Georgia Firm Recalls Canned Meat Products That May Contain Clostridium botulinum
Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-033-2007 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2007 – Castleberry’s Food Company, an Augusta, Ga., establishment owned by Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, is voluntarily recalling approximately 721,389 pounds of canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum as a result of an equipment malfunction, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

* 10-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s BUNKER HILL, ORIGINAL Chili NO BEANS.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195” inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/22/2009.”

* 15-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s CHILI WITH BEANS.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195” inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/17/2009.”

* 10-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s HICKORY SMOKED, OVEN ROASTED, WITH SKINS, BARBECUE PORK IN BARBECUE SAUCE.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195” inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/17/2009.”

* 15-ounce cans of “Cattle Drive CHILI WITH BEANS.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195” inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “4/30/2009,” “5/10/2009” or “5/21/2009.”

* 15-ounce cans of “Meijer CORNED BEEF HASH.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195” inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped a “best by” date of “5/3/2009.”

* 15-ounce cans of “MORTON HOUSE Corned Beef Hash.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195” inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/3/2009.”

* 15-ounce cans of “SOUTHERN HOME CORNED BEEF HASH.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195” inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/3/2009.”

The canned meat products were produced between April 30 and May 22, 2007 and were distributed to retail establishments in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The problem regarding the equipment malfunction was discovered during an investigation into illnesses in Indiana and Texas. The investigation led to a recall by the Food and Drug Administration of three types of meatless hotdog chili sauce.