AUGUSTA, Ga. – Citing a continuing threat to public health, Castleberry’s Food Company is urging retailers, food service operations, food banks, charitable organizations and consumers to be diligent in identifying and discarding canned products subject to Castleberry’s national recall.

“Our primary focus is making sure that no potentially contaminated products are on grocery shelves, in peoples’ homes or in emergency food supplies,” said Steve Mavity, SVP Technical Services/Quality Assurance for Castleberry’s. “Surveys by our own audit team, as well as those by inspectors from federal, state and local health agencies, confirm that some retail outlets, especially smaller independent and convenience stores, may still have recalled products available for sale. We are renewing our warning not to sell, open, or consume these products.”

Castleberry’s voluntarily instituted the recall on July 18 due to the risk of botulinum toxin, a toxin which can cause botulism, a potentially life-threatening illness. The company broadened the scope of its recall on July 21 and has temporarily ceased production in its Augusta, Ga. plant, where it is suspected that there was a processing problem on one of the facility’s canning lines. Castleberry’s continues to work with the FDA and USDA to identify and correct any production issues.

What Consumers and Retailers Should Do

“Consumers, retailers, restaurants, food pantries and others should reconfirm that all products included in the recall, regardless of best-by date, are immediately disposed of,” Mavity said. “Check the product description and can size of products included in the recall and follow disposal instructions communicated by Castleberry?s and recommended by governmental agencies. In addition, consumers should notify family members and friends about the recall.”

Mavity added, “To strengthen our outreach to smaller independent grocers, gas stations, and convenience stores, we?ve re-directed all of our direct retailer, distributor and wholesaler customers to contact their respective customers downstream, to ensure they are aware of the recall and follow the proper removal and disposal instructions.”

Castleberry’s will assist retailers in disposing of the products through Carolina Supply Chain Services (CSCS). The retailer/distributor hotline to arrange for pickup is 1-800- 821-5293. “CSCS will arrange for immediate collection,” Mavity said.

In disposing of any cans that remain in homes, or in retail establishments with just a few cans on hand, Castleberry?s and health officials are instructing people to double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed before being placed in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. If any of the cans are swollen, bulging or leaking, the consumer should put on gloves and eye protection before double-bagging and disposing of the cans. Slowly remove gloves and dispose of them after use. People should then wash their hands with soap and running water for at least two minutes.

Individuals who feel ill after handling or accidentally consuming any of the recalled products should seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms may include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, and trouble speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation are also common symptoms.

There is no need to return cans to stores. For refunds and answers to questions, consumers should contact the consumer hotline at 1-800-203-4412 or visit http://www.castleberrys.com/.

Outreach Efforts Continue

Since the recall was announced July 18, Castleberry’s has:

? Issued public warnings through the news media

? Established a toll-free hotline for consumers that has handled more than 20,000 calls

? Posted recall information and guidance on the company?s Web site at www.castleberrys.com

? Instituted a refund program available online or via mail (requiring no return of product to retailers)

? Deployed recall audit teams to conduct on-site inspections at retail outlets across the country (as of July 31, more than 17,500 stores have been audited)

? Placed recall advertising in consumer publications

? Begun an effort to reach Spanish-speaking consumers and retailers (the company?s Espanol section of Web site dedicated to Spanish speakers will launch August 1)

Full Recalled Product Listing

“We want to remind consumers that as an added level of safety, we are recalling all products listed below, regardless of ‘best by dates’ printed on the cans,” Mavity said. “We encourage consumers and retailers to focus on the product description and can size as these are the critical details in identifying the recalled products. In order to avoid any potential confusion around case and label UPC codes, we?re publishing the complete list without UPC codes.”

The products included in the voluntary recall have not changed since the recall was expanded on July 21.

Brand Product Can Size

Austex Beef Stew 15oz

Austex Chili no Beans 15oz

Austex Chili no Beans 19oz

Austex Chili with Beans 15oz

Austex Chili with Beans 19oz

Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Best Yet Chili with Beans 15oz

Best Yet Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Big Y Chili no Beans 15oz

Big Y Chili with Beans 15oz

Big Y Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Black Rock Chili with Beans 15oz

Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Bryan Chili no Beans 15oz

Bryan Chili no Beans 10oz

Bryan Chili with Beans 15oz

Bryan Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Bryan Hot Dog Chili Sauce with Beef 10oz

Bunker Hill Chili no Beans 10oz

Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Bunker Hill Spicier Chili no Beans 10oz

Castleberry’s Barbecue Beef 10oz

Castleberry’s Barbecue Pork in Barbecue Sauce 10oz

Castleberry’s Barbecue Pork in Barbecue Sauce 14.5oz

Castleberry’s Beef Stew 15oz

Castleberry’s Brunswick Beef Stew

Chicken & Beef 15oz

Castleberry’s Chili no Beans 10oz

Castleberry’s Chili no Beans 15oz

Castleberry’s Chili with Beans 15oz

Castleberry’s Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Castleberry’s Creamed Chip Beef Gravy 10oz

Castleberry’s Georgia Hash 15oz

Castleberry’s Hot Chili with Beans 15oz

Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Castleberry’s Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Castleberry’s Sausage Gravy 10oz

Cattle Drive Beef Stew (Steak) 15oz

Cattle Drive Chicken Chili with Beans 15oz

Cattle Drive Chili no Beans 15oz

Cattle Drive Chili with Beans 15oz

Firefighters Chicken Chili with Beans 15oz

Firefighters Chili no Beans 15oz

Firefighters Chili with Beans 15oz

Food Club Chili no Beans 15oz

Food Club Chili with Beans 15oz

Food Club Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Goldstar Chili 15oz

Goldstar Original Chili 10oz

Goldstar Tex-Mex Chili with Beans 15oz

Great Value

(Canada Only) Chili with Beans 15oz

Great Value

(Canada Only) Hot Chili with Beans 15oz

Kroger Beef Stew 15oz

Kroger Chili no Beans 15oz

Kroger Chili with Beans 15oz

Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Lowes Foods Chili no Beans 15oz

Lowes Foods Chili with Beans 15oz

Lowes Foods Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Meijer Chili no Beans 15oz

Meijer Chili with Beans 15oz

Meijer Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Morton House Chili With Beans (Beef & Chicken) 15oz

Morton House Chili With Beans (Beef & Chicken) 15oz

Morton House Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Paramount Chili Hot Dog Chili 15oz

Paramount Chili no Beans 15oz

Paramount Chili with Beans 15oz

Paramount Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Piggly Wiggly Chili no Beans 10oz

Piggly Wiggly Chili no Beans 15oz

Piggly Wiggly Chili with Beans 15oz

Piggly Wiggly Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Prudence Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Southern Home Chili no Beans 15oz

Southern Home Chili no Beans 10oz

Southern Home Chili with Beans 15oz

Southern Home Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Steak ‘n Shake Chili with Beans 10oz

Thrifty Maid Chili with Beans 15oz

Thrifty Maid Corned Beef Hash 15oz

Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz

Triple Bar Ranch Chili no Beans 15oz

Triple Bar Ranch Chili with Beans 15oz

Triple Bar Ranch Chili with Beans Slow Cooked 15oz

Value Time Beef and Chicken Chili with Beans 15oz

Pet Food Products

Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese

Take Out With 15oz

Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with 15oz

Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew With Beef 15oz

Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern

Style Dumplings 15oz

Web Site Information and Resource

Complete information on the Castleberry’s recall for consumers and retailers is available by visiting:

http://www.castleberrys.com/

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/

www.fsis.usda.gov/

www.cdc.gov/botulism/