The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (July 19) advised people not to eat three brands of 10-ounce cans of hot dog chili sauce, all manufactured by the Castleberry Food Company in the United States, due to possible contamination by botulinum toxin.
The CFS also appealed to the trade to stop selling these products.
The affected products are Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030000101), Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030099533) and Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 1111083942), with "best by" dates from April 30, 2009 through May 22, 2009. The "best by" dates can be found on the can lids.
The appeal was made as the Food and Drug Administration of the United States had issued a warning after some people who ate these products became seriously ill.
Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Poisoning by the toxin is life-threatening as it can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles.
"The CFS will contact the US authorities for further information. We have alerted the trade and are closely monitoring the situation," a CFS spokesman said.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200707/19/P200707190220.htm