Iowa Department of Education

Green Beans and Garbanzo Beans

A recall has been issued by the USDA on commodity issued green beans and garbanzo beans. The FDA is warning consumers about a potential Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) contamination of canned beans manufactured by the New Era Canning Company, New Era, Michigan. C. botulinum is the bacterium that causes botulism, which can be fatal. The recall is for large institutional-sized cans, averaging 6 pounds in weight (#10 cans). For a list of labels and list of all recalled product visit the web-sites below for further information. This product was shipped to our Des Moines warehouse schools in September of 2004 and August of 2005 by this company. All green beans that we have ordered in 2006-07 and 2007-08 are from another company and are not involved in this recall. So, if you received product in September/October of 2004 or August/September of 2005 and still have these green beans in your inventory, from the New Era Company with lot codes 00249,  you need to do the following: 1) Set the product aside and tag it 2) quarantine the product and hold until further direction 3) contact this office if you have the product. Later instructions from New Era will either allow on-site destruction with proper documentation, or the company will arrange for pick-up. Do not puncture or otherwise open cans prior to pick-up or disposal. Particular care should be used when handling and disposing of cans that show signs of swelling or leakage to prevent any human exposure to the contents of the cans. All of the cans of green beans we have ordered the past two years are from Del Monte and should be the only ones in your inventory. This notice is just a warning in case you do have the older green beans still in your inventory. If you do find any of the implicated green beans, please let this office know by calling or by FAX at 515-281-6548. Just a reminder that the Mason City warehouse and the former Sioux City warehouse schools are not involved. http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/newera.html

Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 January 2008 )