Pesto linked to five botulism cases in France

Several people are suspected to have developed botulism after eating pesto in France.

The Centre-Val-de-Loire Regional Health Agency received reports of five probable cases of botulism following a family meal.

Sick people ate wild garlic pesto from the “O Ptits Oignons” brand. The five cases are currently hospitalized in an intensive care unit.

Leftover food, including the pesto, was sent to the Institut Pasteur for analysis.

An investigation by the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations of Indre-et-Loire at the producer revealed that the artisanal production conditions do not guarantee sterilization. As a precaution, all jars were recalled.

The pesto was sold at four events in Indre-et-Loire, with the first at the end of March 2024 and the latest on Sept. 7 and 8.

Authorities advised people who still had the products not to consume them, not to open them, and to throw them away.

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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