of Groups I and II produce toxins that are associated with
human disease. Intoxication with botulinum neurotoxin causes
a severe neuroparalytic disease, known as botulism, that can
result in death [6]. In 1999e2000, more than 2500 cases of
foodborne botulism were reported in Europe [7]. Several
former Soviet Union countries, as well as Poland and Turkey,
have reported a high incidence [7,8]. The highest incidence
(0.9/100,000) was reported for the Republic of Georgia where
the preparation of homemade canned vegetables were attributed
to the majority of botulism cases [8]. Spores of C. botulinum
are ubiquitous in nature and thus frequently
contaminate raw food materials. Mild food processing treatments
might eliminate competing microorganisms, while
leaving C. botulinum spores intact. This offers a significant
competitive advantage for C. botulinum. Finally, several
Group II strains are able to grow and produce neurotoxin at