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...]
Jarred Pesto Linked to 2014 Botulism Outbreak
Jarred pesto isn't a common source of botulism but in 2014 it was the source of a botulism outbreak that sickened two people. The outbreak marked the only time pesto was documented as a source of a botulism outbreak in the U.S. and the first time in 15 years that it was the source of a botulism outbreak in other countries. The pesto had been purchased from a farm stand in San Clemente, California. Lab testing found botulinum toxin in leftovers of pasta with pesto. During an investigation of the company's facility, health officials found improper acidification and pressurization practices and that the company lacked the proper license to sell canned products. Botulism can cause life-threatening illness or death. Food that is contaminated with botulism may not smell or look spoiled. … [Read more...]
FDA Offers Safety Tips for Canned Food Month
It's National Canned Food Month and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has compiled some tips to help consumers enjoy it safely. Some grocery stores and restaurants that aren't able to sell or use canned products before their "sell by" dates donate them to charities. Sometimes canned foods near or past their expiration dates are also donated. These products sometimes end up at surplus grocery stores, food-salvage stores, or other bargain outlets. These foods aren't necessarily unsafe, according to the FDA, what matters even more than the date is how the food was handled. Never buy cans that are swollen, have a bulging top or are leaking. This can be a sign that the bacteria that causes botulism is present. Never buy a can that is dented along the seams that run along the … [Read more...]
Jafflz Recalled in Utah for Possible Botulism Risk
Du Monde Gourmet of Park City, UT is recalling approximately 235 pounds of ready-to-eat Jafflz pocket sandwich products because they may contain Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, and/or Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria are associated with temperature abuse. At the time of the recall there had been no confirmed reports of illness but consumers who have purchased these products should not eat them as they can cause serious illness. The recalled products were shipped to retail locations in Utah and have the code “EST. 48106” inside the USDA mark of inspection. They include: 24-count cases containing 4-6 pieces of “Jafflz Retro Pocket Sandwiches Pasghetti Jaffles with Italian Meat Sauce;" 24-count cases “Jafflz retro pocket Sandwiches Classic Jaffles with Bacon, Egg and … [Read more...]
Foods Recalled in Michigan for Possible Botulism
Several types of canned foods are being recalled in Michigan for possible botulism contamination. Lock Stock and Barrel Ranch products, sold at the store at 20420 State Street in Onaway, Michigan were manufactured without using controls for the safe production of processed foods, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. These foods were also sold at different farmers markets in Michigan, at Rogers City, Posen, Indian River, and Gaylord. The recalled products include Beef Vegetable Soup, Tomato Basil Soup, Bacon Cauliflower Soup, Mama Splans Medium Salsa, Mama Splans Hot Salsa, Sweet Salsa, Tomatillo Salsa, Mango Salsa, Peach Salsa, Dilly Beans, Pickled Beets, Pickled Carrots, Pickled Mushrooms, Pickled Asparagus, Pickled Cauliflower, Pickled Garlic, … [Read more...]
