A new Clostridium botulinum outbreak on the USDA's Core Investigation Table may be associated with canned soup. That pathogen is a risk with low acid canned foods such as canned soup or home canned vegetables. There is no more information on the table about this outbreak. We do not know the patient case counts, if traceback or sampling is being conducted, or if any facilities are being inspected. Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic bacteria that produces a neurotoxin that is the most toxic substance known. The toxin is produced by the bacterial spores when the pH of a food is above 4.6 and when oxygen levels are low or nonexistent. The toxin travels through the bloodstream and attacks nerves, causing paralysis from the top of the body down. When the paralysis reaches the lungs, … [Read more...]
Botulism in Nome, Alaska Associated With Aged Beluga Flipper
According to news reports, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is investigating a botulism death and four illnesses that may be associated with fermented beluga whale flipper. The people allegedly got sick at a New Year's Day dinner in Nome where native foods were served. Louisa Castrodale, an epidemiologist with the Health Department told Anchorage Daily News that the aged beluga flipper has tested "preliminary positive" for botulism toxin. Officials are waiting for the final lab results on all foods served at the potluck, as well as samples from the patients. Final results will be available next week. The patient, a 54-year-old man, became ill with stomach pain, difficulty breathing, double vision, and weakness. Those are typical symptoms of botulism food … [Read more...]
Honey Pacifiers Give Four Texas Infants Botulism Poisoning
Honey pacifiers from Mexico have given botulism poisoning to four infants in Texas. Many people don't know this, but honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores and should never be fed to children under the age of one. The pacifiers are filled with or dipped in honey. These pacifiers were purchased in Mexico, but some similar products can be found in the U.S. through online retailers. All four infants have been hospitalized. There is no word on their condition, or if they have recovered or have been released from the hospital. The Clostridium botulinum spores can multiple in a baby's immature and developing immune system. The FDA, CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents do not give honey to young children. The toxin is also made by Clostridium … [Read more...]
Top Food Poisoning Outbreaks of 2017: Deadly Botulism in Nacho Cheese Sauce at Valley Oak Food and Fuel
The Number 9 food poisoning outbreak of 2017 was the deadly botulism outbreak linked to nacho cheese sauce sold at Valley Oak and Fuel in Walnut Grove, California in May. Ten people were sickened in this outbreak, and one person died. All ten of the patients were hospitalized in serious condition. The California Department of Public Health confirmed that nacho cheese sauce that was sold at that gas station tested positive for the botulinum toxin. And the toxin matched samples taken from the 10 patients. Gehls Nacho Cheese Sauce was impounded during an inspection conducted at the gas station. Officials did not confirm that Gehls nacho cheese sauce was the source of the toxin; and we do not know how the product was contaminated. Low acid foods such as this cheese sauce can be a … [Read more...]
National Botulism Surveillance Summary for 2015
Botulism was in the news this year, after an outbreak in California that was tied to cheese sauce sold at Valley Oak Food and Fuel in Walnut Grove, California. That outbreak sickened 9 people and killed one person. All of the patients in that outbreak were hospitalized in serious condition. The CDC has released its National Botulism Surveillance Summary for 2015. It states that a total of 199 confirmed and 14 probable cases of botulism were reported in 2015. Infant botulism accounted for 71% of the cases, foodborne botulism for 20%, and wound botulism for 8%. Infant botulism can be caused by giving babies honey, which can contain botulism spores. Adults are resistant to spores from honey. The 39 cases of foodborne botulism were reported from seven states. There were five … [Read more...]
Botulism in Nacho Cheese Sauce at Valley Oak Food and Fuel Kills One, Sickens Nine
Officials in California say that botulism toxin in nacho cheese sauce sold at Valley Oak Food and Fuel in Walnut Grove, California has killed one person and sickened nine others. All ten patients in this outbreak have been hospitalized in serious condition. The man who died has been identified by news sources as 37-year-old Martin Galindo-Larios Jr., a father of two. A GoFundMe page has been set up on behalf of his family. The California Department of Public Health has confirmed that the nacho cheese sauce sold at the gas station has tested positive for the botulinum toxin. And it is the same type of toxin identified in the 10 patients sickened in this outbreak. The press release from CDPH states that the department has "received reports of 10 cases of botulism linked to this … [Read more...]
Cheese Sauce Impounded after Valley Oak Food and Fuel Botulism Outbreak
The botulism outbreak at Valley Oak Food and Fuel in Walnut Grove, California may have caused a death. At least one lawsuit has been filed, and all of the patients in this outbreak have been hospitalized. Inspection reports stated that cheese sauce was impounded by a California Department of Public Health Officer. According to UPI, Martin Galindo, a 37-year-old father from San Francisco, died on May 18, 2017 from botulism poisoning. A GoFundMe page has been set up on his behalf. KGO-TV said he contracted the illness from nacho cheese sauce bought at Valley Oak Food and Fuel. The Sacramento Health and Human Services Department has not confirmed that botulism caused the man's death or that Mr. Galindo ate food from Valley Oak Food and Fuel. Because the gas station is located near a … [Read more...]
Botulism in California: Lawyer Provides Information You Need to Know
At least seven people, in two apparently unrelated outbreaks, are sick with botulism food poisoning in California. Five or six people are hospitalized in serious condition in Walnut Grove, California, in connection with prepared food they purchased from the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station. And two others are sick after drinking herbal tea produced by U.S. Deer Antlers Experts and Imports. What is botulism? And why is botulism food poisoning so serious? Food Poisoning Bulletin interviewed attorney Fred Pritzker about this toxin and its effects. Fred said, "Botulism is one of the most deadly nerve toxins known to man. This compound is produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria and can cause paralysis and death when consumed. "These two outbreaks are unusual because one … [Read more...]
Botulism Lawsuit: Nacho Cheese Sickens 5 at CA Valley Oak Food and Fuel
The botulism outbreak at the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station in Walnut Grove, California appears to have been caused by prepared food, "particularly nacho cheese sauce," according to the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services. Five people have been hospitalized with foodborne botulism after eating food purchased from that facility. And the press releases states there is a sixth patient who may also have botulism food poisoning. This conclusion is based on "preliminary data," according to the press release. The sale of prepared food at that gas station was ended by the Sacramento County Department of Environmental Management on May 5, 2017. Public health officials are asking that anyone who ate prepared food, especially nacho cheese sauce, from Valley Oak … [Read more...]
CA Warns About Botulism in U.S. Deer Antler Herbal Tea
Last week, a recall was issued for herbal tea produced by U.S. Deer Antlers Exports and Imports because of the risk of botulism food poisoning. The California Department of Public Health has issued a health warning about those products and is investigating two possible cases of botulism in Orange County residents. Both of those patients drank U.S. Deer Antlers Exports and Imports, Inc. herbal tea products in March 2017. There is no word on the condition of the patients, or if they have been hospitalized. U.S. Deer Antlers Exports and Imports of Los Angeles is voluntarily recalling all of their herbal tea products in plastic pouches. The 6" x 4" plastic tea pouches are labeled in Korean and do not include any lot codes or best by dates. These teas were sold to acupuncturists and … [Read more...]
