Woman Contracts Botulism Poisoning from Improperly Canned Carrots

A North Carolinian woman contracted botulism poisoning after almost eating an improperly processed carrot.   Instead of pressure canning the jars of carrots, she used the hot water bath canning technique (which is only appropriate for high acid foods).  After putting the carrot in her mouth, she realized it was 'off' and spit it out.  However, she ingested enough toxin to get the illness with just putting that carrot in her mouth.

Unfortunately, too many people still process jars of low acid foods (carrots, peas, beans) in boiling water rather than using the pressure canner.  No doubt this woman would have fought against using the pressure canner..its too dangerous, the carrots are not firm, etc.  After 11 weeks in the hospital, maybe she can be a warning to others.

North Carolina Health News
http://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2015/05/12/botulism-case-highlights-need-to-follow-canning-directions/
Botulism Case Highlights Need to Follow Canning Directions
May 12, 2015

 An Ashe County woman learned the hard way her food-preservation techniques were wrong.
By Rose Hoban

It only took one bite.

Five days later, an Ashe County woman lay in the hospital, on a ventilator, unable to breathe.

The woman, who’s name has not been released, told health officials she didn’t even swallow the carrot. She opened the home-canned jar of carrots, tasted one, decided it looked and tasted off, and spit it out.

But that was enough to give her botulism, sending her to the hospital for an 11-week stay.

Wegmans spinanch salad mix and Bolthouse sliced carrots recalled

There are two produce related recalls.

 - Wegman’s is recalling it Organic Spinach and Spring Mix Blend after it was linked to now 19 cases of E. coli O157:H7 cases in New York. The product was co-packed for Wegman’s by Massachusetts based Spring Garden. The product was sold between Oct 14th and Nov 1st.

 - Bolthouse Foods of Bakersfield CA is recalling carrot chips. A sample of the carrot chips were tested by NC Health and found to be positive for Salmonella. There have been no reported illnesses. Product was co-packed for store brands including Safeway Farms and Supervalu’s Farm Stand.


Three more E. coli cases added to outbreak
Wegmans recalled spinach and spring mixes due to outbreak

Democrat and Chronicle.com 10:05 PM, Nov 5, 2012http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20121105/NEWS01/311050058

Three additional cases of E. coli have been linked to organic spinach and spring mix blends sold by Wegmans Food Markets.