Vegetable soup distributed to retailers and farmers markets in three states is under recall because laboratory tests showed it could be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism poisoning.
Mary’s Home Canning of Lancaster, PA, produced the vegetable soup, which is sold in glass jars with plain black and white labels that do not include any traceability or expiration codes, according to the recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. “Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled,” according to the recall notice. “Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distention and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.” Retailers and farmers markets in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware received the Mary’s Homemade Vegetable Soup. The labels read, in part: “Mary’s Home Made Vegetable Soup … Heat and Serve … 829-A Strasburg Road, Paradise, PA 17562.” Inspectors with the FDA discovered the potential for Clostridium botulinum contamination when lab tests on a sample of the soup showed high pH levels, indicating inadequate time and temperature during its production. “Anyone with a product fitting the above description should return the product to where it was purchased, if possible, or call Mary’s Home Canning at 717-442-8349 for return instructions,” according to the recall notice. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)
