07/29/2007

Father Fred Foundation warns canned foods may contain botulism

By VICTOR SKINNER

vskinner@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Canned food distributed by a local charitable organization is part of a national recall and may contain botulism.

The Father Fred Foundation is warning their clients that an unknown number of canned foods handed out between July 24 and July 26 may be included in a Food and Drug Administration recall, the nonprofit said in a written statement.

"Friday morning we got the long list of the food items and we immediately stopped giving away anything that resembles anything on the list,” said Norm Bamberg, operations director for Father Fred. "It is basically for any or our clients that came in between those three days. They need to check their pantry items for the items on the list and throw them out.”

The products, which include numerous brands and types of canned chili, stew, gravy, pork, beef and chicken, are part of Atlanta, Ga.-based Castleberry's Food Company's July 19 recall because of the potential presence of botulism, according to the FDA.

The recall includes some locally sold Meijer and Castleberry canned foods, Bamberg said.

"We had about 170 families that received groceries during that three-day period,” he said. "We are trying to warn all our clients that they might have received them.”

Botulism is rare but serious illness caused by a nerve toxin. Symptoms include dry mouth, muscle weakness, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and double or blurred vision, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms usually start roughly 18 to 36 hours after eating the contaminated food.

Consumers with questions or concerns about the recall can contact Castleberry's Food Company's consumer hotline at (888) 203-8446(*).