THE ESSENTIAL
- The Isère prefecture ordered, this Friday, November 1, the recall of batches of a few dozen artisanal cans of pork terrine.
- This decision was taken following a suspected case of botulism in a person who had consumed a can of terrine.
- It is a rare neurological condition, which can be fatal, which manifests itself by dry mouth, eye damage and digestive and neurological problems.
This Friday, November 1, the Isère prefecture ordered the recall of batches of a few dozen artisanal cans of pork terrine. Those concerned are sold at the farm “Chez Barbier” in Mottier, near Voiron.
Recall of batches after a suspected case of food-borne botulism
This decision was taken following a suspected case of botulism in a person who had consumed a can of terrine. This is a rare but potentially fatal neurological condition. According to the Pasteur Institutebotulism is fatal in 5 to 10% of cases. Botulism is caused by a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), which grows in anaerobic conditions, that is to say in the absence of oxygen. Thus, it multiplies and produces toxins which cause the disease. Today, there are seven known types of botulism, four of which affect humans.
Analyzes carried out by the Pasteur Institute in the remains of pork terrine confirmed “the presence of botulinum toxin and the bacteria producing the toxin”, according to the prefecture. The affected person was treated medically after symptoms appeared.
Botulism: avoid “deformed/bulged cans or those giving off a suspicious odor”
Depending on the type of botulism, the symptoms are not the same. Those linked to food botulism appear within a few days – most often 12 to 48 hours but it can take up to 8 days, depending on theNational Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Anses) – after ingestion of toxins. These signs are dry mouth accompanied by difficulty swallowing or even speech, eye damage, digestive and neurological problems.
Therefore, the Isère prefecture recommends that all consumers of these artisanal canned pork terrines consult a doctor if symptoms of botulism appear. Treatment must be immediate because botulism can progress quickly.
Among ANSES’s advice to avoid botulism, the health authority recommends “do not consume deformed/bulged cans or those that give off a suspicious odor when opened”. If the jars are glass, you should hear the noise caused by the entry of air when opening, otherwise throw it away. Finally, the cold chain must be respected for cooked but not sterilized products such as ready meals or pâté.
