<b>By KEVIN WALKER<br>
Michigan Correspondent</b> </p><p>

NEW ERA, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new warning to consumers about low-acid canned food that may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism.<br>
Botulism can cause serious illness and may be fatal.
As part of an ongoing investigation, the FDA has issued an order prohibiting the manufacture and shipment of the company’s low-acid canned foods across state lines until the company demonstrates that the products are safe. In addition, the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) has embargoed New Era’s entire inventory of low-acid canned products contained in the company’s warehouses in Michigan.<br>
“We haven’t been able to ship product since December 21. We’re just hoping to have it released soon. We’re shipping only high-acid products now,” said Linda Miller, a spokeswoman for the company.
She said the company’s cookers are working properly, and the source of the problem still hasn’t been identified.<br>
New Era employs 90 workers full-time, and about 110 part-time and seasonal employees.<br>
“We have laid off some production people,” she said.<br>
The FDA initiated its inspection at New Era and other companies following four cases of botulism in consumers who had eaten canned hot dog chili sauce in the summer of 2007. In addition to several lots of green beans, most recently a lot of garbanzo beans turned up positive for Clostridium botulinum at the company. No lot number was available for the garbanzo beans as of press time.<br>
New Era voluntarily recalled green beans last December, and voluntarily recalled green beans, Mexican-style chili beans and dark red kidney beans earlier this month as a precaution. That recall, announced Jan. 8, only affects a small number of cases from the products with the specific codes listed.<br>
The FDA advises anyone who thinks they may have consumed potentially contaminated canned food to seek immediate attention if they show any signs of botulism. Symptoms of botulism include double vision, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, slurred speech, problems swallowing and muscle weakness that moves down the body.<br>
Botulism can cause eventual paralysis, with the victim requiring mechanical breathing assistance. Symptoms of botulism can manifest themselves as soon as six hours or as long as two weeks after exposure, although most cases manifest themselves in 12-24 hours.<br>
No one is aware of any illness stemming from these products. The FDA has provided a toll free hotline for anyone with concerns related to this foodborne illness: 888-SAFEFOOD (723-3366).