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Botulism Outbreaks and Recalls

Botulism The following information on botulism outbreaks and recalls is provided by the law firm of Pritzker | Ruohonen, one of the few law firms in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.  The firm is currently investigating botulism cases associated with Castleberry Chili and other products. Attorney Fred Pritzker has recovered millions for victims of food poisoning, including a recent $6,425,000 settlement.  In recognition of his achievements, he has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers of America.  To contact an attorney at Pritzker | Ruohonen, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.

Detection of Clostridium botulinum to Find Source of Botulism Outbreak
There are 10 to 30 botulism cases in the United States each year.  Since foodborne botulism results from ingestion of the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, determination of the source of a botulism outbreak is based on detection and identification of toxin in the food involved. The most widely accepted method is the injection of extracts of the food into passively immunized mice (mouse neutralization test). The test takes 48 hours. This analysis is followed by culturing all suspect food in an enrichment medium for the detection and isolation of the causative organism. This test takes 7 days.

Selected Botulism Outbreaks
Most botulism outbreaks are associated with inadequately-processed, home-canned foods, but commercially-produced food products have been involved in outbreaks.  Two separate outbreaks of botulism have occurred involving commercially canned salmon. Restaurant foods such as sauteed onions, chopped bottled garlic, potato salad made from baked potatoes and baked potatoes themselves have been responsible for a number of outbreaks. Also, smoked fish, both hot and cold-smoke (e.g., Kapchunka) have caused outbreaks of type E botulism.

Hot Dog Chili Sauce
Pritzker | Ruohonen has been contacted by a possible victim of the botulism outbreak linked to hot dog chili sauce.  Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized.  Learn more about the botulism-chili sauce recall and possible lawsuit.  Read about the related recall of canned chili and other products and about a Kroger Chili Sauce lawsuit.

Italian Olives
The FDA has made an urgent announcement regarding the Italian olives recalled due to possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism.  The affected brands include:  Bonta di Puglia, Cento, Corrado's, Dal Raccolto, Flora, Roland and Vantia.  All sizes of cans, glass jars and pouches of Cerignola, Nocerella and Castelvetrano type olives are affected.  Learn more about the recalled Italian olives.

Earth's Best Organic Baby Food
February 16, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use certain jars of Earth’s Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby food because of the risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.  Learn more about the recall of Earth's Best organic baby food due to risk of botulism.

Carrot Juice
As of September 29, 2006, Bolthouse Farms brand carrot juice has sickened 4 people, including a woman from Florida who, as of September 29, was experiencing paralysis.  Read more about the botulism outbreak linked to carrot juice.

Dried Fish
In October and November, 1987, 8 cases of botulism occurred, 2 in New York City and 6 in Israel. All 8 patients had consumed Kapchunka, an uneviscerated, dry-salted, air-dried, whole whitefish. The product was made in New York City and some of it was transported by individuals to Israel. All 8 patients with botulism developed symptoms within 36 hours of consuming the Kapchunka. One female died, 2 required breathing assistance, 3 were treated therapeutically with antitoxin, and 3 recovered spontaneously.

Bottled Garlic
Bottled, chopped garlic-in-oil mix was responsible for three cases of botulism in Kingston, N.Y. Two men and a woman were hospitalized with botulism after consuming a chopped garlic-in-oil mix that had been used in a spread for garlic bread. The bottled chopped garlic relied solely on refrigeration to ensure safety and did not contain any additional antibotulinal additives or barriers. 
 
Potato Salad
Three outbreaks have occurred, resulting in 50 people ill and one fatality. It is thought that the Clostridium botulinum was present in the baked potatoes used for the salad. These had been stored at ambient temperatures for several days before use.

Sauteed Onions
Sauteed onions were implicated in an outbreak in a restaurant in America. 28 people were affected, with one fatality.


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