The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday warned consumers against consumption of certain cans of hot dog chili sauce after the product was linked to the hospitalization of four people for botulism, a fatal infection.

The warning applies to 10-ounce cans 10 ounce cans of Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030000101), Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030099533), and Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 1111083942) with "best by" dates from April 30, 2009 through May 22, 2009, the FDA said.

Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized. It is for the first time sine 1970s that the cases of contamination by the toxin have surfaced for a commercially canned product.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. In severe cases, botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.

The recalled products are manufactured by the Castleberry Food Company in Augusta, Georgia. Castleberry has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all of the potentially contaminated products and is cooperating with investigation by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).