Hearts of palms preserves and botulism in Brazil: An overview of outbreaks, causes and risk management strategies

• The occurrence and significance of foodborne botulism in Brazil was examined.
• The role of hearts of palm preserves as vehicles for botulism was highlighted.
• The causes of hearts of palm preserve-associated botulism outbreaks were discussed.
• Risk management strategies adopted by public health authorities were reviewed.
• A perspective on the success of the changes implemented to ensure safe preserves was given.

Botulism is a serious disease that causes paralysis or weakness of the muscles, including those needed for breathing. It is caused by a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. This manuscript reviews the association of hearts of palm preserves with botulism outbreaks in Brazil, examines the main causes and presents a chronology of the preventive and corrective measures taken by public health authorities. The changes in legislation, processing conditions and controls stipulated to avoid the re-occurrence of botulism outbreaks were also discussed. A perspective on the current situation of hearts of palm preserve-associated botulism outbreaks highlights the success of the risk management strategies implemented.