A possible botulism treatment breakthrough that reverses paralysis in mice has been announced by scientists at Boston's Children's Hospital. Botulism food poisoning can be deadly. It is caused by the botulinum toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum spores. The spores grow in a low acid, anaerobic environment (without oxygen) such as in improperly canned foods. A tiny amount of the toxin can kill an adult human being. The spores are found in soil, dust, and in foods such as honey. Early treatment is key in recovery, since once paralysis starts, it cannot be reversed. That is what makes this new treatment so exciting. Min Dong, Ph.D., a researcher in the Boston Children's Hospital Department of Urology and corresponding author of the paper said in a statement, "Currently, there … [Read more...]
Belle Grove Whole Mushrooms Recalled For Possible Botulism
Monaghan Mushrooms Ltd. in Ontario, Canada is recalling Belle Grove Whole Mushrooms for possible botulism contamination. The mushrooms may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this issue. The recalled product is Belle Grove Whole White Mushrooms sold in 227 gram packages. The UPC number printed on the label is 8 87462 00000 3, and the code on the product is Best Before 15 Jan. The recall was triggered by the company. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may trigger the recall of more food products. If this happens, the public will be notified through updated food recall warnings at the CFIA web site. The government is making sure that the … [Read more...]
Five Botulism Illnesses in Colorado Prompt Warnings and Advice
Five botulism illnesses in Colorado are prompting public health officials to warn the public about potentially hazardous foods and to give advice. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is investigating cases of confirmed or suspected botulism since September. Four of the cases are confirmed and one is still under investigation. The patients are either hospitalized or recovering. Three of the cases were unrelated, since the investigators couldn't find a common food source. The last two confirmed cases were probably the result of an improperly canned shared food made in the same household. Botulism doesn't spread from person to person. People get sick when they eat food, usually canned food that is not properly made, that is contaminated with the toxin. The … [Read more...]
Tips For Avoiding Botulism When Canning Foods at Home
Now that the first frost has occurred, the growing season is over in the upper Midwest. Many people are canning foods from their garden and those items purchased at farmers' markets. But you need to know these tips for avoiding botulism when canning foods at home. Canning means you are enclosing food in an anaerobic environment: there is little to no air inside the jars. When combined with low acid foods, such as asparagus, green beans, beets, corn, potatoes, some kinds of tomatoes, figs, meats, fish, and seafood, this creates the perfect environment for the growth of Clostridium botulinum spores. Like most pathogens and the toxins they produce, botulism toxin will not change the taste, appearance, texture, or aroma of food. And it takes just a tiny amount to cause paralysis and … [Read more...]
Consumers Warned About Possible Botulism in Health is Wealth Products
The Rhode Island Department of Health is warning consumers about possible botulism in Health is Wealth products. These products were sold from the Health is Wealth Nutrition Center which is located at 1674 Cranston Street in Cranston, Rhode Island. The products include juices, smoothies, and sea moss gel. There is potential for processing, storage, and control issues with these products. No illnesses have been reported to date to the company or officials to date in connection with this issue. There may be botulism in Health is Wealth Sea Moss Drink. This juice is sold in 12 ounce and 16 ounce containers. It comes in several flavors, including but not limited to: Blackberry, Fruit Punch, Soursop Guanabana, Strawberry, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Mango, Guava Guayaba, and Tamarind. … [Read more...]
Érablière Godbout Sauce Spaghetti Recalled For Possible Botulism
Érablière Godbout is recalling Érablière Godbout Sauce Spaghetti from the marketplace because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum, a pathogen that produces the toxin botulism. The sauce was sold in Quebec at the retail level. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this recalled product. The recalled product is Érablière Godbout Sauce Spaghetti that is packed in 500 mL jars. There is no UPC number on the label. All units where the label doesn't mention "Keep Refrigerated" are recalled. Also, Érablière Godbout Sauce Spaghetti that is packaged in 1 liter glass jars is recalled. There is no UPC number printed on the package. And all units where the label does not mention "Keep Refrigerated" are recalled. This recall was triggered by … [Read more...]
Common Symptoms of All of the Food Poisoning Pathogens
Food poisoning outbreaks occur every year in the United States. These outbreaks can be caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria Monocytogenes, Clostridium botulinum, Campylobacter, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Brucella, Vibrio, and Bacillus cereus; and viruses such as norovirus and hepatitis A. At least 48,000,000 Americans are sickened with food poisoning every year. Do you know the common symptoms of all of the food poisoning pathogens? We've collected articles about all of these symptoms, which includes the foods most likely to be contaminated, in one place for easy reference. If someone in your family is sick with these symptoms, you'll be able to get help more quickly if you understand the pathogens. It's worth noting that it's wise for all consumers to … [Read more...]
How Do You Know If You Have a Botulism Infection?
Botulism is one of the scariest and most lethal foodborne illness infections. The bacteria Clostridium botulinum produces a toxin as it grows. A tiny, tiny amount of that toxin is enough to kill an adult. So how do you know if you have a botulism infection? Most people think that botulism outbreaks are tied to canned food. It's true that the bacterium grows in an anaerobic environment, which means that there is no air in the container that holds the food. But botulism can also grow in honey, which is why babies under the age of 1 should never be given honey. And a deadly botulism outbreak linked to nacho cheese sauce served at Valley Oak and Fuel in Walnut Grove, California in May, 2017 sickened 10 people and killed one person. The bacteria and the toxin do not change how the … [Read more...]
Whole Capelin Fish Pet Treats Recalled For Possible Botulism
IcelandicPlus LLC is voluntarily recalling Whole Capelin Fish Pet Treats for possible botulism contamination because the product exceeds FDA size restrictions for uneviscerated fish. This could use severe illness or death in both animals eating the treats and the people who handle them. The FDA regulations are based on the fact that that salt-cured, dried, or uneviscerated fish larger than 5 inches have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning in people between 1981 and 1987 and again in 1991. No reports of illness of pets or people have been received to date in connection w with the problem. The Whole Capelin Fish Pet Treats have been sold throughout the country in independent pet specialty stores. The product is packed in a clear plastic 1.5 or 2.5 ounce plastic bag or a … [Read more...]
Cielo Glamping Maritime Clams Recalled in Canada For Possible Botulism
Cielo Glamping Maritime clams are being recalled in New Brunswick, Canada because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. The recalled products were sold from Cielo Glamping Maritime, located at 232 Chemin des Huîtres, in Haut-Shippigan New Brunswick. They are bottled clams, with no label, that were sold in 500 ml and 1 liter glass jars with a metal lid. There is no UPC number on the product. Foods contaminated with the Clostridium botulinum toxin will not look, smell, or taste spoiled, and the texture is not affected. A tiny amount of this toxin can make you very sick and can kill. Symptoms of botulism poisoning in adults can include facial paralysis, loss of expression, … [Read more...]
