Botulism: When the Expiry Date Is Not Enough

Photo by Jacob McGowin on Unsplash

A quick question: You are about to open a canned food item and notice a slight bulge in the packaging. The food still smells and looks okay, and the expiry date is still two years away.

Would you still consume it?

The answer is NO, because this is a matter of life and death.

Many people have never heard of botulism. It is a potentially fatal illness caused by Clostridium botulinum. In oxygen-free, low-acid, low-salt, and low-sugar environments, this bacterium produces a powerful toxin that can cause paralysis, acute respiratory failure, and death within a short period.

Bulging cans or food sachets can be a warning sign of Clostridium botulinum growth. The bulge indicates the production of gas due to bacterial activity inside the sealed package. The toxin attacks the nervous system, causing the muscles to lose control. Within 24 to 36 hours of consuming the toxin, a person may experience blurred vision, slurred speech, drooping facial muscles, difficulty breathing, and, if left untreated, respiratory failure and death.

Clostridium botulinum can thrive in improperly processed canned foods and sachet tomato products, as well as homemade preserves, fermented foods, previously used oils stored for reuse, low-acid foods, and honey (which is particularly associated with infant botulism).

To stay safe, never consume food from swollen, gassy, leaking, or damaged cans, jars, or sachets. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of food poisoning develop and botulism is suspected.