County alerts public to check cupboards after expanded food recall

The Castleberry Food Company has voluntarily expanded its recall of canned chili and meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum, prompting county officials to set up a consumer food complaint hotline. Consumers who bought recalled food items can report where the products where purchased by calling the hotline at (619) 338-2283. In addition, the County Department of Environmental Health is actively working with Costco and other stores to ensure that the products are being removed.

Castleberry originally recalled only 10 products on July 18, but now there are more than 25 brand names listed. Some of the brands included in the expanded recall are Cattle Drive, Castleberry, Austex and Kroger. Castleberry Food Company is owned by San Diego-based Bumble Bee Seafoods.

Consumers are encouraged to check their cupboards for any of the brands of chili, corned beef and other meat products subject to the recall. Consumers who have any of the products listed are urged not to eat them but rather return or dispose of them.

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 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms should immediately see their medical provider.

The full list of products subject to the FDA and USDA recalls are posted at http://www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp. Consumers with questions about the recall can call the company’s consumer hotline at (888) 203-8446.