Botulism outbreak in France (Health Protection Agency, UK, September 9 2011, edited)

[Giuseppe]

[Source: Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom, full page: (LINK). Edited.]

Botulism outbreak in France



9 September 2011



The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has been made aware of eight cases of botulism in French adults in France. Five of these cases were confirmed in the Vaucluse region of southern France and three were in the Somme, in northern France. All of these cases are now being treated in hospital.

Investigations by French health authorities have found that all of these cases consumed either a green olive and almond tapenade, or a spreadable tomato paste, which are sold under the brand names "Les D?lices de Marie-Claire", "Terre de Mistral" and "Les Secrets d'Ana?s".

All of these products have been tested and it has been confirmed that they are contaminated with the toxin that causes botulism, and have now been withdrawn from sale in France. No cases have been identified in the UK, but anyone who has recently travelled to these areas and purchased any products with these brand names is being urged not to eat them.

Botulism is a rare, but very serious, disease caused by botulinum toxin, which is a poison produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Foodborne botulism is caused by eating food that has been contaminated with botulinum toxin as a result of it being improperly canned or preserved.

Dr Kathie Grant, a botulism expert at the HPA, said "We're strongly advising anyone who has purchased food items with these brand names while in France not to consume them. If you have already eaten any of these recalled products and feel unwell afterwards, it's really important that you seek medical attention straight away, and that you tell your doctor that you've eaten food from these brands."

More information on this outbreak of botulism can be found on the Food Standards Agency website at http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/sep/botulism

Advice for travellers and health professionals can be found on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website at www.nathnac.org

More information on botulism can be found on the HPA website at http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/Botulism/
Last reviewed: 9 September 2011

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[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Botulism outbreak in France (Health Protection Agency, UK, September 9 2011, edited)

FDA Warns Consumers of Botulism Risk in La Ruche Tapenade, Spreadable
Tomato Paste
Severe botulism cases reported in France linked to these products
SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The FDA is warning consumers not to eat tapenade or spreadable dried tomato paste manufactured by the French food company La Ruche. French health authorities have reported an outbreak of botulism in France linked to the company's products sold under the brand names "Les delices de Marie-Claire," "Terre de Mistral" and Les Secrets d'Anais." Eight adults are currently suffering from respiratory failure as a result of eating foods containing the neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum.

French authorities have ordered production halted at the company's facility in France and have directed that all products sold under those brand names be recalled. Products of the brands noted above are considered a severe threat to public health and should not be eaten. If consumers purchased any of these products, either while traveling in France or online, throw them away. If consumers have recently eaten any of these products and have symptoms of botulism, see your healthcare provider immediately...

http://health.mo.gov/index.php