The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use certain jars of Earth’s Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby food.

The baby food may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness, or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

The affected product was sold in single individual jars and in variety packs (which contain four jars of the apple peach barley along with other varieties). The food is part of the firm’s "2nd Vegetables, Fruits and Blends" line intended for babies 6 months and older.

The food was distributed through retail stores and sold through the Earth’s Best Web site. If consumers have any of the specified jars in their home, they should not use it and destroy it immediately. No illnesses have been reported to the FDA or the manufacturer to date in connection with this problem.

The affected baby food is as follows:

Baby Food	UPC Code	Lid	Expiration Date
Earth’s Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast (4.5 ounce jars)	23923-20223	PFGJ14NP	EXP 14 SEP 08 A
Earth's Best Organic 2 Wholesome Breakfast Variety Pack (12 pack)	23923-20295		13 SEP 08
Earth's Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley (4.5 ounce jars within 12 pack)	23923-20223	PF6J14 NP	EXP 14 SEP 08 A
Source: FDA

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, usually causes illness within 18-36 hours of exposure. Initial indication of illness in infants is decreased frequency or absence of stools. Other signs and symptoms noted are poor feeding, weak suck, lethargy, listlessness, weak cry, decreased body tone, and diminished overall movement. Difficulty with swallowing may be evident as well as secretions drooling from the mouth.

This may be followed by decreased respiratory effort, which may lead to respiratory arrest from airway occlusion from unswallowed secretions. Older populations who may be consuming the product as part of a pureed diet might experience symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, and progressive weakness from head to legs. Constipation and urinary retention are also common. Caregivers or people observing these problems should seek immediate medical attention for those affected.

Hain Celestial Group initiated a recall of the food on Feb. 9. The recall is ongoing. Production and distribution of the product has been suspended as FDA and the company work to determine the source of the problem. Hain Celestial Group distributed 4,072 cases of the specified individual jars consisting of 24 jars per case and 38,298 variety packs with the specified jars.

Consumers who have questions should contact Hain Celestial Group at 1-800-434-4246.