Tue Sep 10 16:51:48 UTC 2024: ## Five Hospitalized in France with Suspected Botulism After Consuming Contaminated Pesto Sauce
**Tours, France** – Five people are currently receiving emergency care in Tours, France, with suspected botulism after consuming a wild garlic pesto sauce. The incident has prompted authorities to launch a public health alert and recall of the potentially contaminated product.
The patients, two couples and a fifth individual, all attended a birthday meal where they ingested the sauce. They began experiencing symptoms, including breathing difficulties and muscle paralysis, and were admitted to hospital on Saturday and Sunday. While currently on respirators, they are conscious.
Prefect Patrice Latron, the head of the Indre-et-Loire department where Tours is located, identified the suspected source of the infection as a locally-produced pesto sauce called “O P’tits Oignons”. The sauce is typically sold at local events and fairs between March and September.
Authorities are urgently trying to locate and remove approximately 600 containers of the sauce from circulation to prevent further cases. Anyone who has purchased this specific pesto sauce is advised to discard it immediately.
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that affects the nervous system. It can lead to paralysis and even death in some cases. The toxin is often found in improperly processed food, like home-preserved items.
This incident echoes a similar case from last year where 16 people in Bordeaux contracted botulism after consuming home-preserved sardines. One individual sadly died as a result.
Authorities are urging the public to be vigilant about food safety practices and to seek medical attention immediately if they experience any symptoms of botulism.
First Piper 