July 19, 2007: Four Hospitalized with Botulism Linked to Hot Dog Chili Sauce

July 19th, 2007

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.

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.

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 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. An individual with botulism may experience double vision, blurred vision, dry mouth, inability to swallow, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, and an inability to breathe. Botulism can be fatal, and medical attention should be sought immediately.

For more information about botulism, please visit the following page on this website: botulism food poisoning.

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the country. If you believe that you are the victim of foodborne botulism, please contact us at our toll free number 1-877-934-6274, or click on Free Case Evaluation.  Please see food poisoning lawyer to learn more about our law firm.

For news on recent food poisoning outbreaks, please see Salmonella Pot Pies, Pot Pie Recall, Staph Food Poisoning Lawyer, and Claudia Sanders Food Poisoning Lawyer. To learn more about our work in the area of pharmaceutical litigation, please see Levaquin Lawsuits, Heparin Lawsuits, and YAZ and Yasmin Lawyers.

Entry Filed under: Recent Outbreaks and Food Recalls