FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
July 23, 2007 Melaney Arnold (217) 558-0500
Kimberly Parker (312) 814-1577

State health director warns consumers of food borne
illness after company expands recalled foods

Recall now includes almost 100 varieties of canned goods

SPRINGFIELD – Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, is warning consumers again
today not to eat certain canned products after Castleberry’s Food Company, owned by Bumble
Bee Foods, LLC, voluntarily expanded its recall from last week due to possible botulism
contamination.

“To date there are no cases of botulism in Illinois linked to this recall, however, local health
departments have found some these canned goods on store shelves so I want to remind all
Illinois residents to be on the lookout for these products – not only on store shelves but in your
pantries and cupboards as well,” said Dr. Whitaker.

Canned goods, including almost 100 varieties of chili, beef stew, corned beef hash, barbecue
pork, hot dog chili sauces, sausage-gravy and dog food are on the expanded recall list. Each can
label or can end bears the establishment number “EST. 195” inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The expanded recall includes canned goods regardless of the “best buy” date stamped on the
bottom of the can.

For a list of recalled products regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) –

log onto http://www.fda.gov

For a list of recalled products regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food
Safety and Inspection Service log onto http://www.fsis.usda.gov

Or you can log onto the Illinois Department of Public Health Web site at

www.idph.state.il.us/public/press07/7.23.RecalledProducts.pdf


Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should throw
them away immediately. Double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed then place in
a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Additional instructions for safe
disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has sent a health advisory to local health
departments, hospitals and other health care professionals alerting them of the severity of this
illness and the seriousness of the outbreak.

Signs and symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred
speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. If untreated, the illness may
progress from head to toe, with paralysis of the face, arms, breathing muscles, trunk and legs.
Paralysis of the breathing muscles can lead to death unless prompt medical care is sought.
Symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food but can occur as early
as six hours or as late as 10 days.

Anyone who suspects a case of botulism should contact their physician and notify the local
health department as soon as possible.