All News / Outbreaks /

Home canning? Be Careful!

We thought we’d pass along some advice we read in the Springfield News Leader about home canning. This newspaper had readers who proudly call themselves “Ozarkers.” But those folks are not the only ones these days who are trying to be more self-sufficient and thrifty, so listen up!

Canning fresh foods at home can be a safe and affordable way to preserve bounty from your garden, but it can also pose a health risk if done improperly, said Jaci McReynolds, with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

“The most serious health risks with home canning are caused by improper preparation of the food during the canning process,” she said.

“In fact, about 90 percent of the foodborne illness outbreaks and death related to botulism can be traced to improperly home canned low-acid foods,” she said.

Botulism is a deadly toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, McReynolds said.

For more, go here.

Get Help

Affected by an outbreak or recall?

The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

Get a free consultation
Related Resources
What is Botulism?

Botulism is a life-threatening paralytic illness caused by neurotoxins produced by an anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium—Clostridium botulinum. Botulism is a rare disease and only affects a few hundred persons each...

Epidemiology and Microbiology of Botulism

C. botulinum bacteria and spores are widely distributed in nature because they are indigenous to soils and waters. They occur in both cultivated and forest soils, bottom sediment of streams...

Symptoms of Botulism

After their ingestion, botulinum neurotoxins are absorbed primarily in the duodenum and jejunum, pass into the bloodstream, and travel to synapses in the nervous system. There, the neurotoxins cause flaccid...

Detection and Treatment of Botulism

Although botulism can be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, distinguishing it from other diseases is often difficult, especially in the absence of other known persons affected by the condition. Common...

Botulism Outcomes and Long-Term and Permanent Injury

In the past 50 years, mortality from botulism has fallen dramatically (from about 50% to 8%) because of advances in supportive care, which is the mainstay of treatment. The respiratory...

Outbreak Database

Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks?

The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

View Outbreak Database