Suspected botulism case prompts French warning

French officials have warned of a suspected case of foodborne botulism linked to a product sold at local markets and online.

National health authorities were informed of a clinically suggestive case of botulism following the consumption of garlic confit sold by the company Le Tapenadier at the Sommières market in Gard. Confit is the process of cooking food in a liquid at a low temperature.

The garlic, which was purchased at the beginning of September, was vacuum-packed and left at room temperature for three days, which is favorable to the development of Clostridium botulinum and botulinum toxins.

Authorities in the Hérault region carried out an inspection and investigations into the operator. As the conditions for controlling health risks were not met, it was decided to suspend production activities.

A recall of garlic confit made by Le Tapenadier has been ordered. Other brands with the names Tapenade verte and Tapenade noire, Crème d’anchois, Délice d’ail, Délice d’ail tomates, Délice de tomates, Délice d’artichaut, Délice de poivrons, and Préparation de mon père are also affected.

Products were sold at the markets of Sommières, Lattes, Sète, Béziers, Vendres-Plage, and Port-la-Nouvelle as well as on the company’s website.

Authorities asked people in possession of any of these products not to consume or open them, and to throw them away.

Botulism risk
Earlier this year, Santé publique France published data on all types of botulism in the country from 2018 to 2024.

Foodborne botulism accounted for 56 outbreaks in the period studied. Homemade preparations were the primary source of botulism in 20 outbreaks.

Of 97 foodborne botulism cases, the median age was 40 with a range of from younger than 1 to 81 years old. Among the reported cases, 85 percent were hospitalized and 35 percent needed respiratory support.

Botulinum poisoning is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, they can occur as soon as six hours or up to 10 days later.

Symptoms may include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, paralysis — particularly of muscles used for breathing — a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth, and muscle weakness.

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