Botulism outbreaks linked to commercially canned foods are rare, but they can cause paralysis or even death.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Botulism induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Botulism after eating a recalled food, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Examples of Botulism Recalls
- Cold Smoked Capelin Fish
- GEISHA Canned Shrimp
- The Chai Box Chai Concentrate Mix
- Sockeye Salmon Caviar
- Canned tuna and salmon
- Canned Seafood
- Skipanon Seafood
- Randall Beans
- Death Wish Coffee
- And many more
Botulism Outbreak Linked to Hot Dog Chili Sauce
In July 2007, health officials in Indiana, Texas, and Ohio reported an outbreak of botulism. At least 8 people were infected with botulism after eating Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce that was commercially-produced.
What is Botulism?
Botulism is a life-threatening illness that is caused by toxins from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which occurs naturally in the soil. These toxins attack the body’s nerves. Infections can cause paralysis, difficulty breathing, or death.
Signs & Symptoms of Botulism
The symptoms of botulism usually start in the head and go down the body. They typically start with muscle weakness in the face, eyes, or throat. The weakness may spread down to the torso, lungs, or legs.
Early Warning Signs of Botulism
The early warning signs of botulism may include:
- Double and blurred vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Slurred speech
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weak muscles
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
How Do You Get Botulism From Food?
Home-canned vegetables or pickled foods are the most common source of botulism in the U.S., but even store-bought products can carry the botulinum toxin if they are not processed correctly.
Low-acid foods that are improperly canned, preserved, or fermented are the most common source of botulism. This includes all vegetables, some tomatoes, figs, all meats, fish, and seafood.
There have also been reports of botulism contamination in chopped garlic in oil (or homemade oils infused with garlic or herbs), canned cheese sauce, carrot juice, and baked potatoes wrapped in tin foil.
How Can You Tell if Food Has Botulism?
Tasting even a small sip of food that contains the botulism toxin can be deadly — but there is no way to see, smell, or taste the toxin. You should suspect that a food is unsafe and throw it out if:
- The container spurts liquid or foam when you open it
- The food inside is discolored, moldy, or smells bad
- The container is leaking, bulging, or swollen
- The container looks damaged, cracked, or abnormal
Do I have a Botulism Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Botulism induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Botulism after eating a recalled food, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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