Your Food's Safety Autumn crispness in the air, leaves that turn bright shades of crimson, gold and rust are the welcome signs of the changing season. Fall also brings to some the tradition of harvesting and preserving fruits and vegetables to be enjoyed throughout the winter months to come. This is the bacteria that causes Botulism.
Botulism is one of the most serious illnesses that can result from a contaminated food source.
Clostridium botulinum can be present not only in home-preserved foods, but also in commercially canned products that were inadequately stored, as well as in prepared meats, poultry, fish and dairy products. Symptoms Symptoms of botulism differ from those of the more common food poisoning due to Staphylococcus aureus. The nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that occur with Staphylococcus food poisoning usually do not last long, are mild, and do not require treatment. If left untreated, the disease may progress to difficulty in breathing and other life-threatening events. Do not taste any fresh or prepared foods that look or smell spoiled since even a mere taste can introduce bacteria into the body and cause serious illness to develop.