Clostridium botulinum spores when ingested, lead to botulism food poisoning. According to Colorado State University’s Extension Service Botulism Fact Sheet written by Professor P. Kendall, there are four types of botulism: foodborne, infant, wound, and undetermined. Foodborne botulism results when eating food that has not been properly refrigerated or preserved. Botulism spores, which are not killed... [more]

The FDA announced a recall by Haifa Smoked Fish, Inc. on February 3, 2010. This recall of vacuum packed Whole Schmaltz Herring has highlighted the link between improperly eviscerated fish and potential botulism food poisoning.  Because the viscera of fish are typically more likely to contain Clostridium botulinum than other segments of a fish, the sale of fish containing viscera is prohibited in New... [more]

I received some home raised honey as a gift this weekend. In our neck of the woods, many people raise bees and collect the honey. Nothing unusual there. What was unique was the warning. I took this photo with my iPhone and was curious as to what was the catalyst for the warning.  According to WebMD’s eMedicine cite, infant botulism is a unique form of  food poisoning. Children under twelve months... [more]

Bao Ding Seafood of New York, NY is recalling Boiled Horse Mackerel, because it has the potential to be contaminated with clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled. Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, causes the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness,... [more]

Botulism can result in death due to respiratory failure. However, in the past 50 years the proportion of patients with botulism who die has fallen from about 50% to 3-5%. A patient with severe botulism may require a breathing machine as well as intensive medical and nursing care for several months. Patients who survive an episode of botulism poisoning may have fatigue and shortness of breath for years... [more]

The classic symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone. These are all symptoms of the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. If untreated, these symptoms may progress to cause... [more]

In a random sampling of wood pallets used to ship food in Portland, ME, and Philadelphia, PA, numerous pallets tested positive for Listeria and abnormally high counts of foodborne illness bacteria that could potentially create health hazards for consumers. The new data bolster the findings of previous wood pallet testing conducted in the Washington-Baltimore area, further illustrating the unsanitary... [more]

When diagnosing patients with botulism symptoms, physicians may consider the diagnosis if the patient’s history and physical examination suggest botulism. However, these clues are usually not enough to allow a diagnosis of botulism. Other diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), stroke, and myasthenia gravis can appear similar to botulism, and special tests may be needed to exclude these... [more]

In the United States, an average of 145 cases of botulism are reported each year.  Of these, approximately 15% are foodborne, 65% are infant botulism, and 20% are wound.  Outbreaks of foodborne botulism involving two or more persons are usually caused by eating contaminated home-canned foods. The number of cases of foodborne and infant botulism has changed little in recent years. [more]

Here is the continuation of yesterday’s post about the worst foodborne illness complications. Today we cover the top five nastiest complications. 5. Organ Damage Most “simple” food poisonings are anything but simple. While most food pathogens are not considered a serious threat to a normal healthy person, foodborne pathogens can infect and threaten the life of anyone unfortunate enough to... [more]