Botulism: The Terrifying Illness in Your Pantry

Discover the deadly world of Botulism—how a microscopic bacterium produces the most lethal toxin known to science, its chilling effects on the body, and humanity’s ingenious, surprising uses for it today.

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[kreiner]

Remember when you're Canning, if your jars do not suck down completely. If they still have a Bubble Pop on top, you have to refrigerate them. They are not safe from botulism, always make sure you have a hard seal after they've been in their water baths. To check after they cool down, just push on the top and if it pops, you can't store them in your pantry, you have to keep them in the fridge and use them quickly or put them in a plastic container and freeze them for however long you can but you cannot keep them in the pantry.

[scaler]

I had the unfortunate displeasure of experiencing this food poisoning personally.

It nearly killed me. It doesn't paralyze you all at once, but over a short period of time.
It hit the tip of my nose first and spread through my face. I was fortunate to catch it early. It took about 3 1/2 weeks before they let me go home. It took a long time to recover. It also lingers in weird ways for years.

Frightening stuff.

[benderthegreat]

As a chef in school we dedicated a signifigant portion of our time learning about food born illness and botulism is nightmare fuel

[WhiskeyOracle]

Fantastic name for a punk band: "Sudden Sausage Panic."

[Kat-trig]

My son, who has cerebral palsy, received Botox injections in his legs to help reduce spasticity. We had to see a specialist 6 hours away to administer the injections, and even though I knew he was one of the most experienced doctors in my country when it came to Botox, I was nervous every time we had to go. But those injections made a world of difference. It's crazy to think something so terribly toxic and deadly can also be such a life-changing blessing.

[erinmarie]

It wasn't until my 3rd botox treatment for migraines that I realized I had had a headache every single day for 20 years. That first day without my head hurting was WEIRD. I felt like I must be dead, my head is gone. I can't feel it anymore. It's been 4 years now and I only get headaches when it rains or it's getting close to my next treatment.

[Just_Sara]

One of only two times I ever saw my father get emotional was one day when I was in my early 20s; we were in the car together when we heard on the news over the radio that botulinum toxin was being used to treat infants with a clubbed foot. From what we heard, you could inject them, put them in a brace for a while, and they'd come out of it with a good foot. My dad was born with a clubbed foot and was missing fingers on his right hand, probably amniotic string syndrome. He underwent at least a dozen surgeries as a kid born in the late 1940s to try to get his foot better. I miss that man.

[nikkiewhite]

One of my nieces had Botox for excessive salvation. Another niece did Botox and serial casting for her legs because of cerebral palsy. It made such a difference in their lives my sisters in law wished they had done that with my nephew for his cerebral palsy.
My in-laws foster and adopt medically fragile children. They have had 4 little miracles that they fight tooth and nail to get proper treatment for them. I am so proud of that part of the family.

[Queendaisy]

My top phobias. 3) Lockjaw (since I was 5). 2) carbon monoxide poisoning (thank you Simon) 1). Botulism. Thank you for two new phobias

[ltcapricel]

When opening old or damaged cans, open them slowly and look/listen carefully. A release of vacuum will make a "whoosh" sound as the can cracks, and you may be able to see the lid pop out ever so slightly as this happens.

Pressure, on the other hand, will make a "psshhh" sound as the can cracks, and you may see the lid sink in slightly as the pressure releases.

The former is what you want, as a well sealed can will be under a slight vacuum.

If *nothing* happens as the can cracks, the seal was likely compromised, and you should toss it.

If the latter (pressure) happens, DEFINITELY toss it, regardless of whether or not it's damaged or expired, as this is the only sign of botulism.

Note: the above applies to food cans only. Drink cans are very thin and are supposed to be under pressure to aid their structural integrity.

[oneminuteofmyday]

My junior high school Home EC teacher back in the early-1980’s drilled into us how deadly canning could be due to botulism. She was extremely graphic in this, to the point she scared me off canning to this day. Freezing only.

The neurologist I see recommended Botox injections for my intractable migraines. Despite the desperation of wanting relief, my brain almost fell out at the thought of Botulinum toxin being used. He asked what I was afraid of with it and I simply said “Mrs. Shultz.” I’ve been getting injections for eight years now and it has helped quite a bit with my migraines. I still have a tiny mental scream each time I go in, though, especially when they hand me the form saying I understand the risks involved.

[laurakastrup]

Aaand this is why when we, in the grocery store, find a can where there has been an issue, we’re supposed to throw out the entire tray. Not just one can. This is because usually the tray is manufactured together and therefore if there’s an issue with one there’s probably an issue with all of them. It’s a huge waste of food but legally I, as the store manager, can’t change anything. I don’t want to be sued, that is expensive and annoying.

[esiln]

I want to thank Simon for introducing a new fear to me...

[samgray]

When I was interning we had a trauma alert for a 4 month old pediatric patient. The baby had a hard time breathing after the mom made up her bottle. The formula was contaminated with botulism.

The baby when they arrived on the helicopter pad was floppy. Only time I've seen it was when we were saying goodbye to my grandparents dog who had just died.

He was a limp noodle.

The baby was just as limp and still alive.

Essentially with botulism you suffocate and become limp as a noodle and are dead weight. 😢

Baby was okay though. Our hospital can test for botulism and the CDC flew in an antidote and the baby was getting synthetic acetylcholine to protect her motor nerves.

[jayclark]

As someone who lived with a depression era grandma in the 80s I know swelled cans go in the garbage and potato salad goes in the fridge.

[bernieburton]

That's why if I ever open a can and a lot of air rushes out I just throw it away. I've had cans actually spray a little liquid when I puncture the lid and I immediately washed my hands and threw the can away. Always better to be safe than dead

[Nefville]

I love how potent this stuff is. The deadliest substance on earth and yet its everywhere and somehow people rarely die from it. Neat stuff!

[pooryorick]

Botulism paralyses the muscles but leaves the brain unaffected. So when you stop breathing you are fully conscious and can feel yourself suffocating. It is not a nice way to go at all. I experienced total paralysis while awake after a medical procedure. It only lasted a few seconds and I was assured I was in no danger, but they were the longest 15 seconds or so of my entire life.

[EricGranata]

Dang. Back to back Into the Shadows and Chubby Emu leaves me feeling things.

[bradlevantis]

Toxic is related to dose. I always find that fascinating that we can be exposed to things that sound deadly with no ill effects as long as the dose is small enough