WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New Era Canning Co is expanding a recall of canned green beans and garbanzo beans because of potential botulism contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.

The FDA said the beans might be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism, a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition.

The affected cans are large institutional-sized containers, weighing approximately six and a half pounds, the FDA said.

"To date, no illnesses have been reported to the FDA; however, consumers should not consume these products, even if they appear to be normal," the agency said in a statement.

New Era distributed the beans nationwide over the last five years.

The cans and contents should be thrown away carefully, as even tiny amounts of the C. botulinum toxin can cause serious illness, the FDA said.

Michigan-based New Era made the recall voluntarily in the interest of public health, the agency said.

(Reporting by Kevin Drawbaugh)