Consumers may have heard about the Castleberry Food Co. voluntary recall of some of its canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum — a type of bacteria that causes botulism. Two people in Texas and two people in Indiana have become seriously ill and have been hospitalized associated with eating Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, but dog owners should be aware certain dog food products are being recalled as well.
Products affected include Natural Balance Eatable dog food varieties:
- Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food; 15-ounce packages with USPC code 23633-59860
- Chinese Take Out with Sauce withVegetables and Chicken Dog Food; 15-ounce packages with USPC code 23633-59861
- Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food; 15-ounce packages with USPC code 23633-59862
- Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food; 15-ounce packages with USPC code 23633-59863
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says dog owners should throw any of these products or any foods made with these products away immediately. Double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside the home.
At press time, no pet illnesses associated with these products have been reported. However, the FDA still recommends that these products be discarded.
Signs of botulism in dogs can begin from 2 hours to 2 weeks after ingesting contaminated food; in most cases, after 12 to 24 hours. Symptoms include:
- Progressive motor paralysis.
- Muscle paralysis.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing.
- Visual disturbances.
- Generalized weakness.
- Paralysis of the respiratory or cardiac muscles.
The FDA urges dog owners to contact their veterinarian immediately if a dog shows any of these symptoms.
“Production has ceased, products are on hold and will not be distributed and production will not resume until the FDA is satisfied that all conditions that resulted in this recall and dangerous products have been corrected,” Captain David Elder, director of the Office of Enforcement, Office of Regulatory Affairs, said in a Monday press conference.
For more information, visit www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp or www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/castleberry07_07.html.