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Texas Firm Recalls Chili For Possible Contamination With Botulinum ToxinsWASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2001--Classic Foods, LP, a Ft. Worth, Texas, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 15,000 pounds of frozen chili that may be contaminated with botulinum toxins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. The product being recalled is:
The product was produced on March 27, 2001, and distributed to retail and wholesale stores in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. "Because of the potential for foodborne illness, consumers should not eat the chili," said FSIS Administrator Tom Billy. "They are requested to keep the product frozen, return it to the store where it was purchased, and call the tollfree USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555 with the name of that store." The hotline can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The problem was discovered after several illnesses were reported in Texas. Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin. Symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. The illness can cause paralysis, respiratory failure and death. Symptoms usually occur from 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact Jeff Osburne, vice president of operations, Classic Foods, at 1-800-422-4454. Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.
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