Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a bacterium which occurs in soil. It produces a toxin that affects your nerves. Botulism food poisoning (also called foodborne botulism) comes from eating foods contaminated with the toxin.
Here are the common food sources of botulism:
Infants less than 1 year old (also called infant botulism)
- honey
- home-canned vegetables and fruits
- corn syrup
Children and adults
- home-canned foods with a low acid content, such as corn, green beans, and beets
- improperly canned commercial foods
- home-canned or fermented fish, herb-infused oils, baked potatoes in aluminum foil, cheese sauce, bottled garlic
- foods held warm for extended periods of time
Do not hesitate to throw the canned food when you see it
- is leaking, moldy, or has bulges
- looks damaged or cracked
- spurts liquid or foam when you open it
- has an abnormal color or smells bad
If, unfortunately, you or your family members get botulism, make an emergency call such as 911 immediately.
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