New Era Canning Company recalls vegetables in #10 cans due to possible botulism risk

Feb. 7, 2008 — Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture is alerting consumers to New Era Canning Company recalling all cans of vegetable products in #10 cans (large cans containing between 6 and 7 pounds) on the list below because they may have been processed under conditions which could have led to contamination by Clostridium botulinum bacterium spores, which can cause life-threatening illness or death.

While the UPC on the can label may be helpful in determining whether the product might be under recall, customers will need to also examine the lot code information on the can end to determine whether the can is subject to recall, as some distributors may purchase these products from more than one supplier.

The UPC and lot code information has been included on the product list for each product under recall to make the identification of any recalled products easier.

Clostridium botulinum bacterium spores have the potential for growth that produces a toxin that causes a potentially fatal form of food poisoning — botulism.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin.

Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first, then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, and calves.

Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.

Individuals who have these symptoms and who may have recently eaten the any of the recalled vegetable products currently under recall or other food products made with these items should seek immediate medical attention.

The issues were uncovered in a FDA inspection of products that were in the company’s possession. NO product has tested positive for the toxin and there have been NO cases of botulism reported from these products.

This recall only affects the products in the large #10 cans, the majority of which were potentially sold nationwide to various food service customers.

However these products may also have been purchased by consumers at retail stores. The code on the cans may be embossed (stamped into the metal of the can) or printed in ink on one of the metal can ends and the first set of numbers or letters in the code may be used to identify whether the product was canned by New Era Canning.

We have been alerted that some of our cans may be missing the can codes. Any cans of these products without a code should not be opened or used and assumed to be under the recall.

Examples of how a lot code may appear on a can of Green Beans, Italian Cut are: "00249 2BH7FL", "00249 1515 2BH7FL", "ITAL 2BH7FL" or "ITAL 1515 2BH7FL". (These are not necessarily actual can codes). In these examples, the "00249" and the "ITAL", being the first set of numbers or letters in the lot code, would be used to identify that the product was canned by New Era Canning.

Examples of how a lot code may appear on a can of Great Northern beans are: "00249 34F7LG", "00249 1515 34F7LG", "NORTH 34F7LG" or "NORTH 1515 34F7LG". (These are not necessarily actual can codes). In these examples, the "00249" and the "NORTH", being the first set of numbers or letters in the lot code, would be used to identify that the product was canned by New Era Canning.

New Era Canning, in conjunction with the US Food and Drug Administration and the Michigan Department of Agriculture, is thoroughly evaluating all processes and procedures to determine the cause of the problem.

Any food that may be contaminated 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. Skin contact should be avoided as much as possible, and the hands should be washed immediately after handling the food.

Customers who have these products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. Double-bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home.

Restaurants and institutions are encouraged to assure that such products are only placed in locked receptacles which are not accessible to the public.

Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm.

Anyone with questions can call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

Customers with questions may contact New Era Canning at 1-800-282-9007 Ext. 111.

The following products are affected by this recall action:

Classic Sysco brand, Distributed by Sysco Corporation, Houston, TX.
Green asparagus cuts & tips (asparagus, water, salt) in 101 oz. (6 lb. 5 oz.) cans (UPC 7486510471). All lot codes beginning with "00249" are included.

Great Northern beans (Great Northern beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 7486510486). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "NORTH" are included.

Green beans, Italian cut, (Italian green beans, water, salt), in 105 oz. (6 lb. 9 oz.) cans (UPC 7486511294). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Light red kidney beans (kidney beans, water, corn sweetener, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 7486510642). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LRKID" are included.

Red beans (red beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 110 oz. (6 lb. 14 oz.) cans (UPC 7486510638). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "RED" are included.

Cut wax beans (wax beans, water, salt) in 101 oz. (6 lb. 5 oz.) cans (UPC 7486511434). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Code brand, Distributed by Code, Atlanta, GA.
Dark red kidney beans (soaked kidney beans, water, corn sweetener, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans (UPC 1207316042). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "DRKID" are included.

Fancy cut wax beans 4 sieve (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans (UPC 1207310183). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Frosty Acres Restaurant's Pride Preferred brand, Packed for F.A.B., Inc., Alpharetta, GA.
Black beans (cooked black beans, water, ferrous gluconate, calcium chloride) in 6 lb. 15 oz. cans (UPC 4820049145). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BLACK" are included.

Blackeye Peas (Blackeye peas, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans (UPC 4820049146). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BEP" are included.

Fancy Great Northern beans (Great Northern white beans, water, salt, natural flavors and calcium chloride) in 110 oz. (6 lb. 14 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068288). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "NORTH" are included.

Fancy cut Italian green beans (Italian beans, water, salt) in 105 oz. (6 lb. 9 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068390). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Fancy dark red kidney beans (dark red kidney beans, water, corn syrup, salt, calcium chloride) in 111 oz. (6 lb. 15 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068171). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "DRKID" are included.

Fancy Mexican style chili beans (white beans, water, corn syrup, sugar, tomato paste, salt, dextrose, onion powder, garlic powder, oleoresin paprika, natural flavors) in 111 oz. (6 lb. 15 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068534). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "CHILI" are included.

Fancy pinto beans (pinto beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 111 oz. (6 lb. 15 oz.) cans (UPC 4820068939). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "PINTO" are included.

Fancy red beans (prepared red beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans (UPC 4820069023). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "RED" are included.

Fancy vegetarian beans in tomato sauce (white beans, water, corn syrup, sugar, tomato paste, salt, dextrose, onion powder, garlic powder, oleoresin paprika and natural flavorings) in 112 oz (7 lb.) cans (UPC 4820069161). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "VEG" are included.

GFS brand, Distributed by Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, MI
Fancy all green asparagus cuts & tips (asparagus, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, reorder no. 229601 (UPC 9390122960). All lot codes beginning with "00249" are included.

Fancy black beans (black beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, reorder no. 557714 (UPC 9390155771). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BLACK" are included.

Italian cut green beans (Italian green beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 9 oz. cans, reorder no. 769878 (UPC 9390176987). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Medium lima beans (lima beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, reorder no. 118796 (UPC 9390111879). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LIMA" are included.

Fancy Mexican style chili beans (soaked red beans, water, chili seasoning, salt, corn starch, tomato paste, sugar, calcium chloride) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, reorder no. 192015 (UPC 9390119201). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "CHILI" are included.

Fancy cut wax beans 4 sieve (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 118834 (UPC 9390111883). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Kitchen Essentials brand, Distributed by Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, MI.
Cut wax beans mixed sieve (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 274453 (UPC 9390127445). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Monarch Heritage brand, Packed for PYA/Monarch, Inc, Greenville, SC.
Italian style cut green beans (green beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 173865 (No UPC code). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Necco brand, Packed by New Era Canning Company, New Era, MI.
Cut wax beans (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 6 oz. cans (UPC 3683513440). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

New Era brand, Distributed by New Era Canning Co, New Era, MI.
Asparagus cuts & spears (asparagus, water, salt) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511220). All lot codes beginning with "00249" are included.

Black beans (black beans, water, salt) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511692). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BLACK" are included.

Black-eyed peas (black-eye peas, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511698). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "BEP" are included.

Butter beans (lima beans, water, salt, sugar, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511694). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LIMA" are included.

Chili beans in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511675). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "CHILI" are included.

Great Northern beans (Great Northern beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 110 oz. (6 lb. 14 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511688). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "NORTH" are included.

Italian Cut Green Beans (Italian beans, water, salt) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511342). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "ITAL" are included.

Light red kidney beans, (kidney beans, water, corn sweetener, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511682). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LRKID" are included.

Dark red kidney beans, (kidney beans, water, corn sweetener, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511680). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "DRKID" are included.

Lima beans (lima beans, water, salt) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511696). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "LIMA" are included.

Pinto beans (pinto beans, water, salt, calcium chloride, EDTA) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511686). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "PINTO" are included.

Red beans (red beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans (no UPC). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "RED" are included.

Vegetarian beans (white beans, water, cane syrup, tomato paste, corn syrup, salt, vinegar, calcium chloride, onion powder, paprika, spice, natural flavorings) in 108 oz. (6 lb. 12 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511670). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "VEG" are included.

Cut wax beans (wax beans, water, salt) in 102 oz. (6 lb. 6 oz.) cans (UPC 3683511440). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Nugget brand, Distributed by Nugget, Atlanta, GA.
Asparagus cuts & tips (asparagus, water, salt) in 6 lb. 12 oz. cans, (UPC 4410503580). All lot codes beginning with "00249" are included.
Reliance Sysco, Distributed by Sysco Corporation, Houston, TX.

Cut wax beans 4 sieve (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 4108056 (UPC 7486512190). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

Wax beans mixed and short cuts (wax beans, water, salt) in 6 lb. 5 oz. cans, 4182788 (UPC 7486512231). All lot codes beginning with "00249" or "WAX" are included.

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