DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ASSISTS IN "NEW ERA" GREEN BEAN, CHILI BEAN AND GARBANZO BEAN RECALL - US Fed News Service, Including US State News

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection issued the following news release:

Department of Consumer Protection food inspectors, in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are checking stores statewide starting today to ensure that green beans, chili beans and garbanzo beans canned by New Era Canning Company of New Era, Michigan are removed from sale, Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr. announced today. The action is a direct response to New Era's expanded recall for concerns related to potential Clostridium botulinum (botulism) contamination.

'This is an expanded recall, affecting all green beans produced by New Era, in addition to some chili beans and garbanzo beans,' Farrell said. 'New Era produces canned products under other brand names and labels. Therefore, the recalled products may not necessarily be labeled with New Era's 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 as described below. Consumers who are not sure if a product is subject to the recall should still throw it out as a precaution.'

The recalled products are sold in large institutional-sized cans of green beans, cut green beans, Blue Lake green beans, Mexican Style chili beans, red kidney beans and garbanzo beans (chick peas), weighing approximately six and a half pounds. These may sold to consumers in warehouse stores in the state.

Brands include:

- Bunny brand, distributed by Bunn Capitol Co., Springfield, IL - Classic Sysco brand, distributed by Sysco Corp., Houston, TX- Code brand, distributed by Code, Atlanta, GA- ComSource brand, distributed by ComSource, Atlanta, GA ] - ComSource Medallion Premium Quality brand, distributed by ComSource, Atlanta, GA] - ComSource Merit Excellence Food Service brand, distributed by ComSource, Inc, Atlanta, GA- ComSource Traditional brand, distributed by ComSource, Atlanta, GA- Frosty Acres Restaurant's Pride Preferred brand, packed for F.A.B., Inc., Alpharetta, GA- GFS brand, distributed by Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, MI - Goodtaste brand, distributed by New Era Canning Co., New Era, MI- Great Value - yes I a,Harvest Value brand, distributed by U.S. Food Service, Columbia, MD - Kitchen brand, distributed by Potato Products, Detroit, MI- Kitchen brand, distributed by North Oakland Commodities, Grand Blanc, Michigan- Kitchen Essentials brand, distributed by Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, MI.- Monarch brand, distributed by Reid, Murdoch & Co., Columbia, MD- Monarch Premium brand, packed for PYA/Monarch, Inc, Greenville, SC- Mount Stirling brand, distributed by Pocahonta Foods USA, Richmond, VA- Necco brand, packed by New Era Canning Co., New Era, MI- New Era brand, distributed by New Era Canning Co., New Era, MI- Nugget brand, distributed by Nugget, Atlanta, GA- Pocahontas brand, distributed by Pocahontas Foods USA, Richmond, VA - Reliance Sysco, distributed by Sysco Corporation, Houston, TX- Sysco brand, distributed by Sysco Corporation, Houston, TX- US brand, distributed by U.S. FoodService, Columbia, MD- USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, Special Nutrition Programs, Alexandria, VA label

For specific codes of beans that are subject to this recall, consumers and retailers can access this information at the following link: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/newera.html.

C. botulinum can cause botulism, a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition. To date, no illnesses have been reported; 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.

Any food that may contain the recalled canned beans should be disposed of carefully. Even tiny amounts of the C. botulinum toxin can cause serious illness when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin. Skin contact should be avoided as much as possible, and hands should be washed immediately after handling the food.

When disposing of these products, double-bag the cans in plastic bags. Make sure the bags are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable 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 at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/botulism.htm.

Anyone with questions may call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or the Department of Consumer Protection at (860)713-6160.