Castleberry's Food Company

, resulting in a widespread recall [http://www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism.htm] , and the cessation of production at their food processing plant [http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2007-07-19-castleberrys_N.htm] [http://www.castleberrys.com/recall_home.asp] . Lists of the products subject to the recall are available at [http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html] and [http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp] .

Poisonous canned chili sauce

advised consumers to dispose of foods recalled due to the food poisoning incidents in the following manner:

Do not open or puncture any unopened can of the recalled product... Dispose of food that may be contaminated by placing in a sealable bag, wrapping another plastic bag around the sealable bag, and then taping tightly. Place bags in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside the home and out of reach of humans and pets. Do not discard the food in a sink, garbage disposal, or toilet. Avoid splashing and contact with the skin. Wear rubber or latex gloves when handling open containers of food that you think may be contaminated. Wash hands with soap and running water for at least 2 minutes after handling food or containers that may be contaminated. [http://www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm]

Temporary recommencement of food manufacturing

Following authorization by the FDA and United States Department of Agriculture, Castleberry's Food Company restarted operations at its canning plant in September 2007 [http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Sep17/0,4670,ChiliSauceBotulism,00.html] [http://www.castleberrys.com/news_pressRelease10082007.asp] [http://www.castleberrys.com/ProductFAQs.asp] , producing products which carried substantially different labeling and UPC codes than those printed on cans of recalled food. [http://www.castleberrys.com/default.asp] [http://www.castleberrys.com/ProductFAQs.asp] Listed amongst the frequently asked questions on Castleberry's Food Company's website is the following query: "How do I know Castleberry’s Food products are safe to eat?" [http://www.castleberrys.com/ProductFAQs.asp] However, in March 2008, the canning plant was shuttered permanently when the FDA revoked the "temporary emergency operating permit" which was allowing production to continue. [http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/339496]

Wrongful death lawsuit and other litigation

In July 2008, Anne Marie Caffrey filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Castleberry's Food Company and other defendants alleged to have distributed Castleberry’s poisoned food products, which alleges that Christopher Caffrey died due to paralysis resulting from ingestion of botulinum toxin contained in food produced by Castleberry’s. The lawsuit further alleges that Christopher Caffrey suffered a horribly slow and painful death:

On August 1, 2007, despite the ventilator, Mr. Caffrey experienced respiratory failure. As the effects of the botulism poison spread from his head to his feet, Mr. Caffrey became blind and lost the ability to move any part of his body except his big toe. On August 17, 2007, Chris was transferred to Kindred Care Hospital to receive long term care. His condition worsened a couple of weeks later and he was transferred back to Presbyterian. Chris continued to suffer while his body struggled to fight off the toxin in his body. He had a fever, was paralyzed in most of his body, and required several machines to keep him alive. On September 9, 2007, after 6 weeks of intense pain and suffering, Chris Caffrey died in the hospital of the effects of botulism poisoning. [http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/24046729.html]

Van Alan Croft and Carl Ours have also filed lawsuits against Castleberry's Food Company which allege that they suffered non-lethal food poisoning due to the consumption of Castleberry’s products poisoned with botulinum toxin. [http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/022108/bus_188121.shtml]

References

*"Castleberry's Closing Saddens Some in Community", WRDW News 12 (Georgia), September 16, 2008 [http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/28486834.html]
*"Recalled food may linger in stores", Mail Tribune (Oregon), August 04, 2007, [http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070804/NEWS/708040309]
*"Investors shrug off Connors botulism loss", TheStar.com, August 15, 2007, [http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/246561]
*"Georgia processor expands meat recall", USA Today, July 22, 2007, [http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-07-21-ga-recall_N.htm]
*"Food in Botulism Recall Still Being Sold", Fox News, July 28, 2007, [http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jul28/0,4670,FDABotulism,00.html]
*"Recalls: Botulism put scare in grocer", Pittsburgh Post-Gazzete, August 19, 2007, [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07231/810608-28.stm]
*"Castleberry's shuts Georgia plant as part of botulism probe", USA Today, July 23, 2007, [http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2007-07-19-castleberrys_N.htm?csp=34]
*"Factory in Chili Recall Reopens", Fox News, September 17, 2007, [http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Sep17/0,4670,ChiliSauceBotulism,00.html]
*"Since You Asked: No charges in food recall", Mail Tribune (Oregon), August 09, 2007, [http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070809/NEWS/708090329]
*"Brand might be sold", Augusta Chronicle, February 16, 2008, [http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/021608/bus_187549.shtml]
*"Second suit is filed in recall", Augusta Chronicle, February 21, 2008, [http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/022108/bus_188121.shtml]
*"Management problems cited in botulism case", USA Today, June 30, 2008, [http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-06-29-botulism-fda-canned-food_n.htm]
*"Connors closes plant in Georgia", TheStar.com, Mar 12, 2008, [http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/339496]