CASTLEBERRY’S UPDATES STATUS OF NATIONAL CANNED FOOD RECALL

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Della Sweetman, Fleishman-Hillard
(619) 200-0436

or

Doug McGraw, Fleishman-Hillard
(212) 453-2202



CASTLEBERRY’S UPDATES STATUS
OF NATIONAL CANNED FOOD RECALL
Officials Express Urgent Need for Retailers and Consumers to Identify and Discard Recalled Items


AUGUSTA, Ga. – August 1, 2007 – 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 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
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 Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken
15oz
Natural Balance
Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with Chicken and Pasta
15oz
Natural Balance
Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew with Beef, Potatoes and Carrots
15oz
Natural Balance
Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings with Chicken and Vegetables
15oz


Web Site Information and Resource
Complete information on the Castleberry’s recall for consumers and retailers is available by visiting:
www.castleberrys.com
www.cfsan.fda.gov
www.fsis.usda.gov/
www.cdc.gov/botulism/