FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2007

Health Department Issues Reminder
Warning on Castleberry Food Recall

Jefferson City, Missouri -- The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is reminding consumers and food retailers to make sure any and all products subject to the Castleberry recall are removed from sale and distribution. These products may be contaminated with botulinum toxin.

According to the department, while more than 5,000 retail stores across the country had been visited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as of July 27, recalled product was found available for consumer purchase in about 300 of them. These were primarily small, independent grocers, convenience stores, salvage stores, and food pantries.

According to Daryel Brock, Chief of the Bureau of Environmental Regulations and Licensure, the department is also concerned that consumers may still have product in their homes.

"We are urging everyone to go through their pantries and cupboards to be sure they don't have any of the recalled products on their shelves," Brock said. "Anyone who finds any of the recalled products should double bag and discard the product in a non−recycling trashcan," Brock added.

Brock said the department also urges staff at food pantries and smaller retail stores to physically check their inventory for the presence of any recalled product and remove it from distribution. He said if any of the products subject to the Castleberry recall are found on the shelves for sale, store operators should remove the can label, double−bag the cans in sealed plastic bags and discard the items in the trash.

Due to the severity of the consequences if someone consumes contaminated product, federal, state and local health officials are continuing to visit retailers to assure that recalled products are removed from store shelves so that it is no longer available for consumers.

Botulinum toxin is a potent nerve toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria can grow in under−processed or improperly sealed canned foods. Due to medical advances and better treatment, the death rate associated with botulism has dropped from 50 percent to less than 10 percent. A healthy individual who is exposed to the toxin and seeks immediate medical attention will probably not be permantly harmed, however, if symptoms go un−diagnosed, treatment and recovery are more complicated, ranging from having to be put on a breathing assistance machine, to the possibility of death.

Information on the recalled products, including a list of the specific products, is available on the DHSS Food Safety website.