July 2008

Botulism is a rare, life-threatening paralytic illness caused by neurotoxins produced by an anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. Unlike Clostridium perfringens, which requires the ingestion of large numbers of viable cells to cause symptoms, the symptoms of botulism are caused by the ingestion of highly toxic, soluble exotoxins produced by C. botulinum while growing

We thought we’d pass along some advice we read in the Springfield News Leader about home canning.   This newspaper had readers who proudly call themselves “Ozarkers.”  But those folks are not the only ones these days who are trying to be more self-sufficient and thrifty, so listen up!

Canning fresh foods at home can be

Michigan’s New Era Canning Co., closed for the past 7 months, is going to resume production. It’s been granted a temporary permit that will allow it to begin sales, bring back employees and resume processing.

The Muskegon Chronicle reports:

Rick Ray, the company’s president and chief executive officer, is optimistic that his family owned business

BOTULISM FUN FACTS:

1. Botulism is the single most acutely toxic substance (natural or manmade) known to science, with a median lethal dose of about 1 ng/kg, meaning that a few hundred grams could theoretically kill every human on earth. (For perspective, the rat poison strychnine, which is also considered to be highly toxic, has