Botulism: Rice snack shuts down New Zealand man’s organs

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Douglas Powell

A spicy rice snack pack very nearly turned into the last meal Richard Strang ate.

It left him in a four-day induced coma in Wellington Hospital, his stay due to a toxin not seen in New Zealand for more than 30 years.

Strang, who had been living in Japan, was visiting his mother in Wellington last month when he ate a pack of pre-cooked “heat and eat” organic risotto that was probably well past its best-before date.

He was struck down by botulism, a rare and potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin that attacks the nervous system.

His lungs and other organs began shutting down, and “it was all pretty much touch and go”, he said.

The last – and only – suspected case was that of two Rotorua sisters thought to have contracted botulism from watercress and boiled mussels in 1984.

Botulism was also the toxin wrongly thought to have been present in a batch of whey sent to China by Fonterra in 2013.

Strang is still going through rehabilitation, and needs to stay in New Zealand until he regains enough strength to return to Japan.

The Ministry for Primary Industries said the rice snack he ate contained no preservatives, and “incorrect handling” was thought to be the cause of his illness.

The meal had been made following appropriate regulations, but MPI understood it was not refrigerated, as instructed, and was eaten “well after its likely best-before date”.

You see a cute turtle, I see a bug factory: Infant botulism from C. butyricum

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Douglas Powell

We describe two cases of infant botulism due to Clostridium butyricum producing botulinum type E neurotoxin (BoNT/E) and a previously unreported environmental source.

The infants presented at age 11 days with poor feeding and lethargy, hypotonia, dilated pupils and absent reflexes. Fecal samples were positive for C. butyricum BoNT/E. The infants recovered after treatment including botulism immune globulin intravenous (BIG-IV).

C. butyricum BoNT/E was isolated from water from tanks housing pet ‘yellow-bellied’ terrapins (Trachemys scripta scripta): in case A the terrapins were in the infant’s home; in case B a relative fed the terrapin prior to holding and feeding the infant when both visited another relative. C. butyricum isolates from the infants and the respective terrapin tank waters were indistinguishable by molecular typing. Review of a case of C. butyricum BoNT/E botulism in the UK found that there was a pet terrapin where the infant was living.

It is concluded that the C. butyricum-producing BoNT type E in these cases of infant botulism most likely originated from pet terrapins. These findings reinforce public health advice that reptiles, including terrapins, are not suitable pets for children aged <5 years, and highlight the importance of hand washing after handling these pets.

Infant botulism due to C. butyricum type E toxin: a novel environmental association with pet terrapins

Epidemiology and Infection / Volume 143 / Issue 03 / February 2015, pp 461-469

E.B. Shelley, D. O’Rourke, K. Grant, E. McArdle, L. Capra, A. Clarke, E. McNamara, R. Cunney, P. McKeown, C.F.L. Amar, C. Cosgrove, M. Fitzgerald, P. Harrington, P. Garvey, F. Grainger, J. Griffin, B.J. Lynch, G. McGrane, J. Murphy, N. Ni Shuibhne and J. Prosser

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9527948&utm_source=Issue_Alert&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=HYG&utm_reader=feedly

Botulism-in-seal-oil outbreak under control, says Alaska

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Douglas Powell

The outbreak of botulism across a few Southwest Alaska communities from a batch of seal oil appears to be contained, but not all of those who consumed some of the product are out of the woods just yet.

Dr. Michael Cooper is the Infections Disease Program Manager with the state’s Public Health Department. He says medical officials are still keeping an eye on just over a handful of the original 25 who were known to eaten some of the contaminated oil:

“We’re down to seven or eight people who are still being monitored, one until December 31, one until January 1, and five until January 2. They’re asymptomatic, and we’re just watching them, checking in daily, to see if they develop symptoms,” said Dr. Cooper.

Dr. Cooper said the batch of contaminated seal oil has been accounted for and destroyed.

25 sick: Botulism in seal oil in Southwest Alaska

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Douglas Powell

A botulism outbreak in Bristol Bay communities is being monitored by state and local health officials, according to the state Department of Epidemiology, which said Wednesday that more than 25 people have so far been linked to a batch of contaminated seal oil produced in the village of Twin Hills.

Alaska Dispatch News reports that several people have been hospitalized, some are being monitored and health officials are still trying to contact others.

The first botulism cases were reported Friday after two people were flown from the village of Quinhagak to Bethel for care. The two were later taken by medevac to Anchorage and remained on respiratory support Wednesday, reportedly unable to breathe on their own, according to a state official monitoring the outbreak.

Three others from Quinhagak were treated for symptoms of botulism, and others in Twin Hills and Dillingham have reported symptoms or are being monitored. One child has also shown symptoms of the disease, which can be fatal, according to Dr. Michael Cooper, the infectious disease program manager at the Department of Epidemiology.

“This is a very concerning outbreak,” said Cooper. “This is one of the largest clusters of botulism we’ve ever seen.”

An investigation linked the illnesses to a batch of seal oil produced in Twin Hills, and Cooper said testing conducted at a state lab revealed the oil was particularly toxic.

“When it was tested, it came back at the highest level the lab instrument can measure for botulinum toxin,” he said Wednesday.

The testing was completed Tuesday, and Wednesday morning, the state dispatched a second public health nurse from Anchorage to continue the investigation out of Dillingham.

“In an odd twist to this case, after we showed preliminary test results to the family who produced the oil, they sort of refused to stop eating or serving it,” said Cooper.

Safe food is good business: Fonterra still in a state of denial

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Douglas Powell

Fran O’Sullivan writes in The New Zealand Herald that, there is one salient comment in the report by Queens Counsel Miriam Dean into the WPC80 incident that ought to give Fonterra’s directors and shareholders cause for concern: “A company that is more focused on its own commercial reputation in a crisis does so at its peril. Companies should think about consumer safety first and reputation second. If consumers lose trust in a company, that will be its undoing.”

The inquiry into the “WPC80 incident: causes and responses” provides plenty of evidence that Fonterra broke this most basic rule for a food industry company leading up to and during the false botulism scare. Throughout the crisis – and the events that gave rise to it – the company was slow to put food safety as its priority because it did not have the appropriate culture.

It was instead focused on production and market share.

This aspect has to some extent been glossed over in the prior Fonterra management report and the review undertaken by the Fonterra board itself.

These reports have talked about a “silo mentality” and “Fortress Fonterra”.

But these are simply manifestations of the lack of clear communications platforms (and adherence to them) that existed at the food co-operative in August 2013 when the crisis emerged. It is not the fundamental issue.

What is more compelling is the fact that staff cut corners when they shouldn’t have; food traceability systems were lacking, the liaison with AgResearch over the tests of the suspect whey protein concentrate was a joke; the management and board did not meet their obligations to report the suspected contamination to the Ministry of Primary Industries within agreed deadlines; Fonterra went out to the market with wrong information about a customer’s products (Karicare) costing that company massive brand damage, and, did not apply a rigorous fact checking process before issuing communications.

Or as my friend Gary noted, good risk communicators are hard to find.

Bruno’s not-so Best with botulism risk: Advisory for customers of Canada’s Finest at Sea Ocean Products

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Douglas Powell

Vancouver Coastal Health is warning customers of Finest at Sea Ocean Products not to consume certain ready to eat seafood products.

Four different varieties of fish products sold under the brand name “Bruno’s Best” have been recalled because they could potentially grow Clostridium botulinum. The products were sold at Finest at Sea’s 4675 Arbutus and 1805 Mast Tower, Granville Island locations in Vancouver, B.C., between June 1 and October 7, 2014. Customers are being advised to either throw the products out or return them to either of these stores.

During an inspection, inspectors discovered that these products were not processed using a validated method consistent with food safety standards. The retailer has stopped selling the items and is fully cooperating.

no illnesses associated with the consumption of the recalled products have been reported.

The following Bruno’s Best products, sold in various weights, are affected by this alert:

Fancy food ain’t safe food — Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Seed Pesto edition

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Douglas Powell

Williams-Sonoma is recalling Williams-Sonoma brand Pumpkin Seed Pesto from the marketplace because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name: Williams-Sonoma

Common Name: Pumpkin Seed Pesto

Size: 227 g

Code(s) on Product: Best Before January 2016

UPC: SKU 6404305 and 6389043

What you should do

Check to see if you have recalled product in your home. Recalled product should be thrown out or returned to the store where it was purchased.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, blurred or double vision, dry mouth, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Background

This recall was triggered by the company. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled product from the marketplace.

Illnesses

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Food porn isn’t food safety: Williams-Sonoma sauce recalled for potential botulism risk

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Douglas Powell

Williams-Sonoma always sounded a bit fancy pants to me.

My introduction was through a decent turkey recipe Amy had in one of those glossy catalogues — the catalogues made obsolete by the Internet.

But it looked pretty, as most food porn does.

Yet food porn is no replacement for food safety.

California Department of Public Health officials warned the public Friday of a potential botulism risk in a sauce sold at Williams-Sonoma retailers.

Director and State Health Officer Ron Chapman said consumers should not eat Pumpkin Seed Pesto Sauce sold by the retailer because it may have been improperly produced, which made it susceptible to contamination with the botulism toxin.

Authorities said the manufacturer, California Olive and Vine, LLC, voluntarily recalled the product after the CDPH determined it had been improperly processed.

The product has been sold nationwide at retail stores since September, authorities said.

The product was packaged in 8-ounce glass jars with screw-on metal lids, CDPH officials said.

The recalled product can be identified by looking for the stock keeping unit numbers 6404305 and 6389043.

Consumers who have had contact any of these products, or any foods made with these products, are urged to discard them immediately.

Health officials advised of double bagging the jars and placing them in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash while wearing gloves.

Cincinnati woman sues after botulism diagnosis

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Douglas Powell

A local woman who was diagnosed with botulism is suing the manufacturer of a pesto sauce, claiming their product led to her 38-day hospitalization and caused her to lose a scholarship.

Kathryn Napierski consumed VR Green Farms Pine Nut Basil Pesto on July 13, two weeks before health officials warned consumers of the potential botulism contamination of jarred food products from VR Green Farms, according to the lawsuit.

Improperly processed low-acid foods sold at Virginia farmers market; health alert issued

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Ben Chapman

In 2011, a 29-year-old man was hospitalized after five days of progressive dizziness, blurred vision, dysphagia, and difficulty breathing. The patient required mechanical ventilation and botulism antitoxin. He remained in the hospital for 57 days and then spent some time in a rehabilitation facility. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he had tasted some potato soup that included botulinum toxin.

In 1977, 59 patrons of a Detroit Mexican restaurant became ill with botulism after consuming improperly canned peppers. As a result of rumors of a pending shortage of fresh peppers, the restaurant staff decided to stick lightly-cooked peppers and some water in jars and seal them.

Putting low acid foods in a jar and sealing them without either acidifying (with vinegar/fermentation) or processing using pressure is a bad idea.

According to WTVR, Corfino Foods of Richmond VA has been selling soups and sauces that were improperly processed resulting in a health alert from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

These products were improperly processed, making them susceptible to contamination with Clostridium botulinum.

Corfinio Foods has already suspended production of all of its canned soups and sauces and the firm is currently working with VDACS to come into compliance with state requirements.

Although there have been no reported cases of illness associated with these products, VDACS is issuing this consumer warning so that people who have previously purchased the products do not consume them.

The soups and sauces are packaged in glass, mason style jars with metal, screw on lids and have been sold at the Brandermill Green Market. The jars are marked with the Corfinio Foods label.

The firm was made aware of the dangers associated with selling improperly processed foods of this type and is working with VDACS and the market to notify consumers of the product recall.

Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should discard them immediately. They should double bag the jars in plastic bags and place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash. Those who don’t wear gloves when handling these products should wash their hands with soap and running water after handling.

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