New in MMWR: Botulism from Home Food Preservation, and more

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Foodborne Botulism Outbreak

July 3, 2025

WEEKLY REPORT

Foodborne Botulism Outbreak After Consumption of Home-Canned Cactus (Nopales)

Among 31 people who attended two family gatherings where home-made food was served, 8 developed botulism and required hospitalization and antitoxin treatment. Botulism, a rapidly progressive paralytic illness caused by toxin of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, can be fatal if not treated promptly. Laboratory testing revealed that home-preserved nopales (prickly pear cactus pads) used in preparing a salad were the source of the outbreak. This was the third largest foodborne botulism outbreak in California, and all patients survived.

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