FDA WARNING: Hot Dog Chili Sauce May Cause Fatal Cases of Botulism

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers today of the possibility of intoxication with Clostridium botulinum in Hot Dog Chili Sauce marketed under different brand names.

C. botulinum is responsible for botulism, a condition that may result in the death of the intoxicated person.

FDA has been very specific about the products to avoid. However, they warn consumers not to eat any Hot Dog Chili Sauce coming from this company.

FDA recommends that consumers that have cans of Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030000101), Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030099533), and Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 1111083942) (best by dates from April 30, 2009 through May 22) to throw them right away.

Castleberry Food Company in Augusta, Georgia is the manufacturer of all the above products involved in the botulism outbreak in Indiana and Texas. More cases are possible in the coming days since Castleberry Food Company has countrywide distribution of its products.

A total of four (4) people (including two (2) children) has become ill and have been hospitalized in the states of Indiana and Texas. Individual that may have botulism symptoms (see bellow) are to go immediately to the nearest hospital since botulism can be fatal in a high proportion of the intoxication cases.

The most powerful known nerve toxin, botulin, which is produced by Clostridium botulinum, causes botulism illness. The lethal dose of botulinic toxin is only of one (1) microgram (that is the weight of 1 millionths of one gram). Botulin is a paralyzing toxin that acts by blocking nerve function. The toxin neutralizes the respiratory and musculoskeletal functions.

The death of intoxicated people comes from the inability of the patient to breath. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the current mortality rate is 5% (type B) to 10% (type A). Other sources report that, in the U.S., the overall mortality rate is about 7.5%, but the mortality rate among adults 60 years and older is 30%.