Organic Mushroom Soup sold at the Belleville Farmer’s Market in Ontario, Canada is being recalled for possible botulism contamination. The soup is homemade. The soup was made in such a way that may permit the growth of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which produces the toxin. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.
The recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency test results. Government officials are conducting an investigation that may lead to the recall of other products.
The recalled product is Organic Mushroom Soup with no brand name. It was sold in 1 liter containers. There are no codes on the product, and there is no UPC number.
If you have this recalled product in your home, do not eat it, even if you are going to reheat it first. Recalled soup should be thrown out in a sealed container so other people can’t get at it, or take it back to the place of purchase for a refund.
Foods contaminated with the botulism toxin will not look, smell, or taste any different. The texture of the food is not affected. But a tiny amount of the toxin can be deadly.
The early symptoms of botulism food poisoning include facial paralysis, a loss of expression, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, and difficulty speaking, including slurred speech. The paralysis caused by this toxin progresses downward in a parallel manner. Eventually, people an have difficulty breathing. Botulism does not cause a fever. Symptoms of botulism food poisoning in children include slurred speech, generalized weakness, difficulty swallowing, and paralysis. An antidote is available, but it must be applied at a hospital.
