Beans Recalled Due to Possible Botulism Risk

FDA has announced that New Era Canning Company, New Era, MI, is expanding its product recall because of potential Clostridium botulinum contamination to all canned green beans and garbanzo beans distributed by the company nationwide over the last five years. C. botulinum can cause botulism, a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition. The affected cans are large institutional-sized containers, weighing approximately 6½ lbs.

To date, no illnesses have been reported to the FDA; however, consumers should not consume these products, even if they appear to be normal, because of the potential serious risk to health. Consumers who have the affected products or who have used them in recipes should immediately throw the cans and food away (see below for details).

New Era took this voluntary action in the interest of public health in accordance with FDAs recall request. The company is taking immediate action to retrieve all inventories of the products throughout the distribution chain.

Specific brands and codes of green beans and garbanzo beans subject to this recall are available online. Please note that New Era produces canned products under other brand names and labels. Therefore, the recalled products may not necessarily be labeled with New Eras name. Also, the cans may bear a variety of product codes or no codes at all.

Regardless of brand name or label, or the presence or absence of a code, the recalled cans should not be opened or used, and should be disposed of by double-bagging the cans in plastic bags. Make sure the bags are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for nonrecyclable trash outside of the home. Restaurants and institutions should ensure that such products are only placed in locked receptacles that are not accessible to the public. Additional instructions for safe disposal may be found on the CDC website. Anyone with questions may call FDA at 888/SAFEFOOD.

FDA and the Michigan Department of Agriculture launched a joint investigation of New Eras processing plant. This investigation resulted in the identification of C. botulinum contamination in several lots of canned green beans and one lot of garbanzo beans, the identification of serious food violations, and this expanded recall. Original findings of this investigation resulted in the company voluntarily recalling green beans in Dec. 2007, and green beans, Mexican-style chili beans and dark red kidney beans in January. 

FDA initiated the inspection at New Era, along with inspections of other low-acid canned food manufacturers, following four cases of botulism in consumers who had consumed canned hot dog chili sauce in summer 2007. In light of these botulism cases, FDA increased its inspection efforts to assure that manufacturers of all types of low-acid canned food products are adhering to applicable FDA requirements. These actions illustrate the need for companies to operate under adequate preventive control systems.

As part of the ongoing investigation, FDA issued an Order of Need for Emergency Permit to New Era. This order prohibits the manufacture and shipment of the companys low-acid canned foods across state lines until they demonstrate to FDAs satisfaction that the products are safe. In addition, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, under its state authority, has embargoed New Eras entire inventory of low-acid canned products contained in the companys warehouses in Michigan. As a result, New Era is not currently distributing any products.