Canned French Style Beans Recalled In US And Canada

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Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Public Health
Article Date: 03 Aug 2007 - 7:00 PDT

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Some 15,000 cases of French Style Green Beans in 14.5 ounce cans made by Lakeside Foods, and bearing some 20 different brands are being recalled in the US and Canada as a precaution against potential foodborne illnesses such as botulism. As yet no illnesses have been reported.

The announcements were made on Wednesday and Thursday this week by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Lakeside Foods Inc of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, US, the producer of the affected product.

The food producer found food safety had been breached during a routine inspection: some cans may have been underprocessed (not enough heat) and some may have leaks, allowing possible contamination by dangerous organisms such as Clostridium botulinum which causes botulism, a potentially deadly form of food poisoning.

So far, none of the cans tested shows signs of botulinum toxin, and according to a statement from the FDA and the producer, the "company continues to test out of an abundance of caution".

The producer said in a prepared statement that it had "identified and corrected the condition that resulted in its decision to voluntarily recall the cans in question" and that none of its other products is affected.

Food poisoning from Clostridium botulinum can kill and starts with the following symptoms: general weakness or feeling of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dry throat, headache, dizziness, double vision and difficulty speaking or swallowing. Other symptoms include trouble with breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distention and constipation.

If you have these symptoms go and see a doctor. If you know anyone who has these symptoms, suggest they see a doctor.

Product Identification
If you have bought any of the products described here, throw it away, even if when you open the can it looks or smells OK.

The products affected are the "French Style Green Beans" in 14.5 oz cans and contain one of the following codes in the top line of the can code:

EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227 and ECB5307.

If you have any cans like this you should return them unopened to the place you bought them from.

Brands
The product is sold under the following labels:

ALBERTSON'S
HAPPY HARVEST
BEST CHOICE
FOOD CLUB
BOGOPA
VALU TIME
HILL COUNTRY FARE
HEB
LAURA LYNN
KROGER
NO NAME
NORTH PRIDE
SCHNUCKS
SHOP N SAVE
SHOPPERS VALU
CUB FOODS
DIERBERGS
FLAVORITE
IGA, and
THRIFTY MAID

Distribution
According to the FDA and food producer's statements, the cans were distributed in the following regions:

In the US (20 states): AL, AZ, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, OK, TN, TX, VA, WI.

In Canada: according to the CFIA, the product was also distributed in Ontario and the Western provinces.

Further information
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-466-3834, Ext. 4090.
Contact Canadian Food Inspection Agency at at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

Click here to keep up to date with this product recall (food producer's website).

Click here for more information on foodborne illnesses (Canadian Food Inspection Agency).

Click here for FDA (US).

Written by: Catharine Paddock
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today