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Frozen Chili Recalled After Botulism Outbreak Company Voluntarily Recalls Food Posted: 3:32 p.m. EDT September 4, 2001

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Frozen chili is being recalled after it was linked to a botulism outbreak.

Classic Foods issued the voluntary recall of 15,000 pounds of frozen Sheriff Blaylock's Chili.

The Texas-based company says the recall involves two batches of chili made March 27.

Officials say the chili was distributed to retail and wholesale stores in Washington, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Texas.

The botulism outbreak sickened people who attended a church supper in Sanger, Texas. Several people were hospitalized.

Company officials issued a statement on Tuesday on the Classic Foods Web site.

"First, our thoughts and prayers are with those hospitalized in Dallas and Fort Worth. Classic Foods is working closely with government agencies to determine the cause of damage to the product involved in this case. Our investigation and outside experts show the problem is not a result of production or storage here at Classic Foods, but how the product was handled after it left the plant. Our production is monitored daily by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"The chili was prepared, packaged and frozen on March 27, 2001, and according to our records, it left the facility at a temperature of no more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. As long as it remains frozen, the product has a shelf life of a minimum of one year. However, we agreed with government inspectors to recall any remaining product manufactured on March 27th because our primary concern is public safety."

The product being recalled is in 5-pound tubs. Each lid has the number 13516 inside the USDA seal of inspection, and product code 500 is printed above the brand name. The production date is March 27, and the package code of either 10861 or 20861 appears on the side of the tub.

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2001

Answers

I wouldn't be at all surprised that it was the fault of the supermarket or local distributor. If I pick up, say, a bag of frozen peas and the peas are in a solid lump. I don't buy it because I know it's been at least partially thawed and refrozen. I usually reach to the bottom (or the back) for anything I want, figuring it's the freshest.

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2001