Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2098677 | Trends in Food Science & Technology | 2013 | 16 Pages |
•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.