Press Release 12/26/2007
GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans may contain Botulism
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is alerting consumers to the recall of GFS (Gordon Food Services) Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans that may be contaminated with a bacterium which can cause a fatal form of food poisoning.
The New Era Canning Company, New Era, Michigan, is voluntarily recalling 171 cases (containing six cans per case) of 6 lbs. 5 oz. GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans, 4 Sieve, lot code 19H7FL printed on the end of the can (GFS reorder #118737; UPC 93901 11873).
The product, sold to restaurants and institutions, is being recalled because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death from botulism.
Georgians are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
The canned green beans were distributed to foodservice customers (restaurants and institutions) in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Virginia. In Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky, the beans were sold through GFS (Gordon Food Services) Marketplace stores.
Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. Symptoms may include doubled or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, difficulty in breathing, abdominal distension and constipation.
People experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. The incubation period can be two hours to two weeks; in most cases the symptoms appear after 12 to 24 hours.
Food contaminated with botulism should be disposed of carefully. Even tiny amounts of toxins ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin can cause serious illness.
Georgians with the New Era Green Beans should immediately discard them by double bagging the cans in tightly closed plastic bags, then placing them in non-recyclable trash receptacles.
Consumers with questions should call the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or New Era Canning at 1-800-282-9007 Ext. 111.
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