Baby food recall in effect

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), on the heels of a warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urges consumers to avoid using Earth’s Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby food due to the risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause botulism.

The product was sold in single individual jars and in variety packs and was distributed through retail stores and sold through the Earth’s Best Web site. No illnesses have been reported to the FDA or the manufacturer, Hain Celestial Group, which initiated a recall of the baby food earlier this month. Lid number for the affected baby food is PF6J14NP. To see the FDA release, visit http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01566.html.

Botulism symptoms may occur within six hours to two weeks (most commonly between 12 and 36 hours). They include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness that moves down the body. If not treated, death may occur due to respiratory failure. Botulism associated with a commercial product is rare.

For more information on botulism, contact HHSA Community Epidemiology at (619) 515-6620.