Potential Risk for Botulism Due to Defective Can Seams
On Saturday, Bush Brothers & Company announced a large-scale voluntary recall of three varieties of baked bean products. They were all packaged in 28 oz. cans. According to a statement from the company, they discovered an issue with the side seam on the cans during an internal quality check. They have since contacted the canning company and resolved the issue.
Defective canning seals, as any home canner knows, carry the risk of botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. According to the company, no illnesses have been reported at this time, however.
Details of the Recall
According to a statement released July 22 from Bush Brothers, there are three varieties of baked beans in this recall:
- Brown Sugar and Hickory
- Country Style
- Original
In addition, several lots of each variety were processed by the same canning company. Bush Brothers further report that they are working with retailers to remove the impacted products from shelves and warehouses. Below is a list of all the products impacted by this recall:
Product Name |
UPC |
Lot Number |
“Best by” Date |
| 28oz. Bush’s Best Brown Sugar Hickory | 0039400019770 | 6097S GF
6097P GF |
JUN 2019 |
| 28 oz. Bush’s Best Country Style | 0039400019749 | 6077S RR
6087S RR 6077P RR 6087P RR |
JUN 2019 |
| 28 oz. Bush’s Best Original | 0039400016144 | 6057S LC
6057P LC |
JUN 2019 |
What to Do
Bush Brothers was very clear that, despite appearance and smell of the product, no one should consume it. Instead, they advise:
“dispose of these affected products immediately even if the beans do not look or smell spoiled.”
In addition, Bush’s wants anyone with additional questions or concerns to contact their Consumer Relations team at 1-800-590-3797. They are open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm EST. Additional information will also be published as it becomes available on the Bush’s site.