California Man Dies After Eating Nacho Cheese Sauce Infected by Botulism

Sad news from California: one man has died and nine others have been hospitalized after eating nacho cheese sauce tainted with botulism.

Related: Food Safety 101

The outbreak started last month in Walnut Grove, California (just outside of Sacramento) and it has been traced back to a nacho cheese sauce bought at the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station. The cheese sauce was bought on May 5 and it has since tested positive for the botulinum toxin. The California Department of Public Health said that they “believe there is continuing risk to the public.”

Botulism is actually rare these days, with only about 20 cases in adults linked to food poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the culprit is usually home-canned food.

According to NPR, botulism shows up in retail products that usually contain chopped garlic in oil, carrot juice, and chili pepper sauce. If you’re canning foods at home, make sure to read over the CDC’s list of recommendations for food safety. And for retail products, make sure to store them in the fridge and throw them out after their expiration dates.

As we head into the summer season with potlucks and impromptu food-related gatherings, when we’re all outside and temperatures are soaring, make sure to stay safe and healthy.