Natural Balance Eatables canned dog food (4 varieties)

Date of Recall:
July 21, 2007

Product Recalled:
Canned dog food

Product Information:
Four varieties of Natural Balance Eatables dog food are being recalled.  These include:

• Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food - 15 oz. can (UPC: 23633-59860)
• Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food - 15 oz. can (UPC: 23633-59861)
• Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy and vegetables Dog Food - 15 oz. can (UPC: 23633-59862)
• Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food - 15 oz. can (UPC: 23633-59863)

This recall affects all of the products listed above with all "best by" dates and code dates. The "best by" date can be found either on the top or bottom of the can.

Recalling Firm:
Castleberry's Food Company
Augusta, GA

Consumers with questions or concerns about this recall should go to Castleberry’s website (www.castleberrys.com) or call Castleberry’s consumer hotline at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446.  Consumers with questions can also call the Food and Drug Administration at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

Problem/Reason for Recall:
Castleberry’s was notified by the FDA of two confirmed botulism cases and two potential botulism cases involving individuals who ate Hot Dog Chili Sauce products. No new cases have been reported since the recall was announced on July 18.  FDA samples confirmed the presence of Clostridium botulinum in products manufactured at the company’s plant.
There have been no reported illnesses linked to Natural Balance canned pet food, but Castleberry’s recommends that all these products should be discarded. While botulism can affect some pets, dogs and cats are inherently resistant. The disease has only been seen occasionally in dogs and has not been reported in cats. Ferrets are highly susceptible to botulinum toxin. The incubation period can be two hours to two weeks; in most cases, the symptoms appear after 12 to 24 hours. Botulism is characterized by progressive motor paralysis. Typical clinical signs may include muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing, visual disturbances and generalized weakness may also occur. Death usually results from paralysis of the respiratory or cardiac muscles. Pet owners who have used these products and whose pets have these symptoms should contact their veterinarian immediately.

Consumers should not use these products even if they do not look or smell spoiled. Consumers may return the label to the location where the product was purchased for a full refund. Consumers with these products should dispose of them by double bagging in plastic bags that are tightly closed before being placed in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm.

Distribution:
Nationwide

Press Release: Yes  
FDA  and CDC for more information