FDA Expands Hot Dog Chili Sauce Recall to 10 Brands

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 23 -- Based on botulism toxin tests at an Augusta, Ga., food processing plant, the FDA has expanded its warning about chili dog sauce to include 10 canned sauces and four pet food products.

Last week the FDA recalled three canned sauces made at the Castleberry Food Company and said that two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate the products became seriously ill and were hospitalized.

The recalled sauces are all sold in 10-ounce cans. The brands and UPC codes include:

• Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce, UPC 30300-97101
• Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, UPC 30300-99533 ?
• Castleberry's Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce, UPC 30300-07101
• Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce, UPC 75266-04152
• Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce, UPC 11110-83942 ?
• Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce, UPC 41250-85862 ?
• Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce, UPC 35826-06911 ?
• Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce, UPC 25439-92448 ?
• Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce, UPC 21140-21367
• Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce UPC, 30300-00101

Recalled pet foods, which are sold in 15-ounce cans, include:

• Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food, UPC 23633-59860 ?
• Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food, UPC 23633-59861
• Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Chicken and Vegetables ?Dog Food, UPC 23633-59862
• Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food, UPC 23633-59863 ?

In addition, Castleberry is recalling other products containing meat, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The list can be viewed at this link to the USDA website: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_Release/index.asp.

Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. The FDA recommends double-bagging the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm.

The previous recall and the known illnesses were linked to production dates of April 30 to May 22, 2007; the firm has now extended the recall to include all products listed regardless of "best by" date.

The FDA said Castleberry is cooperating in the recall of these products and has ceased processing and distribution.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains the toxin and include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that moves progressively from the upper body to lower extremities.

Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless mechanical ventilation is provided.

The disease has only been seen occasionally in dogs and has not been reported in cats, but ferrets are highly susceptible to botulinum toxin. The incubation period can be two hours to two weeks; in most cases, the symptoms appear after 12 to 24 hours.

In animals as in humans 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.

The FDA said that it was "not aware of pet illnesses associated with these products although we recommend that all these products should be discarded."

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state health departments.