MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'botulism'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:23:06 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4606777&cid=t_168769_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F03%2F17%2Fbotulism-in-canada%2F A recent episode involving contaminated jelly belies the fact that current botulism rates in Canada are only half those reported in the United States [see graph] The following background data on botulism in Canada are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] Primary references are available on request. Historical background: The first outbreak of botulism in Canada was recorded in 1919. - A total of 100 outbreaks involving over 230 cases had been reported to 2005. - Botulism is primarily encountered among the First Nations and Inuit people. - Rates of 30 per 100,000 per year are reported among the Inuit. - Most cases in recent years have been caused by fermented salmon roe (‘stink eggs’ or ‘gink’) in British Columbia; and fermented sea mammal meat among the ... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4606777 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 06:11:35 +0100 4606777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3564198&cid=t_168769_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F3EvTun6vQgU%2F An Oklahoma jury awarded $15 million in a negligent-damage verdict against Allergan in a lawsuit that was brought by Sharla Helton, a 48-year-old obstetrician and gynecologist, who suffered years of pain after getting Botox injections. Helton lost her job four years ago and blamed Botox for double vision, breathing difficulty and years of continual pains in her arms, hands and feet. The verdict is the “first step in making sure the public is aware of the actual risks of Botox. It’s a steppingstone to protect the public from what the company is hiding,” Helton tells The Orange County Register. “Hopefully, now people will wake up to the real dangers.” The jury, which did not award punitive damages, also found that Botox was not defective. Allergan plans to appeal. A key... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3564198 Fri, 14 May 2010 15:10:15 +0100 3564198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3224801&cid=t_168769_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F01%2Finfectious-diseases-caused-grampositive-organisms%2F The infectious diseases caused by gram-positive bacteria are Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) Botulism Diphtheria Gas Gangrene Rheumatic Fever Toxic Shock Syndrome Whipple’s Disease (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3224801 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:36:57 +0100 3224801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2959105&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fbabies-and-botulism-one-babys-story.html November 4, 2009Logan Douglas, 16 weeks old, is in an Edinburgh, Scotland hospital, in "critical but stable condition" today – the first Scottish victim of infant botulism since 1983 (as far back as can be traced in the country's electronic records).Six weeks ago, according to BBC, Logan was admitted to Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Sick Children with symptoms of infant botulism. A lab test confirmed the diagnosis. Doctors suspect that Logan contracted the disease as a result of sucking on a pacifier that had been dipped in honey.Infant botulism occurs when a baby or toddler with an immature digestive system eats something – usually honey – that contains live spores of Clostridium botulinum. These spores, which are unable to develop in a mature digestive system, are able to grow and... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2959105 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:15:00 +0100 2959105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934972&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Frecall-roundup-october-27-2009.html Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.United StatesFood Safety Recall: Crocetti's Oakdale Packing Co. (d.b.a. South Shore Meats, Inc., Brockton, MA) recalls approximately 1,039 pounds of fresh ground beef patties derived from bench trim as well as mechanically tenderized beef cuts that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled meat has been implicated in an outbreak of gastroenteritis that occurred among a group of Rhode Island school children who attended a camp in Massachusetts earlier this month.Food Safety Recall: San Link, Inc. (Staten Island, NY) recalls vacuum pack dried ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934972 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:20:00 +0100 2934972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2931313&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Frecall-roundup-october-26-2009.html Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.United StatesAllergy Alert: Mars Snackfood US recalls its Dove Caramel Pecan Perfection ice cream with the lot number 931AB5YN07 because it may contain undeclared peanuts.Food Safety Recall: San Link Inc (54B Marjorie Street Staten Island, NY) recalls Vacuum Pack Dried Krasnoperka (fish) because the product, which was imported from Russia, was found to be uneviscerated. Uneviscerated vacuum packaged fish poses a risk of botulism.EuropeAllergy Alert (UK): Empire Food Brokers Ltd, recalls Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Dipped Reeses Cookies, 255g due to the pr... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2931313 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:16:00 +0100 2931313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912556&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fbabies-and-botulism.html October 21, 2009Plum Organics recalled a batch of its Apple & Carrot Portable Pouch baby food (Best Before Date: May 21, 2010) on October 19th after determining that – as the result of a mixing error – the product's acidity level did not meet FDA guidelines. The recall notice cited a risk of botulism.What does acidity have to do with botulism?Clostridium botulinum – the microbe that causes botulism – does not grow or produce its deadly toxin in the presence of oxygen, or in acidic foods. Foods that are not very acidic and are packaged in hermetically sealed cans, jars or pouches, are prime environments for the production of botulinum toxin. FDA, therefore, mandates very stringent and specific processing conditions for these "low-acid" foods.Does the recall mean that this batch ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912556 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:30:00 +0100 2912556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2381354&cid=t_168769_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FMoyIJQDrnVA%2F Botox is better known for its wrinkle-reducing properties, but many doctors have been using it for disorders like cerebral palsy or neck spasms called cervical dystonia. According to the FDA website: The products required to add the new label and a REMS are Botox and Botox Cosmetic (botulinum toxin type A), marketed by Allergan; Myobloc (botulinum toxin type B), marketed by Solstice Neurosciences; and a new FDA-approved product, Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA), marketed by Ipsen Biopharm Ltd. Botox is FDA-approved to treat severe underarm sweating (primary axillary hyperhidrosis ), crossed eyes (strabismus ), and abnormal tics and twitches of the eyelids (blepharospasm ). Botox, Myobloc, and Dysport are FDA-approved to treat repetitive contractions of the neck muscles (cervical dystonia ). Bo... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2381354 Fri, 01 May 2009 00:44:25 +0100 2381354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2234746&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Frisky-eating-uneviscerated-fish.html March 4, 2009Last week, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets issued three separate food safety alerts warning consumers to avoid eating certain uneviscerated fish. Two of those alerts have been echoed by FDA.The following fish products were the subject of these alerts.S&M (USA) Enterprise Corp. Uneviscerated White Herring (16 oz clear plastic bags): Product of China; Distributed in New York State; No UPC or lot codes; FDA Alert Issued San Link Inc. Uneviscerated Vacuum Packaged Dried Chechon (Random weight plastic bags, 0.66 lb average): Product of Russia; Distributed in New York State; Date code 21.12.2008; FDA Alert IssuedGusto Food Inc. Steamed Mackerel (1/2 lb plastic bags): Product of Thailand; Distributed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, M... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2234746 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:25:00 +0100 2234746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2132706&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fbotulism-risk-prompts-dessert-sauce.html January 25, 2009Stonewall Kitchen (York, ME) has recalled seven of its dessert sauces after discovering that the pH (acidity) and water activity levels did not meet the company's food safety standards. Products with a pH of 4.6 or higher, or with elevated water activity, may promote the growth of Clostridium botulinum and the production of a potent neurotoxin by the microbe.The company has recalled all product codes and expiration dates of the following items:Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce (SKU 161312) – round glass jar, 12 oz.Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Peanut Butter (SKU 161211) – round glass jar, 12 oz.Stonewall Kitchen Coffee Caramel Sauce (SKU 161204) – round glass jar, 13 oz.Stonewall Kitchen Dulce de Leche Sauce (SKU 161214) – round glass jar, 12.5 oz.Barefoot Co... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2132706 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:49:00 +0100 2132706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2116750&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Funeviscerated-mackerel-recalled-in-new.html January 19, 2009K-Fat Inc. (Brooklyn, NY) has announced a recall of Golden Dragon Fish brand Frozen Cooked Mackerel Fish because the fish had not been eviscerated prior to processing.Processing uneviscerated fish exposes consumers to a risk of Clostridium botulinum.The problem was discovered during a routine inspection carried out by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.The fish is a product of Vietnam and is packaged in uncoded 250g plastic bag and basket. It was distributed in New York and New Jersey, only. (Source: eFoodAlert.com) eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2116750 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:10:00 +0100 2116750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2087692&cid=t_168769_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F01%2Fbotulinum-neurotoxin.html Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent natural toxins known. The family of BoNTs comprises seven antigenically distinct serotypes (A to G) that are produced by various toxigenic strains of spore-forming anaerobic Clostridium botulinum. They act as metalloproteinases that enter peripheral cholinergic nerve terminals and cleave proteins that are crucial components of the neuroexocytosis apparatus, causing a persistent but reversible inhibition of neurotransmitter release resulting in flaccid muscle paralysis.Apart from being the sole causative agent of the deadly food poisoning disease, botulism, BoNTs pose a major biological warfare threat due to their extreme toxicity and easy production. Interestingly they also serve as powerful tools to treat an ever expanding list of medical ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2087692 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:03:00 +0100 2087692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2054035&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fhipp-baby-food-botulism-recall-update.html We reported a week ago that the Scandinavian distributor of Hipp Organic Baby Food had recalled Lot #L35655 (use by date of 1.12.08) of Hipp Fruit Purée with Bananas and Peaches* due to the possibility that the product contained Clostridium botulinum.The recall, which was announced on December 8th, covered product that had been distributed in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Today, Danish doctors, microbiologists and epidemiologists issued a preliminary report on the botulism investigation.The incident began when a Danish woman noticed that her 4.5-month old was ailing. Five days earlier, the mother had fed her little girl – who was still being breast-fed but was also receiving some supplementary food – three spoonfuls of Hipp banana/peach purée. She noticed at the time that the jar of ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2054035 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:10:00 +0100 2054035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2041258&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fmore-uneviscerated-fish-recalled.html December 15, 2008The New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets has alerted consumers to a nationwide recall of Freshness Choice brand Steam Mackerel due to the risk that the fish may be contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum.The recall was initiated after State inspectors discovered that the fish was not eviscerated before processing. Sale of uneviscerated, processed fish is not permitted in New York State, due to the possibility that spores of Clostridium botulinum may be present in the viscera.The recalled Steam Mackerel, which is packed in 8-ounce plastic bags that are not labeled with any code or date, was imported from Vietnam and distributed nationwide in the United States.The following importers have issued recall notices:Siam Trading Inc. (Brooklyn, NY)Gulf ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2041258 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:39:00 +0100 2041258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2036155&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fflavored-olive-oil-recalled-in-qubec.html December 13, 2008The Québec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) is warning consumers that Plaisirs Divins brand Basil-Flavoured Olive Oil presents a risk of Clostridium botulinum and has been recalled.All batch codes of Huile d'olive aromatisée au basilic de marque "Plaisirs Divins" – sold in 250mL glass jars – have been recalled. The recall was initiated after it was learned that the product was displayed for sale without refrigeration.The product was sold at Plaisirs Divins, 218 chemin du Lac La Motte, La Motte, QC as well as at other retail outlets.Clostridium botulinum, when allowed to grow in a food product, produces a dangerous neurotoxin. Even very small quantities of this toxin can cause serious – sometimes fatal – symptoms. Under no circumstances should ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2036155 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:02:00 +0100 2036155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2034299&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fimported-cured-fish-recalled-in-usa.html December 12, 2008FDA has warned retailers and food service operators that they should not offer for sale ungutted, salt-cured alewives, or gaspereaux fish, that were imported from New Brunswick, Canada. The ungutted fish may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, and should not be consumed.The fish were produced by Michel & Charles LeBlanc Fisheries, Ltd., Cap-Pelé, New Brunswick, imported into the United States, and shipped to the following four Florida distributors:Quirch Foods Inc.Den-Mar Exports LLCDolphin Fisheries Inc.Labrador & Son Food Products Inc.The fish were packed in 30-pound, white plastic pails with green plastic lids. The pails are labeled with the producers name, and the phrase "Product of Canada." Some of the fish may have been removed from the pails and rep... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2034299 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:15:00 +0100 2034299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2034302&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fclostridium-botulinum-in-hipps-baby.html December 11, 2008Norway's Food Safety Authority is warning consumers that some jars of Hipp baby food fruit purée may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.The warning was issued following an illness outbreak in Denmark. The Danish Food Safety Authority is in the process of testing samples of the suspect food.NFSA is recommending that consumers discard jars of Hipp fruit purée with bananas and apricots identified by L35655, with a use-by date of 31.12.08. The importer has agreed to withdraw the product from the Norwegian retail market.Hipp is a brand of organic baby foods manufactured in Germany and sold in many countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. International sales and marketing is carried out through the company's UK office.In a reaction to the Norwegian announcement, ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2034302 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:37:00 +0100 2034302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1955951&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fuk-infused-oil-recall-botulism-risk.html The UK Food Standards Agency has alerted consumers to a recall of several infused olive oil products. The infused oils, manufactured by Seymours of Norfolk Ltd., are thought to be susceptible to the growth of Clostridium botulinum.The recall includes all "best before" date codes up to and including March 2009. Both 250mL bottles and "oil from cask" are part of this recall. The following infused oil flavors are affected:Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Garlic, Lime, Lemon, ChiliThe company offered the following explanation:A technical fault in the production of these products has led to a situation where some of the above products may contain a small amount of water which could lead to the growth of potentially dangerous bacteria.Clostridium botulinum is capable of producing a deadly neurotoxin. S... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1955951 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:21:00 +0100 1955951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1868969&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fqubec-recalls-spaghetti-sauce.html Aux Purs Délices (287, rue de lÉglise, Verdun, QC) has agreed to recall two varieties of Sauce à la Viande Douce brand spaghetti meat sauce, which were displayed for sale at room temperature in sealed jars. The recall follows a determination by the Québec Ministry of Agriculture and the City of Montréal Food Inspection Division that the sauce was not processed or displayed in a manner to ensure product safety.The recalled items, which were sold only at Aux Purs Délices in Verdun, were packed in 500mL and 1,000mL Mason-type jars. All lot numbers of the following two products are included in the recall:Sauce spaghetti aux champignonsSauce aux légumesWhile no illnesses have been reported, the uncontrolled conditions under which these sauces were prepared and displayed would have allowe... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1868969 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:35:00 +0100 1868969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1863452&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Funeviscerated-croaker-recalled.html YS Trading Corp (Long Island City, NY) has recalled "Frozen Salted Croaker" because it is uneviscerated and, therefore, presents a risk of botulism.The fish was sold in uncoded, unlabeled plastic bags in New Jersey, Hicksville (NY) and Flushing (NY). Uneviscerated fish is prohibited from sale in the New York state, because spores of Clostridium botulinum may be concentrated in the viscera.Consumers who purchased the recalled item should return it to the store for a refund. (Source: eFoodAlert.com) eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1863452 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:36:00 +0100 1863452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1710379&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Ffrance-recalls-whole-enchilada-botulism.html France's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has announced a recall of Companeros brand enchiladas and fajitas after high levels of Clostridium botulinum toxin were detected in a sample of "chicken enchiladas".The investigation of Companeros' products was initiated after two members of the same family were diagnosed with botulism. The family members had eaten a meal of chicken enchiladas identified by lot no. 08/190 and a "use by" date of August 7, 2008. Both victims remain in hospital in serious but stable condition.Due to the serious risk to health and life posed by Clostridium botulinum intoxication, the government has taken the precaution of recalling all outstanding lots of all varieties of Companeros enchiladas and fajitas. The recall is NOT limited to the specific lot eaten by the... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1710379 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:55:00 +0100 1710379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1705406&cid=t_168769_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F08%2Fclostridial-toxins.html The genus Clostridium represents a heterogeneous group of toxin-producing species, such as C. difficile, C. botulinum, C. tetani and C. perfringens. C. tetani and C. botulinum produce the most potent biological toxins known to affect humans. Further reading: Clostridia: Molecular Biology in the Post-genomic EraBotulinum and Tetanus NeurotoxinsBotulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) and tetanus toxin (TeNT) are potent toxins which are responsible for severe diseases, botulism and tetanus, in men and animals. BoNTs induce a flaccid paralysis, whereas TeNT causes a spastic paralysis. Both toxins are zinc-dependent metalloproteases, which specifically cleave one of the three proteins (VAMP, SNAP25, and syntaxin) forming the SNARE complex within target neuronal cells which have a critical function in the ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1705406 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:35:00 +0100 1705406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1696848&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fefoodalert-world-tour-prague-hong-kong.html This phase of our world tour is a bit unusual, in that it includes a North American stop.We start the tour in Alaska, where botulism is endemic in the native community. Alaska saw 10 cases of botulism in 2007, all but one in the southwest part of the state. All 10 cases were traced to traditionally prepared native foods: fermented beluga, fermented beaver tail, fermented seal flipper, seal blubber, whale blubber and fermented fish heads. One of the victims died.From Alaska, we cross the Pacific Ocean to Hong Kong, which is still having problems with its restaurants. The Centre for Food Protection is investigating three separate incidents of food poisoning, encompassing 16 people. The victims, 11 of whom either consulted private doctors or visited a hospital, all ate at a restaurant in the ... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1696848 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:23:00 +0100 1696848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1527815&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fchai-concentrate-recalled-botulism-risk.html Tipu's Tiger Chai, Inc. has announced a voluntary recall of its Chai Concentrate, distributed to stores and coffee kiosks in western Montana, and to one café in Prescott, Arizona. The concentrate is used in stores to prepare chai beverages sold on-site. A limited quantity of product was also supplied directly to consumers in western Montana.The recall covers half-gallon bottles of the concentrate, carrying dates from 09/23/09 through and including 05/22/10. While no illnesses have been reported, an audit of production records found that the pH of the chai concentrate was higher than required by FDA, and represented a risk that Clostridium botulinum might survive and grow in the product.Consumers are urged to return the recalled concentrate to the place of purchase for a full refund. (Sour... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1527815 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:34:00 +0100 1527815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1455619&cid=t_168769_167_f&fid=36991&url=http%3A%2F%2Fefoodalert.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Ffood-poisoning-around-world-may-12th.html With all of the attention focused on Myanmar during the past nine days, the rest of the world has been left to its own devices. But that doesn't mean that there was nothing to report. Here's what we've been missing.South AfricaThe breakdown in the drinking water distribution system that resulted in the deaths of 78 babies over several months in the Eastern Cape province is no closer to being repaired. The province's health and water system officials are still waiting for information to be sent to them "from the ground level" before confirming that the babies died from diarrhea as a result of drinking contaminated water. Meanwhile, nothing has been done to repair the broken water system.Viet NamEighty people were treated for food poisoning on April 30th after attending a wedding party in Ha... eFoodAlert.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1455619 Mon, 12 May 2008 12:17:00 +0100 1455619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1240237&cid=t_168769_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gideononline.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F02%2F18%2Fbotulism-and-tomatoes%2F Although botulism is commonly associated with canned foods and vegetables, tomatoes are rarely implicated. A single botulism outbreak among 116 listed in the GIDEON database is ascribed to tomatoes. In fact, only three papers could be identified through a a PubMed search using the terms “tomatoes” and “botulism.” [1-3] Interestingly, two of these papers originated in Russia, the country which reported the most recent outbreak in ProMED. One explanation for the relative rarity of botulism in tomatoes is related to the acidity of this vegetable. A lowered pH is thought to act through two mechanisms: enhanced susceptibility of C. botulinum spores to heat sterilization, and inhibition of germination of surviving spores. [4] 1. PopugailaVM, et al. Cases of botulism caus... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1240237 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:10:35 +0100 1240237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1217988&cid=t_168769_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F231812313%2Ffda_warns_of_children_dying_from_botox_injections.html The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that the anti-wrinkle drug Botox and a competitor Myobloc have been linked to several deaths and other severe side effects consistent with botulism.Both drugs use botulism toxin to block nerve muscles causing them to relax however, in rare cases, the toxin may have spread to other parts of the body from the injection site. Resulting problems include paralysis of the respiratory muscles and difficulty breathing.All reported child deaths were among children and most of whom were being treated for limb spasms associated with cerebral palsy. Other countries have approved the drugs' for this use but the FDA has not.A spokesperson for Allergan Inc, maker of Botox, stated that children with cerebral palsy receive much larger doses into their leg mu... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1217988 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:00:01 +0100 1217988