The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has recalled lemonade and gel products sold by Royalty Sea Moss.

After a complaint from the Maryland Department of Health, an investigation found that Royalty Sea Moss, based out of Mt. Pleasant, MI, produced products with inadequate processing controls that are needed to stop the growth of foodborne pathogens, according to the department. 

Royalty Sea Moss also does not have a license to manufacture, hold or sell products, which is a violation against the Michigan Food Law of 2000, officials said.

The following are products noted by the department for having inadequate labeling, including ingredient statements, lot codes and sell-by dates:

Regular Sea Moss Gel

Fruit Flavored Sea Moss Gel:

  • Mixed Berry with Blueberry Strawberry Raspberry
  • Pineapple Cherry Strawberry
  • Peach Strawberry Flavor
  • Strawberry Dragon fruit
  • Mango Pineapple
  • Strawberry Banana

Sea Moss Lemonade:

  • Blue Raspberry
  • Mango
  • Lemonade
  • Watermelon
  • Strawberry Peach
  • Green Apple
  • Pink Strawberry
  • Strawberry Lemonade
  • Grape
  • Pineapple
  • Strawberry Kiwi
  • Cherry
  • Fruit Punch

Improperly processed food and drink has the chance to be contaminated with clostridium botulinum, an odorless bacteria which can cause life-threatening illness or even death, according to the department.

No illnesses have been reported, but consumers are warned not to use the product, even if it doesn’t look or smell spoiled, according to the department.

Marietta, GA, September 29, 2022 – The Chai Box announced a recall of 16 oz glass bottles Chai Concentrate Mix, UPC 7 93611 81925 2 and 64 oz plastic bottles of Chai Concentrate Mix UPC 7 93611 81926 9 and 16 oz glass bottles Unsweetened Chai Concentrate Mix, UPC 793611819252 and 64 oz plastic bottles of Unsweetened Chai Concentrate Mix UPC 793611819269 due to potential under-processing which may lead to Clostridium botulinum contamination. These deviations were part of the commercial sterilization process and could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed. No other production codes or products are affected by this recall.

It is important to note that there have been no reports of illness associated with this product to date.

The products subject to recall are 16 oz glass bottles and 64 oz plastic bottles with Best By dates between 09/22/2022 and 03/16/2023. Please see that attached photos for ease of identification of the products.

We were notified of the problem during a process review by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The products were shipped nationwide to consumers, retailers and wholesalers. Some product was also shipped to two consumers in Canada. Product is available online and via retail and wholesale facilities.

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King’s Hawaiian is voluntarily recalling its Pretzel Slider Buns, Pretzel Hamburger Buns and Pretzel Bites products out of an abundance of caution following a recall of an ingredient used in the pretzel products from one of its suppliers, Lyons Magnus. Lyons Magnus is recalling this ingredient due to the potential for it to cause microbial contamination including from the organisms Cronobacter sakazakii and Clostridium botulinum. While no illnesses associated with King’s Hawaiian pretzel bread have been reported, and no pathogens have been found in any King’s Hawaiian products to date, the recall is being conducted to ensure consumer safety.

This recall does not impact any other King’s Hawaiian products, as no other products use this ingredient from Lyons Magnus. King’s Hawaiian will resume producing all pretzel products once the company has ensured all current product has been disposed of and has confirmed the safety of all ingredients.

Consumers in possession of any King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns, King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Hamburger Buns or King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites should dispose of the product. Consumers can contact King’s Hawaiian at 877-695-4227, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT, if they have any questions, or to request replacement product.

King’s Hawaiian advises that consumers in possession of any King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns, King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Hamburger Buns or King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites should dispose of the product.

This past weekend, a Grays Harbor County man aged 55-65 passed away from a probable cause of botulism. No further information on the deceased is available. Confirmation of the cause of death is pending confirmatory test results.

Grays Harbor County Environmental Health assisted the property owner with the safe disposal of around 170 pint-sized jars of home-canned food and canning jars per CDC guidelines.

Botulism is odorless and cannot be seen or tasted; however, even a small taste of food containing the toxin can be deadly, according to the CDC.

The CDC stresses that home canning, while a fun and productive way to preserve everything from seafood to vegetables, can put people at risk of botulism if not done correctly.

Using proper canning techniques, the right kind of equipment, and disposing of any canned foods that may not have been properly preserved is the best way to keep your home canned goods safe.

Two excellent resources for safe canning practices include the CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/home-canning-and-botulism.html – and Washington State University Extension Grays Harbor – https://extension.wsu.edu/graysharbor/family/food/.

If you’re new to canning or need a refresher, the USDA has a great resource, the Complete Guide to Home Canning, available for free download at https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/usda/GUIDE01_HomeCan_rev0715.pdf.

Soul Cedar Farm of Quilcene, WA is voluntarily recalling all batches of shelf-stable Zesty Sweet Peppers because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin, which can cause life- threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should immediately contact a health care provider. At this time, there are no known illnesses associated with the recalled product.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) revealed that one batch of Zesty Sweet Peppers had a pH level high enough to support formation of the Clostridium botulinum toxin. Soul Cedar Farm and WSDA continue to work jointly to address the source of the problem.

The recalled product was packaged in 8-ounce glass containers and was sold at retail stores in Quilcene and Port Townsend, WA.

Two women have been hospitalized for botulism, including one in serious condition, according to a La Voz report.The patients ate matambre (Argentian flank steak) and Russian salad delivered from a  traditional restaurant in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Boedo.

“The salad is prepared with boiled potatoes and carrots and dried peas soaked in a can, with salt and mayonnaise added. Orders are shipped in disposable plastic containers with lids, and they include four slices of homemade matambre along with a portion of Russian salad”, according to the restaurant.

Thirty-six hours after consuming the food, both women began to present symtptoms of difficulty swallowing and speaking, muscle weakness of upper and lower limbs and double vision.

One of those affected was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Municipal Sanatorium ‘Dr. Julio Mendez’; the other ended up in the ICU of the Naval Hospital ‘Dr. Pedro Mallo’.

Both patients received botulinum antitoxin.

The CABA’s Operative Supervision Division carried out the actions to verify the hygienic-sanitary conditions of the restaurant, as well as to take samples of the suspicious foods and their ingredients.

The report of the Sanitary Bacteriology Service of the National Institute of Diseases Infectious/National Administration of Laboratories and Institutes of Health ‘Dr. Carlos Gregorio Malbrán’ (INEI-ANLIS) concluded that none of the samples detected the presence of botulinum toxin or Clostridium botulinum spores.

Thanks to outbreaknewstoday.

Since January 1, 2022, 6 cases of botulism with 10 victims have been registered in Armenia, according to the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the RA Ministry of Health.

Taking into account the severe course of the disease, in order to avoid further complications, the RA Ministry of Health urges:

Avoid home-made canned food

Heat home-made canned food by boiling it for 20-25 minutes before using it.

do not buy home-made canned food from the market or random individuals;

See a doctor immediately as soon as the first symptoms appear.

The main symptoms of botulism are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. shortness of breath, obstruction of the act of aspiration, unilateral paralysis. These symptoms appear 2-3 hours to 10 days after eating the affected food.

Botulism is a severe food poisoning caused by Clostridium botulinum. The pathogen is found in the external environment, in the soil by the eggs of spores, from where it spreads to vegetables and greens. Anodic conditions are required for the growth and development of this pathogen, where it reproduces and produces venom. Such conditions are created in hermetically sealed cans. Destruction of the pathogen is possible only in special devices, under the influence of high pressure (1.5-2 atmospheres) և heat (120-130 ° C) in autoclaves, which are available only in canning companies. These conditions cannot be met at home.

Food affected by botulism does not change its taste, smell, color or appearance.

Foodborne botulism has been linked to two deaths in an Argentinian province.

The Ministry of Public Health in Misiones reported the two fatalities and at least four other cases occurred this past week in the village of Andresito.

The four ill people, including three adults and one child, are being treated in the intensive care unit of a local hospital. According to media reports, a third person, a child, has since died and up to 10 people have been affected.

Agency officials said that products suspected to be linked to the food poisoning have been seized. Local media reported homemade sausages are believed to be the source of infection.

The Ukraine Ministry of Health reported 88 outbreaks of botulism in 2021, as a result of which 98 people became ill, including three children. Ten cases were fatal.

79 patients were given anti-botulinum serum. In 2021, cases of botulism were registered in all regions of Ukraine, except Zakarpattia, Luhansk and Mykolaiv regions. The highest number of cases was registered in Volyn oblast – 9, eight cases were recorded in Zhytomyr, Lviv and Chernihiv oblasts and seven cases were reported in Cherkasy oblast. The main causes of botulism food poisoning were the consumption of dried / salted / dried freshwater fish of home cooking or of unknown origin, which was purchased on the natural markets (30 cases – 30.6%), canned home-cooked meat (30 cases – 30.6%) .

Federal officials are investigating an outbreak of botulism poisoning, but few details are available.

Canned soup is a suspect food, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

No other details have been released by the FSIS. No brand or flavor of soup has been named, but the USDA regulates foods with meat and poultry ingredients.

The FSIS generally does not include information in its initial outbreak notices about the number of sick people or where they live.

The bacteria that causes botulism poisoning is Clostridium botulinum. It produces a neurotoxin and commonly grows in foods that are not held at high enough temperatures and in improperly processed food in cans and jars. Home-canned foods are particularly vulnerable to improper methods of processing. 

While a variety of illnesses can result from eating under-processed food, one of the most dangerous is botulism poisoning. Untreated, botulism can paralyze the muscles needed for breathing, resulting in sudden death.

Anyone who has eaten any canned soup and developed signs of botulism poisoning should immediately seek medical attention, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, symptoms can begin as soon as 6 hours after or up to 10 days later,” according to the CDC website.

The symptoms of botulism may include some or all of the following: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. People with botulism poisoning may not show all of these symptoms at once.

These symptoms result from muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If untreated, the disease may progress, and symptoms may worsen to cause paralysis of specific muscles, including those used in breathing and those in the arms, legs, and the body from the neck to the pelvis area.

This table has been abbreviated to show only active investigations.

Click on table to enlarge.

On January 19, 2021, Larry Wells purchased a two-container package of Kettle Cuisine brand clam chowder at the Sam’s Club located on New Circle Road in Lexington, Kentucky. As was his usual practice, he stored the two containers in his home pantry until he was ready to eat them. Larry would typically eat the entire contents of one container at a single meal. His wife, Estelle, detested clam chowder and never ate any.

In the days following the January 19 purchase of the chowder 2-pack, Larry consumed one container. Around 6 pm on January 30, 202, Larry heated the contents of the second container of chowder. As usual, Larry consumed the entire contents. He mentioned to Estelle that the chowder has a strange smell. Afterwards the empty container was discarded in the family trash bin.

The next day, Larry woke up feeling nauseated with a “weak and a droopy” left eyelid. He sought care at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center Emergency Department. His condition worsened rapidly, and he was admitted to inpatient care. On February 3, 2021, Dr. Hanine El Haddad, infectious disease specialist at the hospital, notified the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KY DPH) that Larry Wells was hospitalized with symptoms of botulism and that his serum would be sent to the agency’s Division of Laboratory Services (DLS) for testing. Carrell Rush, Reportable Disease Section Supervisor, Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning, at the KY DPH notified agency staff, Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about her conversation with Dr. El Haddad.

Serum collected from Larry on February 3, 2021, was confirmed positive for Clostridium botulinum toxin type A on February 4. This result was reported to the CDC Public Health Officer, Laura Ford, who authorized released of Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent. Antitoxin was administered the next day.

LFCHD epidemiologists, Mia Williams, and Hollie Sands, interviewed Estelle Wells about Larry’s symptoms and foods he consumed in the 2 days before symptom onset. Estelle told investigators about the clam chowder Larry had consumed on January 31 and noted that she had not eaten any. Estelle retrieved the original chowder container from the trash and gave it to LFCHD environmental health staff who delivered the container to the state DLS on February 4. Testing for Clostridium botulinum began the next day. DLS shared photos of the container and packaging with investigators. Photos showed the Lot Number (Lot #602563 3A2 01051) and Use By Date of (03/26/21).  On February 9, 2021, DLS reported that laboratory testing confirmed the presence of C. botulinum toxin type A in the leftover clam chowder collected from Larry Wells’ home.

Local health agencies visited area Sam’s Clubs in search of Kettle Cuisine clam chowder, Lot #602563 3A2 01051. None was found. On February 9, the FDA Seattle District office located clam chowder of the same lot at the manufacturer, Fresh Foods of Washington in Everett, Washington. Samples were shipped to the FDA laboratory in Jefferson, Arkansas for testing. However, inclement weather delayed shipment and these samples could not be tested. On February 22, 2021, three more unopened 24-ounce containers of Members Mark New England Clam Chowder, Lot Number 602563 3A2 01051, were obtained from Fresh Foods and delivered to the FDA laboratory in Arkansas. Samples of all three containers were individually analyzed. Clostridium botulinum was recovered in Sub 2.