The number of people sickened in the Valley Oak Food and Fuel botulism outbreak in Walnut Grove, California continues to grow. According to the Sacramento County of Health and Human Services, there are now 10 patients involved in the outbreak of botulism linked to nacho cheese sauce prepared and sold at the gas station. The updated case count includes 5 confirmed cases, 3 probable, and 2 suspected. The first botulism lawsuit was filed against Valley Oak Food and Fuel on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. This outbreak is unusual and tragic for several reasons. Botulism food poisoning is rare, with fewer than 200 cases every year in the United States. With 10 people potentially sickened, this is a relatively large outbreak of botulism poisoning for the U.S. Although there is an antitoxin that … [Read more...]
Dukarani Food Processing Products Recalled for Botulism
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is issuing a consumer advisory for products made by Dukarani Food Processing because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The toxin produced by this bacteria can cause paralysis and death. An issue with two fish- and vegetable-based sauces were identified during a routine inspection. No illnesses have been reported to date. MDA can't verify that the sauces were processed properly, creating a potential botulism risk. In addition, a dry sesame seed and ground fish product (Benniseed) was made through an unapproved process and with an unapproved ingredient source. The recalled products are 8 ounce glass jars of Pepper Sauce and Ketele Sauce, and plastic lidded cups of Benniseed. They were produced and sold by Dukarani Food … [Read more...]
Arcadia Trading Recalls Lizard Fish for Possible Botulism
Arcadia Trading of New York is recalling 34 cartons of Lizard Fish because they may be contamianted with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause life threatening illness or death. This product was distributed nationwide to supermarkets between 2/11/2014 and 7/8/2016. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this item. The product was imported from Vietnam and is packaged in uncoded bulk 15 kg boxes. The symptoms of botulism food poisoning include general weakness, dizziness,, double vision, and trouble speaking or swallowing. If you have experienced these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. An FDA investigator noticed this issue during a follow up inspection. FDA analysis confirmed that the product was not properly eviscerated before processing. … [Read more...]
Updated Recall of Imperial Caviar Seafood’s Salmon Roe
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has updated a September 15, 2016 recall of Imperial Caviar Seafood’s Salmon Roe to include a wider range of product distribution than was previously recognized. This updated recall alerts the public that the product, potentially contaminated with Clostridium botulinum bacteria, was distributed not only in Quebec at the retail level, but also in New Brunswick, Ontario, and – possibly – nationwide. Clostridium botulinum bacteria produces a toxin that can be deadly in very small quantities. Symptoms include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, blurred or double vision, dry mouth, respiratory failure, and paralysis. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of these products. The recalled product is Imperial Caviar & … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Flashback: Deadly Botulism Outbreak at Church Potluck
Last summer, a deadly botulism outbreak was linked to a potluck meal at Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church in Ohio. Twenty nine people were sickened, two people died. Previously, one fatality had been reported in connection with the largest botulism outbreak to strike the U.S. in 40 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most of those sickened described onset of symptoms two days after attending the potluck. Home-canned potatoes in potato salad were the likely source of the outbreak, health officials concluded. Botulism is caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum which is found in soil and dust. Symptoms include: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, muscle … [Read more...]
MN Ag: Asia Market Dried Pike, Bony Fish Pose Botulism Risk
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has issued a consumer advisory for dried, uneviscerated pike and bony fish sold from Asia Market of Spring Lake Park, for potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness or death. Symptoms of botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, and trouble with speaking, swallowing, breathing abdominal distension, and constipation. Anyone experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention. The product, dried pike and bony fish, is five inches in length and still contains the viscera (internal organs) of the fish. The product was sold from Asia Market between May 17, 2016 and June 10, … [Read more...]
Botulism from Prison Hooch Sickens 17 Inmates in Mississippi
Botulism in homemade alcohol, also known as prison hooch, has sickened 17 inmates at the Yazoo City Medium Security Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) and one case at the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The inmate at FTC Oklahoma drank the poisonous mixture before transferring to the Oklahoma City facility. Health officials believe inmates mixed vegetable and fruit scraps with sugar and water in an attempt to make alcohol. Fifteen inmates remain hospitalized, two have returned to the Yazoo facility. Botulism is caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum which is found in soil and dust. Because it causes paralysis which eventually affects the muscles used to breathe, it can be fatal if … [Read more...]
Second Fatality Attributed to Ohio Church Potluck Botulism Outbreak
A second fatality has been associated with the botulism outbreak linked to a potluck meal at Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church in Ohio one year ago, according to WSYX/WTTE in Ohio. Marcella Barbee, 65, died in November 2015 after contracting botulism at the April 2015 potluck, according to the report. Previously, one fatality had been reported in connection with the outbreak that sickened 29 people who attended a potluck at Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church in Ohio. The outbreak is the largest botulism outbreak to strike the U.S. in 40 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Botulism is caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum which is found in soil and dust. Symptoms include: double vision, blurred vision, … [Read more...]
Weekly Food Recall Roundup: April 24, 2016
Listeria in frozen vegetables, E. coli in ground beef, glass fragments in jarred fruit and undeclared allergens in foods and supplements are among this week's food recalls. Recalls of foods and supplements sold in the U.S. or in both the U.S. and Canada are listed first. Recalled foods and supplements sold only in Canada follow those listings. CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington has issued a recall for frozen vegetables that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.The recalled items, sold under the brand names True Goodness By Meijer, Wellsley Farms Organic, Organic By Nature and Schwan’s, were sold in plastic bags in the freezer sections of stores between September 13, 2015 and March 16, 2016. Consumers who have purchased these products should not eat them as Listeria can … [Read more...]
Home Canning? What to Know About Botulism
Home canning is a great way to preserve the bounty of your backyard harvest, but improper technique can cause serious illness and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled some tips on home canning, the most common source of foodborne botulism. Tips from the CDC for proper home canning technique include making sure your food preservation information is up-to-date and to always using a pressure canner when canning low-acid vegetables such as green beans, potatoes and corn or, meat, fish and poultry. Click the preceding link for more tips. Botulism is caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum which is found in soil and dust. Symptoms include: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty … [Read more...]
