Category Archives: Clostridium botulinum

Argentina – Botulism case prompts warning in Argentina

Posted on August 3, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

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Argentinian officials have warned people not to consume a specific product line due to the risk of botulism.

The National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT) said a suspected case of botulism has been associated with a product of the A Pleno brand, produced in Villa de las Rosas.

No official details were given about the sick person but local station Radio Verdad was told the patient was 47-years old and remained in the hospital in a serious condition after eating an expired A Pleno product.

The General Directorate of Control of the Food Industry in Córdoba and agencies in the areas of Villa de las Rosas and Villa Dolores are involved in the investigation.

ANMAT advised people not to eat any A Pleno branded products, which include peanut butter and cheese spread alternatives, and told traders to stop selling them.

Another outbreak in Argentina in Misiones earlier this year affected up to 18 people with two deaths. It was linked to homemade sausages made from wild animal meat that were shared in the community.

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Research – Chinese Foodborne Botulism Outbreaks Have High Mortality Rate; Tofu, Beef Common Causes

Posted on July 31, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety Magazine

A study published in China CDC Weekly provides insight into foodborne botulism outbreaks in China. Researchers conducted an epidemiological analysis for the years of 2004–2020, which revealed a high mortality rate for cases of foodborne botulism and informed recommendations for reducing such outbreaks in China.

In the epidemiological analysis, data was collected from 22 of 31 Chinese provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs) of the National Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance system, as well as the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and Chinese Science and Technique Journals. The number and proportion of foodborne botulism outbreaks, illnesses, and deaths by PLAD; food types associated with outbreaks; and contributing factors were observed.

In total, 80 foodborne botulism outbreaks occurred in China during 2004−2020, with 386 illnesses and 55 deaths; initial misdiagnosis occurred in 27.5 percent of botulism cases. Most outbreaks were reported between June and August, aside from a spike in cases in January. Of the 22 PLADs that reported foodborne botulism outbreaks, Xinjiang reported the largest number of outbreaks (20), followed by Qinghai (13). Home-cooked, traditionally processed stinky tofu and dried beef were the most common vehicles for Clostridium botulinum, linked to 51.25 percent of botulism cases. Improper processing and storage practices contributed to 77.5 percent of foodborne botulism outbreaks.

Based on the study’s findings, the researchers suggest the implementation of botulism prevention and food safety education for farmers and herders in Xinjiang and Qinghai. The researchers also stress the urgency of improving Chinese foodborne illness outbreak investigation.

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Posted in Bacterial Toxin, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, food safety training, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

RASFF Alert – Clostridium botulinum – Trout Fillet

Posted on July 29, 2022 by | Leave a comment

RASFF

Clostridium botulinum in trout fillet (-packing) from Turkey in Austria, Germany, Hungary and Switzerland

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Posted in Bacterial Toxin, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, RASFF, Toxin

China – Research – Vital Surveillances: Epidemiological Analysis of Foodborne Botulism Outbreaks — China, 2004–2020

Posted on July 22, 2022 by | Leave a comment

China CDC

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Abstract

IntroductionFoodborne botulism is a rare, potentially fatal illness resulting from the ingestion of foods contaminated with preformed botulinum neurotoxin types A, B, E, or F, produced by Clostridium botulinum. The descriptive epidemiology of foodborne botulism outbreaks in China during 2004−2020 was performed to inform public health response strategies.

Results

During 2004−2020, a total of 80 foodborne botulism outbreaks occurred in China, involving 386 illnesses and 55 deaths; most outbreaks were reported between June and August, with a sharp peak in January; 22 out of 31 PLADs reported foodborne botulism outbreaks, Xinjiang reported the largest number of outbreaks (20), followed by Qinghai (13); the most commonly implicated food was home-prepared traditional processed stinky tofu and dried beef, accounting for 51.25% events. Improper processing and improper storage in contributing factors accounted for 77.50% outbreaks. Initial misdiagnosis occurred in 27.50% of cases.

Conclusions

Outbreaks of foodborne botulism had a high case-fatality rate. Targeted food safety and popularization education to farmers and herdsmen in Xinjiang and Qinghai related to botulism prevention should be carried out, and timely outbreak investigation and hospital surge capacity should be improved.

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Research – Vital Surveillances: Epidemiological Analysis of Foodborne Botulism Outbreaks — China, 2004–2020

Posted on June 16, 2022 by | Leave a comment

China CDC

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  • Abstract

    IntroductionFoodborne botulism is a rare, potentially fatal illness resulting from the ingestion of foods contaminated with preformed botulinum neurotoxin types A, B, E, or F, produced by Clostridium botulinum. The descriptive epidemiology of foodborne botulism outbreaks in China during 2004−2020 was performed to inform public health response strategies.

    MethodsData from 22 of 31 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs) of the National Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance System during 2004−2020 and Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and Chinese Science and Technique Journals (CQVIP) from January 2004 to December 2020 to identify indexed publications in the Chinese literature using the following search terms “botulism,” or “botulinum toxin,” or “Clostridium botulinum.” The number and proportion of outbreaks, illnesses, and deaths by PLAD, food types, and contributing factors were calculated.

    ResultsDuring 2004−2020, a total of 80 foodborne botulism outbreaks occurred in China, involving 386 illnesses and 55 deaths; most outbreaks were reported between June and August, with a sharp peak in January; 22 out of 31 PLADs reported foodborne botulism outbreaks, Xinjiang reported the largest number of outbreaks (20), followed by Qinghai (13); the most commonly implicated food was home-prepared traditional processed stinky tofu and dried beef, accounting for 51.25% events. Improper processing and improper storage in contributing factors accounted for 77.50% outbreaks. Initial misdiagnosis occurred in 27.50% of cases.

    ConclusionsOutbreaks of foodborne botulism had a high case-fatality rate. Targeted food safety and popularization education to farmers and herdsmen in Xinjiang and Qinghai related to botulism prevention should be carried out, and timely outbreak investigation and hospital surge capacity should be improved.

  • Belgian scholars in consumers of sausages first described botulism in 1896 (1). It was confirmed that the growth and germination of toxins occurred only under particular conditions in an anaerobic low salt, low-acid environment. People who ingest food contaminated with botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) produced by botulinum toxin can have a potentially fatal outcome (2). Outbreaks have been reported worldwide. In Canada, the first Clostridium botulinum type E outbreak in 1944 in Nanaimo, British Columbia was reported in 1947 (3); In China, Wu et al. first reported botulism in Xinjiang in 1958 due to edible semi-finished noodle sauce (4). A better understanding of the epidemiology of botulism outbreaks can help tailor local prevention and public health response strategies. Here, we reviewed surveillance data on outbreaks, illnesses, and deaths of botulism in China from 2004 to 2020.

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Posted in Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, Decontamination Microbial, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Research

Ukraine – HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BOTULISM IN SUMMER

Posted on June 16, 2022 by | Leave a comment

PHC

Since the beginning of the week, six people with a previous diagnosis of botulism have been hospitalized in different regions of Ukraine – Volyn, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Kherson and Kyiv. Among the causes of the disease, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call the use of fried and dried river fish of their own cooking or unknown production, home canned food. 

We remind you that botulism is a food poisoning that can lead to serious consequences. In summer, when the air temperature rises, you should pay attention to the conditions of storage and cooking. Therefore, to protect against botulism, you should avoid the following products if you have doubts about their quality and storage / transportation conditions:  

  • dried, smoked, salted and canned fish;
  • canned meat and mushrooms;
  • home canned food.

Symptoms of botulism:

  • visual impairment – you can’t read the text, but you can see objects well;
  • severe dry mouth;
  • difficult to speak (voice becomes quiet, hoarse or disappears);
  • increased fatigue, muscle weakness;
  • dizziness;
  • short-term signs of damage to the digestive system (nausea, vomiting, weak stools), and then – the stage of intestinal paresis (bloating, constipation);
  • lesions of the muscles of the neck and limbs.

Symptoms of botulism often appear gradually, without sharp rises in temperature, so there is an illusion of frivolity. Later there is a visual impairment – one of the first signs of botulism. At the same time there is thirst, dryness of the mucous membranes, swallowing disorders, may change the tone of voice. Patients complain of a feeling of “lump” in the throat, pain when swallowing, sore throat.

Neurological symptoms last for several days and are accompanied by a general toxic syndrome – patients complain of severe headache, dizziness, insomnia, general weakness, fever. In severe cases, patients are concerned about the feeling of shortness of breath. Respiratory failure develops, which is the cause of death in botulism.

At the slightest suspicion of botulism, see a doctor immediately! 

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Posted in botulism, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, food safety training, Food Testing, Food Toxin

Research – Recent Developments in Botulinum Neurotoxins Detection

Posted on May 15, 2022 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

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Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are produced as protein complexes by bacteria of the genus Clostridium that are Gram-positive, anaerobic and spore forming (Clostridium botulinum, C. butyricum, C. baratii and C. argentinense spp.). BoNTs show a high immunological and genetic diversity. Therefore, fast, precise, and more reliable detection methods are still required to monitor outbreaks and ensure surveillance of botulism. The botulinum toxin field also comprises therapeutic uses, basic research studies and biodefense issues. This review presents currently available detection methods, and new methods offering the potential of enhanced precision and reproducibility. While the immunological methods offer a range of benefits, such as rapid analysis time, reproducibility and high sensitivity, their implementation is subject to the availability of suitable tools and reagents, such as specific antibodies. Currently, the mass spectrometry approach is the most sensitive in vitro method for a rapid detection of active or inactive forms of BoNTs. However, these methods require inter-laboratory validation before they can be more widely implemented in reference laboratories. In addition, these surrogate in vitro models also require full validation before they can be used as replacement bioassays of potency. Cell-based assays using neuronal cells in culture recapitulate all functional steps of toxin activity, but are still at various stages of development; they are not yet sufficiently robust, due to high batch-to-batch cell variability. Cell-based assays have a strong potential to replace the mouse bioassay (MBA) in terms of BoNT potency determination in pharmaceutical formulations; they can also help to identify suitable inhibitors while reducing the number of animals used. However, the development of safe countermeasures still requires the use of in vivo studies to complement in vitro immunological or cell-based approaches. View Full-Text

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Italy – Food safety, episode of botulism linked to the consumption of a package of pesto and almonds

Posted on May 11, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Salute

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It is reported that a laboratory confirmed case of botulism occurred in Rome. 

The epidemiological investigation has identified as a suspect food a Sicilian broccoli and almond pesto which , according to the information available to date, appears to have been given as a gift about two months earlier .  

In the food exhibit analyzed by the ISS for the search for toxins and botulinum spores, which was still negative, it was reported  in the label of the glass jar.

“ The biodynamic farm – Sicilian broccoli pesto and almonds.
Product grown strictly following the biodynamic method controlled by BIO -DYNAMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE and packaged by The biodynamic farm, Strada Freddano, 20 – 01100 Viterbo.
210g and Ingredients: biodynamic Sicilian broccoli, almonds.

Store in the refrigerator after opening, at a temperature of 4 ° C and consume quickly “.

No batch or expiry date was indicated on the label and on the guarantee seal of the jar .

Following the investigations of the local competent authorities at the farm  and  as declared by the current owner , it emerged that   the  pesto was produced for self –  consumption  and that from November 2021  the production of all the preserves   was  suspended  . It was not possible to trace the exact number of jars of Sicilian broccoli pesto and almonds produced, nor how many were possibly given away.

Citizens are therefore invited, as a precaution, not to consume the aforementioned Sicilian broccoli and almond pesto, possibly received as a gift, paying attention to non-compliant labeling due to lack of batch and expiry  or  even absent.

The Istituto Superiore di Sanità  represents that  Clostridium  botulinum  (botulinum) is an environmental spore-forming microorganism that can naturally contaminate raw materials and composite foods. Generally the level of environmental contamination in botulinum spores is very low and can be punctate, therefore in the same production batch, it can occur that only some packages are contaminated. Since the consumption of minimal quantities of food contaminated with botulinum toxins can cause the disease, anyone holding a jar that corresponds to the above characteristics should also avoid tasting it.

Possessors of suspicious packs can safely eliminate them using the following procedure:

  • Completely immerse the package in a pot containing water (bain marie).
  • Bring the water to a boil for at least 30 minutes.
  • Cool the package.
  • Open the package and dispose of its contents following the procedures currently used for the disposal of organic waste.

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Posted in Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, food safety training, Food Testing, Food Toxin

USA – Suspected botulism death prompts warning about home-canned food

Posted on April 27, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Public health officials in Washington state are urging people to practice safe procedures for home canning after a man died during the weekend.

The man, from Grays Harbor County, was between 55 and 65 years old, according to a news release from the public health department. 

The department has not yet released any other information about the man, except to say it is believed he died from botulism poisoning. Testing is ongoing to confirm the cause of death.

“Grays Harbor County Environmental Health assisted the property owner with the safe disposal of around 170 pint-sized jars of home-canned food and canning jars per CDC guidelines,” according to the county’s news release. 

Botulism is odorless and cannot be seen or tasted; however, even a small taste of food containing the toxin can be deadly, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease control and Prevention, the county release warns.

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USA -Soul Cedar Farm Recalls Zesty Sweet Peppers for Possible Botulism

Posted on April 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

AGR

Soul Cedar Farm in Quilcene, Washington is voluntarily recalling all batches of shelf-stable Zesty Sweet Peppers because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin, according to the Washington State Department of Health. As of April 19, 2022 there are no reports of illness that are associated with the consumption of this product.

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Posted in Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin