MARTINSBURG — Recalled food products that may be contaminated with botulinum toxin have been found on shelves in Eastern Panhandle stores, officials with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture announced Friday.
On July 18, Castleberry’s Food Company of Atlanta, Ga., announced a voluntary recall of canned meat, chili and pet food products that could have been affected by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which results in botulism poisoning when ingested.
Inspectors with the Department of Agriculture visited stores in Charleston, Morgantown and the Eastern Panhandle, and found the products in all three areas, said Buddy Davidson, communications officer with the department.
Since the first recall announcement, other products have been added to the list, Davidson said. Many retailers may have heard the first warning, but not the expanded recall list, which includes hot dog chili distributed under brands like Food Lion, Bloom and Best Yet. Natural Balance dog foods may be affected, along with chili and canned meat products with the brand names Kroger, Firefighter, Southern Home, Steak ‘N’ Shake, Piggly-Wiggly and Georgia.
“It’s not a case of retailers being reluctant to pull these products,” he said, adding that in previous recalls, stores across the state were very compliant. “It’s just ... that they’re not aware of it.”
Davidson said more products in other areas of the state will likely be found on shelves as well, as the department’s seven inspectors visit additional stores. When inspectors find recalled products on store shelves during their regular inspections, they meet with store managers to notify them of the removal procedures.
Retailers are compensated for the recalled products they can’t sell, Davidson said.
At first, the recall only included products on the list that were marked with a “best by” date of APR30 2009 through MAY22 2009. Now, however, the recall includes all dates of the particular products manufactured by the specified brands to be “extra safe,” Davidson said.
“With recalls of this mass quantity, we’re usually dealing with things that can make people really sick,” he said.
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On July 18, Castleberry’s Food Company of Atlanta, Ga., announced a voluntary recall of canned meat, chili and pet food products that could have been affected by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which results in botulism poisoning when ingested.
Inspectors with the Department of Agriculture visited stores in Charleston, Morgantown and the Eastern Panhandle, and found the products in all three areas, said Buddy Davidson, communications officer with the department.
Since the first recall announcement, other products have been added to the list, Davidson said. Many retailers may have heard the first warning, but not the expanded recall list, which includes hot dog chili distributed under brands like Food Lion, Bloom and Best Yet. Natural Balance dog foods may be affected, along with chili and canned meat products with the brand names Kroger, Firefighter, Southern Home, Steak ‘N’ Shake, Piggly-Wiggly and Georgia.
“It’s not a case of retailers being reluctant to pull these products,” he said, adding that in previous recalls, stores across the state were very compliant. “It’s just ... that they’re not aware of it.”
Davidson said more products in other areas of the state will likely be found on shelves as well, as the department’s seven inspectors visit additional stores. When inspectors find recalled products on store shelves during their regular inspections, they meet with store managers to notify them of the removal procedures.
Retailers are compensated for the recalled products they can’t sell, Davidson said.
At first, the recall only included products on the list that were marked with a “best by” date of APR30 2009 through MAY22 2009. Now, however, the recall includes all dates of the particular products manufactured by the specified brands to be “extra safe,” Davidson said.
“With recalls of this mass quantity, we’re usually dealing with things that can make people really sick,” he said.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
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