Botulism sickens six in France

Half a dozen people have needed hospital treatment in France after developing botulism from food stored in a jar.

The Pays de la Loire Regional Health Agency (ARS) said it was informed of the botulism cases in the Cholet area. Six people developed severe symptoms between July 7 and 14, requiring hospitalization.

Investigations among the sick people and their relatives are focusing on the consumption of carrots kept in a jar by one of the patients. The carrots were used in a cake eaten at different times by those sick.

Efforts are ongoing to determine how many people in the family and friends group also consumed the suspected item, which is not commercially available.

Health officials said when opening a canned or jarred product, if there is an abnormal odor or color, if the can does not make a noise when opened, or if it is swollen, the product should be thrown away and not consumed.

In September 2024, five people developed botulism after eating pesto under the brand “O ptits oignons” in the Indre-et-Loire department.

In September 2023, during the Rugby World Cup, foodborne botulism affected 16 people in Bordeaux. Patients consumed locally produced canned sardines at Tchin Tchin Wine Bar restaurant. 

Botulinum poisoning is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, they can occur as soon as six hours or up to 10 days later.

Symptoms may include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, paralysis — particularly of muscles used for breathing — a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth, and muscle weakness.

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