LABELLE, FL. -- Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging retail outlets to recheck their shelves for food products recalled by Castleberry's Food Company several weeks ago. He has also put a link to the list of recalled products on the Department's web site.
Bronson's reminder comes as the Food and Drug Administration and United States Department of Agriculture indicate the recall has been less than effective as reports show recalled products are still on store shelves. The canned products may be contaminated with botulinum toxin which could cause botulism, which poses a life-threatening hazard. Castleberry's has released a letter to the public reiterating the urgency of complying with the recall and providing detailed instructions for the handling and disposal of the affected products. Products found in the home should be returned to the retailer or double-bagged and placed in the trash. These products should not be opened.
"I'm concerned that we are still finding Castleberry's products on store shelves nearly two weeks after the recall was first announced," Bronson said.
Inspectors with Bronson's Division of Food Safety continue intense efforts to assist federal regulators in searching for and removing from stores shelves food products recalled by the company. The recall has been expanded several times. Department inspectors indicate the compliance rate is approximately 80 percent, and the biggest problem is with smaller, independent grocery and convenience stores that have not gotten word of the recall. Many flea markets, green markets and food banks also carry food items and Bronson is urging consumers to be on the lookout as many people flock to the markets on the weekend.
Consumers and store owners are urged to go to the Department's web site at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us and look under Hot Topics for the link to the recalled products. People with questions can also contact the Division of Food Safety at (850) 245-5520.
Meanwhile, on another topic, the Food and Drug Administration has also announced the recall of Lakeside Foods Inc. French Style Green Beans because some cans may have been under-processed and some cans may have leaked. While no illnesses have been reported these cans have the potential to be contaminated with harmful organisms including Clostridium botulinum. No botulinum toxin has been found in any cans tested to date, however, the company continues to test out of an abundance of caution. Florida is one of the states in which the product was distributed. For a complete listing of code and label information on impacted products, log onto http://www.lakesidefoods.com or call 1-800-466-3834 ext 4090.
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