An adult couple from Indiana and two young siblings from Texas have been hospitalized with botulism. The illness appears to be linked to hot dog chili sauce, which has been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer. The four individuals, while seriously ill, are expected to survive.
Chili Sauce Botulism Recall
The recall covers 10-ounce cans of Castleberry’s, Austex and Kroger brands of hot dog chili sauce. The “best by” dates on the cans fall between April 30, 2009, and May 22, 2009. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) press release on this recall, dated July 18, also provides UPC codes for the products.
The FDA is investigating Castleberry’s Augusta, Georgia, plant where the chili sauce was canned. Castleberry is owned by Bumble Bee Seafoods LLC.
Previous Botulism Outbreaks
Medical epidemiologist Dr. Michael Lynch of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that the last case of botulism connected with commercially canned products occurred in the U.S. in the 1970s. Cases of botulism reported during the intervening years generally have concerned home-canned foods, he said.
Botulism and Botulism Symptoms
Botulism is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulism is a serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin, which blocks nerve function, leading to respiratory and musculoskeletal paralysis. The illness is most typically characterized by double vision, inability to swallow, difficulty speaking, and inability to breathe. Botulism can be fatal.
For more information about botulism, please visit www.botulismlegalhelp.com.
You can view the FDA press release about the current recall at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01669.html.
Contact The Weinberg Law Firm for a Free Botulism Lawsuit Evaluation
Located in New Brunswick New Jersey, The Law Firm of Eric Weinberg is currently assisting victims of food poisoning outbreaks nationwide. If you or a loved one has been sickened in a botulism outbreak, and you have a question regarding a potential food poisoning lawsuit, please contact us toll free at 1-877-934-6274.
The New Jersey Firm of Eric Weinberg
Since 1984, The Weinberg Law Firm has been assisting personal injury victims and product liability victims. Our lawyers are available to assist in the following matters: medical malpractice lawsuits, dangerous drug lawsuits, defective medical device lawsuits; food poisoning lawsuits, car accident lawsuits, and truck accident lawsuits.
