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Botulism Risk from Canned Green Beans

FDA is warning consumers about potentially contaminated canned cut green beans manufactured by New Era Canning Company, New Era, Mich. New Era is voluntarily recalling the green beans because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), the bacterium that causes botulism.

Botulism is a life-threatening illness. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this incident.

About the Product

The green beans are labeled, "GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans."

The green beans were distributed to retailers, restaurants, and food service institutions by Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, Mich., with lot code 19H7FL and UPC code 93901 11873, in large institutional-sized, 6 pound 5 ounce (#10) cans.

The green beans were distributed to food service customers in the following states:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia

The green beans were also sold through GFS Marketplace stores in

• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Tennessee

Botulism Symptoms

Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Call your doctor immediately if you have recently eaten the cut green beans under recall and have any of the following symptoms:

• double vision
• blurred vision
• drooping eyelids
• slurred speech
• difficulty swallowing
• muscle weakness that affects the shoulders, then moves to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, and calves
• paralysis of the breathing muscles

Steps for Consumers

• Throw away immediately any cans of the recalled green beans or any food made with them.
• Avoid skin contact when throwing away the green beans and wash hands immediately after handling them. Even tiny amounts of the C. botulinum toxin ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin can cause serious illness.
• Double-bag the cans in plastic bags before throwing away. Make sure bags are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home.

What is FDA Doing?

FDA learned of the potential contamination on Dec. 20, when testing products collected during an FDA inspection. FDA is working closely with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and New Era to identify all products that may be involved. The Michigan Department of Agriculture seized most canned products in the company's warehouses.

For More Information
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/botulism_g.htm

If you have questions, call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

Date Posted: December 26, 2007

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