Botulism
• Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a bacterium
which occurs in soil. It produces a toxin that affects your
nerves. Foodborne botulism comes from eating foods
contaminated with the toxin.
• Source: Honey, home-canned vegetables and fruits, corn
syrup, Home-canned foods with a low acid content, improperly
canned commercial foods, home-canned or fermented fish,
herb-infused oils, baked potatoes in aluminum foil, cheese
sauce, bottled garlic, foods held warm for extended periods of
time
• Symptom: Infants: Lethargy, weakness, poor feeding,
constipation, poor head control, poor gag and sucking reflex
• Children and adults: Double vision, blurred vision, drooping
eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and
muscle weakness