Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is alerting consumers to a nationwide recall of green beans and garbanzo beans due to the risk of botulism.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that New Era Canning Company, New Era, Mich., is expanding its product recall because of potential Clostridium botulinum contamination to all canned green beans and garbanzo beans distributed by the company nationwide over the last five years. Clostridium botulinum can cause botulism, a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition. The affected cans are large institutional-sized containers weighing six to seven pounds.
According to the company, codes on the affected products begin with the numbers “00249,” or the letters “GREEN” or “GARB.” This recall does not include Italian Green Beans because that is a different product. This recall only affects the products in the large #10 cans, the majority of which were potentially sold nationwide to various food service customers. However, these products may also have been sold at retail stores.
T
he code on the cans may be embossed (stamped into the metal of the can) or printed in ink on one of the metal can ends. Examples of how a code may appear on a can of green beans are: "00249 2BH7FL", "00249 1515 2BH7FL", "GREEN 2BH7FL" or "GREEN 1515 2BH7FL". (These are not necessarily actual can codes). Examples of how a code may appear on a can of garbanzo beans are: "00249 34F7LG", "00249 1515 34F7LG", "GARB 34F7LG" or "GARB 1515 34F7LG". (These are not necessarily actual can codes).
Any food that may be contaminated should be disposed of carefully. Even tiny amounts of toxins ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin can cause serious illness. Skin contact should be avoided as much as possible, and the hands should be washed immediately after handling the food. Customers who have the product or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. Double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Restaurants and institutions are encouraged to assure that such products are only placed in locked receptacles which are not accessible to the public.
Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm. Anyone with questions can call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
Customers with questions may contact New Era Canning at 1-800-282-9007 Ext. 111.
For more information visit the following links:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/newera.html.
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/newera201_08.html
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01782.html
FDA notes that New Era produces canned products under other brand names and labels. Therefore, the recalled products may not necessarily be labeled with New Era's name. Also, the cans may bear a variety of product codes or no codes at all. Regardless of brand name or label, or the presence or absence of a code, the recalled cans should not be opened or used, and should be disposed of properly. Consumers who are not sure if a product is subject to the recall should still throw it out as a precaution.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first, then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, and calves. Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.
Individuals who have these symptoms and who may have recently eaten the products under recall or other food products made with them should seek immediate medical attention.
