What to eat when traveling to avoid botulinum poisoning?

My family is traveling during the holidays, what should we avoid eating to limit botulinum poisoning? (Nguyen Phuong, Ho Chi Minh City)

Reply:

Clostridium botulinum bacteria grow in oxygen-deprived environments and produce botulinum toxin. Under harsh conditions, clostridium botulinum can transform into a tough, long-lived spore form.

Clostridium botulinum is widely distributed in nature and can be found in food, garden soil, animal feces, dirt, pond water, river water, and animal intestines. This type of bacteria thrives in spoiled food and canned meat that has been stored for a long time.

Foodborne botulism poisoning is common and occurs when a person eats food contaminated with clostridium botulinum spores. When food is not stored properly, the bacteria can grow, releasing toxins into the food.

When going out, if you eat food that is not well preserved, your family can get botulinum poisoning. Common sources of the disease are canned foods with low acidity such as beans, canned meat, canned fish, vegetarian pate... Honey contaminated with clostridium botulinum spores is also the cause of the disease in some cases. This is one of the reasons why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not giving honey to children under one year old.

Clostridium botulinum bacteria do not grow in acidic foods. However, if they are already contaminated with toxins, they are not safe.

Your family can also get botulism through a cut or scrape. This is a rare condition where clostridium botulinum spores get into an open wound, grow, and release toxins into the bloodstream. In some cases, the toxin develops after surgery or a serious injury.

To prevent botulism poisoning when traveling, families should choose food with clear origins and quality standards recognized by authorities. Be cautious with sealed foods that have an unusual smell, color, or taste. Avoid food containers that show signs of damage or swelling, as this may be a sign of bacteria growth.

Prioritize freshly prepared, cooked foods, and discard foods that have a foul odor. High temperatures destroy botulinum toxins if present in food. Skin wounds should be properly treated to avoid botulinum infection through these injuries.

Botulinum poisoning is a serious illness, symptoms may include drooping eyelids, abnormal signs involving the muscles of the face, eyes, and throat. The bacteria produce toxins that attack the nervous system and cause muscle weakness and paralysis. If left untreated, botulinum poisoning can lead to death.

Doctor Tran Thi Tra Phuong
Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System

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