Prisoners who drink jailhouse wine are often among the small number of Americans sickened by foodborne botulism each year. Batches of jailhouse wine, sometimes called pruno or hooch, are ideal breeding grounds for the bateria that causes botulism, a life-threatening disease that paralyzes muscle groups starting at the head and working its way down. When the nerve toxins reach the muscles that control breathing, botulism is fatal without medical intervention. A recent study looked at a 2011 outbreak at a Utah prison that sickened eight people. The prisoners became ill after drinking the pruno. In three of them, the disease had progressed to the muscle groups affecting their lungs. They were intubated to prevent respiratory failure. Botulism cannot be spread from person to person. … [Read more...]
Botulism Outbreak in Amarillo
Health officials in Amarillo are investigating an outbreak of botulism, a rare, paralytic illness that can be fatal. At least four people are believed to have eaten something contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that produces a nerve toxin that causes paralysis. All four remain hospitalized and are slowly recovering. Botulism is not spread from person-to-person contact. Symptoms of foodborne botulism usually develop within 12 to 36 hours of exposure and include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that usually begins at the shoulders and moves down. If the infection reaches the muscles that control breathing, botulism can be fatal without mechanical ventilation. Recovery can take weeks or … [Read more...]
Big Blue Fisheries Recalls Smoked Fish For Botulism Risk
Big Blue Fisheries is recalling all smoked fish products due to botulism risk. All lots, codes and sizes sold in vacuum packages are being recalled because the products may not have been properly cooked and have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that causes botulism, which can be life-threatening or fatal. Consumers who have purchased this product should not eat it. To date, there have been no reported illnesses or consumer complaints. Botulism symptoms include: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation can also occur Anyone with these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. The recall was issued after … [Read more...]
FDA Improves Reporting for Canned Foods Manufacturers
If improperly processed, canned foods can contain botulism, a toxin that can paralyze and kill human beings. The FDA is making it easier for manufacturers of acidified and low-acid canned foods to submit information about the manufacturing process and to improve the accuracy of that information. The Agency will begin using forms that are specific to the different industry manufacturing processes. Forms for low-acid retorted method, acidified method, water activity control method, and low-acid aseptic systems will now be separate. This will help the FDA ensure the safety of these higher risk foods. Stakeholders will be able to comment on these forms before they are put into use. In the next few days, FDA will issue a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of public … [Read more...]
Five Prison Hooch Botulism Outbreaks In 8 Years
Prison hooch has been the source of five botulism outbreaks in the last eight years, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hooch, or pruno, is illicit alcohol prisoners make from rotting fruit. That was the second botulism outbreak for that maximum security prison in 2012. In August, an outbreak involving four inmates occurred. Botulism, which can be fatal, cannot be spread through person-to-person contact. It develops in contaminated wounds, from IV drug use, or from consuming tainted food or beverages, which is the most common cause. Botulism symptoms include: muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing and breathing; and paralysis. The botulinum toxin blocks the nervous system's ability to communicate with muscles, … [Read more...]
California Botulism Risk in Sister Sara’s Good for You Products
The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat "Sister Sara's Good for You" products because they may be susceptible to Clostridium botulinum contamination. No illnesses have been reported in association with the consumption of these products. The products were sold at certified farmers markets in Alameda County. Public health officials discovered that the products were made without required controls to prevent botulism toxin. A tiny amount of the botulism toxin can cause serious illness and death. The products were sold in one pint glass canning jars with screw on metal lids. They are "Sister Sara's Good for You Soup", Sister Sara's Bread & Butter Pickles", Sister Sara's Pickled Beets", and "Sister Sara's Old Fashioned Dill Pickles." There are no date … [Read more...]
Sam’s Club Listeria Smoked Salmon Recall
Potential Listeria contamination in certain smoked salmon products sold at Sam’s Club stores nationwide has prompted the discount retailer to notify its customers of a recall. The products under recall were produced by Tampa Bay Fisheries Inc. of Dover Fl. and Multi-Export Foods. Inc of Miami. The recall covers all smoked salmon products produced since November 14, 2012 and sold under the brand name Paramount Reserve at Sam’s Club stores in 42 states and Puero Rico. Specifically, smoked salmon "twin packs" (two 6 oz vacuum packages in a cardboard sleeve) with UPC number 6 88264 86705 and the following lot/sublot/batch numbers: 931-59733-2, 933-59753-1, 933-59754-2, 875-701413-1 and 890-701413-1. And 1.25 lb. packages of smoked salmon with the UPC number 6 88264 86664 … [Read more...]
Yang Sheng Duck Eggs Recalled For Botulism Risk
Yang Sheng cooked, salted duck eggs are being recalled for potential botulism risk. S&M International Inc. of Bayonne, NJ issued the recall on December 19 after the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets discovered the products were not processed in a manner to prevent growth of Clostridium botulinum the bacteria that causes botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. The recalled eggs were distributed between August and October 2012 to stores and markets located in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Michigan. They were sold in plastic, vacuum-packed packages six per 12.69 oz.package. The UPC code is 6949682803568 and the lot code is YS12-02C, printed on the product boxes. S&M International is working with retailers who purchased the eggs to … [Read more...]
True Taste Recall Includes All Smoked Fish Made This Year
Botulism risk has prompted True Taste, LLC of Kenosha, Wis. to recall all of the hot smoked whitefish, trout, mackerel, salmon steak and cold smoked mackerel and whitefish it has produced during 2012. No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall. True Taste is recalling vacuum packages of Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout, Hot Smoked Whitefish, Hot Smoked Herring, Hot Smoked Mackerel, Hot Smoked Salmon Steak, Cold Smoked Mackerel, and Cold Smoked Whitefish because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism.Consumers who have these products at home should not eat them. Botulism, which causes muscle paralysis, is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. Symptoms include: dizziness, weakness, double-vision and trouble speaking … [Read more...]
Farmstead Recalls Vegetables, Meats for Botulism, Listeria Risk
Farmstead Inc. of Providence is recalling certain jarred vegetables and meat products that were produced without controls to prevent botulism, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. There have been no illnesses associated with this recall. But both botulism and Listeria can serious illness or death. The products under recall include 8 oz or 16 oz jarred vegetables including carrots, beets, eggplant, zucchini, pickles, tomato jam. And meat products, including 4 oz jars of chicken liver mousse and pork rillettes. The jars have screw-on metal lids. The labels bear the name of the product, but do not contain production or date codes Some soft and semi-soft cheeses, raw milk cheeses, goat cheeses, are also being recalled for lack of refrigeration. And D'Artagnan salami, … [Read more...]
