In September, one person died and eight were hospitalized in France due to botulism, a rare disease caused by a bacteria that paralyzes the nervous system. The disease is not contagious, but is caused by eating contaminated food. All the victims ate canned sardines in the same restaurant.Botulism has also affected other people around the world, including in Brazil. Although this is not a disease outbreak or a global pandemic, news like this worries everyone because it concerns something as common in everyday life as food.
What is botulism? The bacteria that cause botulism are found in soil, untreated water, and plants. However, it can be dangerous to store because it grows in areas with low oxygen levels. In these situations, microorganisms release spores, which are toxic if ingested.
Due to this tendency for bacteria to proliferate, care should be taken when consuming preserved foods. Examples of where this microorganism is most commonly found include packaging of hearts of palm, sausages and pickles.
On the consumer side, it is important to choose high quality products to avoid risks. Preserves must contain, among other items, identification of the country of origin, list of ingredients, nutritional information, expiration date, instructions for use and batch number. Buying from recognized brands is also a strategy to ensure greater security. This is because the most popular companies are those that have been on the market for a long time and follow current regulations.
Another important point is to observe the appearance of the packaging. If it contains bulging cans, cloudy glass or different colored food, it may be contaminated.
Also, be careful when eating foods preserved in unfamiliar locations. This is because insufficient storage of the product can lead to the appearance of toxins.
People who want to prepare their own pickled foods, meats and vegetables should boil them for 15 minutes before eating. The toxin grows at around 3 degrees Celsius, so cooking food well is essential to avoid risks.
If a person ingests something and experiences a headache, nausea, dizziness, fainting, or other strange symptoms, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Although this disease is dangerous, it can be cured and leaves no side effects if treated correctly.
According to the Ministry of Health, the incubation period, or time between ingestion and the appearance of symptoms, is between 2 and 10 days, but on average it takes 12 to 36 hours to notice symptoms. The greater the consumption, the shorter the incubation period.
How Companies Can Prevent Botulism Likewise, companies must also be careful to prevent the spread of botulism in their products. It is essential to carry out chemical analyzes during the process, including, for example, titrations, which allow calculating the amount of substances in solution.
This type of verification is now carried out more automatically using specific devices, making the procedure safer and more effective. Titration can also be used to check whether a food contains more salt or sugar than expected. This allows manufacturers to take necessary steps before releasing their products.
The people who work behind the scenes preparing food for consumers need to be just as concerned as the rest of us. In other words, only buy from brands you know, avoid foods that look strange or come in full cans, and boil non-perishable foods before you start cooking.
Botulism is a serious disease that cannot be completely prevented because there is no vaccine, so everyone should be careful. Consumers and food manufacturers need to be careful not to become victims of bacteria. However, if contamination occurs, patients should seek medical attention as soon as possible to reduce the risk.