Botulism alert points to packaged tortillas

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition, AESAN, has issued an alert and warning of the risk of botulism which indicates packaged tortillas as the likely common denominator in the cases which have arisen so far.

After notification to the Public Health Alert System of 4 confirmed cases of botulism and 2 probable cases with a common link of consumption in the previous days of packaged potato tortillas purchased in different supermarkets, the appropriate food safety investigations are being carried out, they say.

The cases have occurred in several autonomous communities and the public health services of the autonomous communities and cities have been informed through the Report on Alerts and Preparedness and Response Plans, to reinforce early detection in the event of the appearance of new cases with suspicion of botulism if they were to occur.

In at least three of the confirmed cases and in one of the probable ones, the company that makes the tortillas is the same. To date, it has not been possible to establish evidence, neither in the products nor in the processes, that relates cause and effect. However, investigations continue with the collaboration of the production company.

Investigations are being carried out in relation to the possibility that there is a product on the market that is not safe or if there are deviations in the production, distribution, storage or transport processes that justify the existence of this risk.

It is public knowledge that AHORRAMAS, applying the precautionary principle and given the lack of certainty, has decided to withdraw from sale the products to which the epidemiological surveys have pointed, pending the progress of the investigations. Those products are sold under the Alipende brand.

The Palacios brand tortilla varieties have also been withdrawn from supermarket shelves until further notice. The tortillas in question are pre-cooked products that are sold in 600-gram containers.

To be clear though, AESAN has not yet identified the actual brands or batches responsible, or in fact if that is the cause, as the investigation is ongoing, these actions have been voluntary and as a precaution.

In any case, AESAN want to remind consumers of the importance, greater at this time of year due to the heat, of preserving food products at the storage temperatures indicated on the label and following the instructions for use indicated by the manufacturers, since they guarantee the safety of products for which an expiration date is established.

The case of packaged potato tortillas is especially important, since there may be a false feeling that they are like preserves, that they have thermal stability, and keeping them without refrigeration at the current room temperature can lead to health problems after consumption.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death.

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