Canned Soups Recalled

W A S H I N G T O N, Nov. 24 -- A Canadian company is recalling various brandsand flavors of canned soup sold in stores across the United Statesbecause they might be contaminated with botulism.

The canned soups, sold in 10 3/4-ounce cans and made by LesProduits Freddy Inc. of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, were distributed toU.S. stores nationwide, though the number of cans is not known, theFood and Drug Administration said today.

Some of the cans may have been incorrectly processed to preventthe growth of a bacterium that causes botulism, said Joe Baca,director of the FDA’s office of field programs. The FDA, which wasnotified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency about the problem,doesn’t know when or how the contamination was discovered, Bacasaid. No illnesses have been reported.

Several Brands AffectedSymptoms of botulism, which can be fatal, include weakness,dizziness, double vision, trouble with speaking or swallowing,difficulty breathing, abdominal problems and constipation. Peopleexperiencing these problems should seek immediate medicalattention, the FDA said.

Les Produits Freddy Inc. President Giancarlo Distefano did notimmediately return a message left today.

The recalled soups include:

Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup sold under the brandsWegmans, Stop & Shop, Tasty Classics and Baron.

Cream of Chicken Soup sold under the brands Wegmans, Stop &Shop, Tasty Classics and Baron.

Cream of Celery Soup sold under the brands Wegmans, Stop &Shop and Tasty Classics.

Soups Sold NationwideThe Stop & Shop soups were sold at Stop & Shop stores throughoutConnecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island,and at Edwards Stores in New Jersey and New York.

The Tasty Classics soups were sold at Hy-Vee Food and DrugStores in Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas andMissouri; in Fareway Stores in Iowa and Illinois; and in CannedFoods Grocery Outlets stores in California, Washington, Oregon,Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii.