By Brittney McNamara, Teen Vogue
A California man is dead and nine others are sick after they ate nacho cheese from a gas station that reportedly gave them botulism, a rare but sometimes deadly form of food poisoning.
NPR reports Martin Galindo died several weeks after he became ill with botulism that apparently stemmed from nacho cheese in a Walnut Grove, California, gas station. Nine others also got ill from the cheese, which has since been removed from the gas station and no longer poses a public risk.
[post_ads]According to the Centers for Disease Control, botulism is a rare but serious illness mainly caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and sometimes by strains of Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii. Homemade foods, particularly home canned foods, most often cause botulism, but store-bought foods can also sometimes contain the toxin. Botulism has no smell or taste, but even consuming a little bit of the toxin can be deadly, according to the CDC. In store-bought or home canned goods, bulges, leaks, cracks, signs of damage, foaming, or spurting liquids upon opening can all indicate potential botulism. The CDC recommends throwing away any food you suspect may be contaminated. Someone who does contract botulism may have symptoms including double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, trouble swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness.
NBC News reports botulism is fatal in about 5% of cases.
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In 2015, homemade potato salad at a church potluck in Ohio caused the largest botulism outbreak in the United States in 40 years. In this outbreak, 29 were sickened and one died. Prior to that, 16 people in Texas got botulism from frozen, canned chili in 2001, but none died.In a statement, California Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said this outbreak is a reminder to be vigilant about food safety, particularly during the summer months as barbecues and other outdoor cooking events start up.
NPR reports Martin Galindo died several weeks after he became ill with botulism that apparently stemmed from nacho cheese in a Walnut Grove, California, gas station. Nine others also got ill from the cheese, which has since been removed from the gas station and no longer poses a public risk.
[post_ads]According to the Centers for Disease Control, botulism is a rare but serious illness mainly caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and sometimes by strains of Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii. Homemade foods, particularly home canned foods, most often cause botulism, but store-bought foods can also sometimes contain the toxin. Botulism has no smell or taste, but even consuming a little bit of the toxin can be deadly, according to the CDC. In store-bought or home canned goods, bulges, leaks, cracks, signs of damage, foaming, or spurting liquids upon opening can all indicate potential botulism. The CDC recommends throwing away any food you suspect may be contaminated. Someone who does contract botulism may have symptoms including double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, trouble swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness.
NBC News reports botulism is fatal in about 5% of cases.
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In 2015, homemade potato salad at a church potluck in Ohio caused the largest botulism outbreak in the United States in 40 years. In this outbreak, 29 were sickened and one died. Prior to that, 16 people in Texas got botulism from frozen, canned chili in 2001, but none died.In a statement, California Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said this outbreak is a reminder to be vigilant about food safety, particularly during the summer months as barbecues and other outdoor cooking events start up.
