Hundreds of Castleberry's employees temporarily out of work - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

July 25, 2007

Albany--Authorities continue their investigation into a Georgia plant linked to botulism found in canned hot dog food.  Sixteen cans of Castleberry's chili sauce tested positive this weekend for the rare but serious illness.

The recall has left more than 400 employees at the Augusta company temporarily out of a job, and some of the workers may have to file for unemployment while the plant remains closed.

The company has hired a firm to visit more than 8,500 retailers around the country in an effort to quickly get recalled products off store shelves.

The government says tens of millions of canned food products may be involved in the Castleberry's food recall.

The company's senior vice president believes he knows where the bacteria that causes botulism may have originated at the plant.

Meanwhile, Castleberry supporters hope the plant is back up and running soon.

"I hope that they clear up this matter soon because they have a lot of people in our area. I was hoping that it was a mistake because I know a lot of people that work there," says Augusta shopper, Judy McCoy.

"We believe we've determined the issue to be linked to under processing on one line of our Augusta, Georgia production facility," says senior vice president, Dave Melbourne.

Four cases of botulism have been reported: two from Indiana and two from Texas. Those four people consumed Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original, a product made by Castleberry's.

The company is recalling more than 90 types of its canned chili, beef stew, and other meat products.

If you happen to have one of those canned food products on the list, the Food and Drug Administration is urging you to discard it immediately, or take the item back to the store for a refund.