Bis Repetita. One year after the tragedy in Bordeaux that shook France, new cases of food botulism have been reported. In total, according to the Directorate General of Health, five people were hospitalized in intensive care or placed in intensive care after consuming the same product, homemade canned wild garlic pesto. “The investigations carried out showed the lack of control over the sterilization process of these preserves.”
As a reminder, foodborne botulism is a serious and potentially fatal, but rare, illness. It is a poisoning caused by the ingestion of powerful neurotoxins, botulinum toxins, present in contaminated food. Botulinum toxin has been found in a variety of foods in the past, including slightly acidic preserved vegetables such as green beans, spinach, mushrooms, and beets; fish, including canned tuna; fermented, salted, or smoked fish; and meat products such as ham and sausage. Honey has also been implicated in cases of infant botulism, particularly in the United States.
As the World Health Organization states on its website, the foods involved differ from country to country and reflect local consumption habits and storage procedures. Occasionally, industrially prepared foods are also implicated.
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Marked fatigue, weakness, dizziness
Specifically, botulinum toxins are neurotoxic and therefore act on the nervous system. Foodborne botulism is characterized by descending flaccid paralysis that can lead to respiratory failure. The first symptoms felt are marked fatigue, weakness and dizziness. They are usually followed by vision problems, a feeling of dry mouth and difficulty swallowing and speaking. Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and abdominal swelling may also occur. Note that botulism is not transmitted from one individual to another.
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In general, it is important to follow certain principles to prevent food poisoning. For example, get into the habit of cleanliness; make sure to separate raw foods from cooked foods; cook food thoroughly; store them at the right temperature and use safe water and products.
