Espanol section of Web site dedicated to Spanish speakers will launch August 1)

Full Recalled Product Listing
“We want to remind consumers that as an added level of safety, we are recalling all products listed below, regardless of ‘best by dates’ printed on the cans,” Mavity said.  “We encourage consumers and retailers to focus on the product description and can size as these are the critical details in identifying the recalled products. In order to avoid any potential confusion around case and label UPC codes, we’re publishing the complete list without UPC codes.”

The products included in the voluntary recall have not changed since the recall was expanded on July 21.

Brand                            Product                    Can Size

Austex                           Beef Stew                  15oz

Austex                           Chili no Beans             15oz

Austex                           Chili no Beans             19oz

Austex                           Chili with Beans           15oz

Austex                           Chili with Beans           19oz

Austex                           Hot Dog Chili Sauce        10oz

Austex                           Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce  10oz

Best Yet                         Chili with Beans           15oz

Best Yet                         Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Big Y                            Chili no Beans             15oz

Big Y                            Chili with Beans           15oz

Big Y                            Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Black Rock                       Chili with Beans           15oz

Bloom                            Hot Dog Chili Sauce        10oz

Bryan                            Chili no Beans             15oz

Bryan                            Chili no Beans             10oz

Bryan                            Chili with Beans           15oz

Bryan                            Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Bryan                            Hot Dog Chili Sauce           
                                 with Beef                  10oz

Bunker Hill                      Chili no Beans             10oz

Bunker Hill                      Hot Dog Chili Sauce        10oz

Bunker Hill                      Spicier Chili no Beans     10oz

Castleberry's                    Barbecue Beef              10oz

Castleberry's                    Barbecue Pork                 
                                 in Barbecue Sauce          10oz

Castleberry's                    Barbecue Pork                 
                                 in Barbecue Sauce          14.5oz

Castleberry's                    Beef Stew                  15oz

Castleberry's                    Brunswick Beef Stew           
                                 Chicken & Beef             15oz

Castleberry's                    Chili no Beans             10oz

Castleberry's                    Chili no Beans             15oz

Castleberry's                    Chili with Beans           15oz

Castleberry's                    Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Castleberry's                    Creamed Chip Beef Gravy    10oz

Castleberry's                    Georgia Hash               15oz

Castleberry's                    Hot Chili with Beans       15oz

Castleberry's                    Hot Dog Chili Sauce        10oz

Castleberry's                    Onion Hot Dog                 
                                 Chili Sauce                10oz

Castleberry's                    Sausage Gravy              10oz

Cattle Drive                     Beef Stew (Steak)          15oz

Cattle Drive                     Chicken Chili with Beans   15oz

Cattle Drive                     Chili no Beans             15oz

Cattle Drive                     Chili with Beans           15oz

Firefighters                     Chicken Chili with Beans   15oz

Firefighters                     Chili no Beans             15oz

Firefighters                     Chili with Beans           15oz

Food Club                        Chili no Beans             15oz

Food Club                        Chili with Beans           15oz

Food Club                        Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Food Lion                        Hot Dog Chili Sauce        10oz

Goldstar                         Chili                      15oz

Goldstar                         Original Chili             10oz

Goldstar                         Tex-Mex Chili with Beans   15oz

Great Value (Canada Only)        Chili with Beans           15oz

Great Value (Canada Only)        Hot Chili with Beans       15oz

Kroger                           Beef Stew                  15oz

Kroger                           Chili no Beans             15oz

Kroger                           Chili with Beans           15oz

Kroger                           Hot Dog Chili Sauce        10oz

Lowes Foods                      Chili no Beans             15oz

Lowes Foods                      Chili with Beans           15oz

Lowes Foods                      Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Meijer                           Chili no Beans             15oz

Meijer                           Chili with Beans           15oz

Meijer                           Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Meijer                           Hot Dog Chili Sauce        10oz

Morton House                     Chili with Beans
                                 (Beef & Chicken)           15oz

Morton House                     Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Paramount                        Chili Hot Dog Chili        15oz

Paramount                        Chili no Beans             15oz

Paramount                        Chili with Beans           15oz

Paramount                        Hot Dog Chili Sauce        10oz

Piggly Wiggly                    Chili no Beans             10oz

Piggly Wiggly                    Chili no Beans             15oz

Piggly Wiggly                    Chili with Beans           15oz

Piggly Wiggly                    Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Prudence                         Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Southern Home                    Chili no Beans             15oz

Southern Home                    Chili no Beans             10oz

Southern Home                    Chili with Beans           15oz

Southern Home                    Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Steak 'n Shake                   Chili with Beans           10oz

Thrifty Maid                     Chili with Beans           15oz

Thrifty Maid                     Corned Beef Hash           15oz

Thrifty Maid                     Hot Dog Chili Sauce        10oz

Triple Bar Ranch                 Chili no Beans             15oz

Triple Bar Ranch                 Chili with Beans           15oz

Triple Bar Ranch                 Chili with Beans              
                                 Slow Cooked                15oz

Value Time                       Beef and Chicken
                                 Chili with Beans           15oz

Pet Food Products
Natural Balance                 
Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken
15oz

Natural Balance                 
Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with Chicken and Pasta
15oz

Natural Balance
Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew with Beef, Potatoes and Carrots       
15oz

Natural Balance   
Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings with Chicken and Vegetables
15oz

Web Site Information and Resource
Complete information on the Castleberry’s recall for consumers and retailers is available by visiting:

www.castleberrys.com

www.cfsan.fda.gov

www.fsis.usda.gov/

www.cdc.gov/botulism/