An outbreak of foodborne botulism associated with contaminated hazelnut yoghurt

Abstract

SUMMARYThe largest recorded outbreak of foodborne botulism in the United Kingdom occurred in June 1989. A total of 27 patients was affected; one patient died. Twenty-five of the patients had eaten one brand of hazelnut yoghurt in the week before the onset of symptoms. This yoghurt contained hazelnut conserve sweetened with aspartame rather than sugar. Clostridium botulinum type B toxin was detected in a blown can of hazelnut conserve, opened and unopened cartons of hazelnut yoghurt, and one faecal specimen. Cl. botulinum type B was subsequently cultured from both opened and unopened cartons of the hazelnut yoghurt and from one faecal specimen. Investigations indicated that the processing of the conserve was inadequate to destroy Cl. botulinum spores. Control measures included the cessation of all yoghurt production by the implicated producer, the withdrawal of the firm's yoghurts from sale, the recall of cans of the hazelnut conserve, and advice to the general public to avoid the consumption of all hazelnut yoghurts.

Microbiological shelf life at different temperatures and fate of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli inoculated in unflavored and strawberry yogurts

“…Although not numerous, outbreaks related to the consumption of contaminated yogurt with potential pathogenic bacteria (enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Clostridium botulinum) are reported in the literature (O'Mahony et al, 1990;Morgan et al, 1993;Evans et al, 1999). Moreover, Listeria monocytogenes, a ubiquitous pathogen able to adapt to stressful environments, is recognized as a postprocessing contaminant of major concern in dairy products such as yogurt.…”

Clostridium botulinumandClostridium tetani

“…The primary regions of the world with reports of human foodborne botulism are East Asia (China, Japan), North America, certain countries in Europe (Poland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, and Norway), the Middle East (Iran), Latin America, Russia, and South Africa (Franciosa et al 2003;Hauschild 1992). Human botulism is rare in the UK, although notable outbreaks, including the Loch Maree tragedy (Leighton 1923), the Birmingham incident (Ball et al 1979), and the hazelnut yoghurt outbreak (Critchley et al 1989;O'Mahony et al 1990), have attracted much attention. Human botulism is also rare in Africa, Australia, Israel, Taiwan, Greece, New Zealand, India, Mexico, and several South American countries (Hauschild 1992).…”

Clostridium botulinum(Botulism)

“…22 The source of the inoculum is unknown in approximately 85% of cases of infant botulism with the ingestion of honey confi rmed in only 15% of cases. 12,25 Since 1950, sporadic outbreaks of botulism have been traced to fried onions, 26 venison jerky, 27 poultry stuffi ng, baked potatoes, 28 potato salad, 29 hash browns, 30 hazelnut yogurt, 31 home -prepared fermented tofu, 32 and garlic -in -oil infusions. Improperly prepared home -canned baby food is a potential source of botulism in older infants.…”