News Releases > Health officials advise consumers of canned food recall

 ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (Jan. 25, 2008) - Health officials are warning consumers to be watchful of any signs or symptoms of  food-borne illness as a result of a nationwide recall of commercially-canned green beans and garbanzo beans.

 Michigan-based New Era Canning Company has recalled all cans of green bean and garbanzo beans distributed by the company over the last five years because they may have been contaminated by Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium which causes botulism, a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition.  In addition, limited quantities of other canned products such as Mexican-style chili beans have been recalled in earlier announcements from the company. Visit www.fda.gov for a complete list.

The affected cans are large institutional-sized containers, weighing about six and a half pounds. More than 60 products were distributed to retailers, restaurants, schools, foodservice institutions and other facilities nationwide under various labeled brands.

To date, no illnesses have been reported from these products. However, consumers who have these product or any foods made with these products should immediately double-bag and throw the cans and food away.

Officials with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health have conducted onsite checks of retailers, schools and restaurants and have found that some of the recalled products in question have been used in recent weeks. 

Because there is no way to know for sure which institutions have already served the product, consumers should monitor themselves for signs and symptoms of food-borne illness.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from 6 hours to 10 days after eating food that contains the toxin and may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred

speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body starting at the head, and then descending to the arms, torso, and legs.  Botulism poisoning can also lead to paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.

Individuals who are experiencing these symptoms and who may have recently eaten the beans currently under recall or other foods made with these items should seek immediate medical attention.

For more information, visit the health department’s Web site at www.fw-ac-deptofhealth.com, or go to www.fda.gov. Consumers can also call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

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