(April 13, 2007)—The Food and Drug Administration was urgently warning consumers Friday evening about the possible serious health risks from eating olives that may be contaminated with the deadly bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness.

The olives are produced by Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l, of Bari, Italy and the manufacturer is recalling them.

The olives should not be eaten even if they don’t appear to be spoiled, the FDA said.

Consumers should discard the products or return them to where they were purchased.

The olives are sold under the brands Borrelli, Bonta di Puglia, Cento, Corrado's, Dal Raccolto, Flora, Roland and Vantia, and have codes that start with the letter "G" and are followed by 3 or 4 digits, the FDA said.

All sizes of cans, glass jars and pouches of Cerignola, Nocerella and Castelvetrano type olives are included in the recall, the FDA said.

Symptoms of botulism include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble with speaking or swallowing, difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation, the FDA said.

Anyone with those symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l, initiated the olive recall on March 27.

The FDA decided additional warnings were needed because the company has not contacted importers with specific recall instructions.

The FDA wants importers to discontinue distribution of the olives, isolate existing stocks and to notify customers to do the same.

The FDA is also advising restaurants and other food service providers to discontinue use of the olives.

Click Here For FDA Recall Information

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