GB grocery stores remove recalled, tainted canned goods
BY VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News vici@gulfbreezenews.com

Gulf Breeze grocery stores have already removed recalled canned goods from their shelves after Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced

The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services department is intensifying efforts to assist federal regulators in searching for and removing from store shelves food products recalled by Castleberry's Food Company a week ago.

"We do normally carry the product but it is on lock-down," Rick Suggs, Bruno's store manager. "They are probably waiting to make sure everything is safe before they send out any more product."

Despite efforts by the Georgia company, the FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove the more than 90 different canned meats, chili sauces and other canned products

subject to the nationwide recall because of potential botulism

poisoning, Bronson said inspectors in his Food Safety Division are continuing to find the recalled products on Florida store shelves.

Bronson said he will also dispatch inspectors to flea markets over the weekend to search for the recalled products as many flea markets typically carry low-cost food items, including canned goods.

At the same time, Bronson and federal authorities stress that Castleberry products already purchased by consumers should not be eaten.

"It is critical that none of these products are purchased or consumed," Bronson said. "Botulism is a serious threat as the illness it triggers can cause paralysis, respiratory failure and even death."

According to the FDA, botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin. Symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and muscle weakness. In the most extreme cases, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

The FDA recommends that if consumers find any of the potentially tainted products in their homes, they should double bag the cans and throw them away.

In addition to the more than 90 canned meats, chili sauces and other food products being recalled, there are also four pet food products included in the recall.

Winn Dixie employees assured customers that the Gulf Breeze Pkwy. store has also taken immediate action, and there are no shipments of the product on store shelves.