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Baby Food Recalled Over Potential Botulism Contamination

Oct 20, 2009 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP

Some apple and carrot portable pouch baby foods, manufactured by Plum Organics of Emeryville, California, is being recalled over potential botulism contamination, the Associated Press (AP) just announced.

The AP reported that the recalled apple and carrot Plum Organics baby food was sold individually throughout the United States at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us stores. The recalled Plum Organics baby food was sold in 4.22-ounce pouches, with a "best by" date of May 21, 2010, and UPC 890180001221.

Paul Gerhardt, a member of the Plum Organics action team, announced in a statement that, "The product did not meet the FDA guidelines for proper acidity level, quoted the AP. Plum Organics expressed concern, said the AP, that the recalled apple and carrot baby food could be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum spores can cause Botulism, a serious and potentially fatal food borne illness.

According to the AP, consumers should not use these recalled products, even if they appear normal, due to the serious potential health risk. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the baby food, said the AP, and no other Plum Organics products are involved, citing a company statement. Plum Organics can be reached toll-free at 1-888-974-3555 or by email at plumorganics.com.

Botulism is a very serious, sometimes deadly infection. Of very significant importance, the Botulism contamination cannot be removed by freezing or cooking tainted foods.

Botulism symptoms can initiate at any time from six hours to 10 days after eating contaminated food, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and can include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that starts at the shoulders and moves progressively down the body. Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can lead to death without treatment and respiratory ventilation in about eight percent of cases. If not treated properly, botulism can paralyze breathing muscles, and victims can spend months on hospital ventilators until the botulism toxin is out of their system.