FDA issues hot dog chili sauce warning

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of 10-ounce cans of possibly contaminated hot dog chili sauce sold under various brand names.

The recalled brands and their UPC numbers were identified as Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030000101), Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030099533), and Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 1111083942). All have "best by" dates ranging from April 30, 2009, through May 22, 2009.

The FDA said consumers who have any of the products or any foods made with the products should discard them because of the possibility of botulism contamination. Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate the products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech and muscle weakness that progresses down the body.

All of the possibly contaminated products were manufactured by the Castleberry Food Co. of Augusta, Ga.

Castleberry said consumers with questions can contact Jamie Leicht of Fleishman-Hillard Communications Inc. at 858-735-9135.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International