Key Development

A 78-year-old woman has died, and another patient remains in intensive care after a botulism outbreak in Cholet, France. The outbreak has been traced to a homemade carrot cake made using home-stored carrots. According to health officials, six people fell seriously ill between July 7 and 14 after consuming the contaminated cake.

Experts believe the illness resulted from bacterial contamination due to improper storage of carrots in a jar. Health authorities have urged the public to discard any canned or jarred foods that show signs of spoilage, such as swelling, discolouration, foul odour, or lack of the typical ‘pop’ sound when opened.

Understanding Botulism

Botulism is a rare but life-threatening illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Symptoms usually appear within 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food and may include blurred vision, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, and even paralysis.

Botulism Cases on the Rise in France

Between 2018 and 2024, France reported 74 botulism outbreaks and 122 confirmed cases, according to Santé publique France. Of these, 56 outbreaks were foodborne, mostly linked to homemade or poorly processed foods. In one notable case, improper sterilisation of canned sardines at a restaurant in Bordeaux led to 15 infections and one death. Among the 97 foodborne botulism cases, 85% required hospitalisation, and 35% needed respiratory support. Most infections involved botulinum toxin types B and A. In response, authorities continue to stress the need for safe home food preservation and proper canning practices to prevent further outbreaks.

Source: Food Safety News