Toxin in food sickened eight in California

Eight people in California were hospitalized after consuming a homemade salad contaminated with botulinum toxin, a dangerous neurotoxin causing paralysis. The salad, made with improperly preserved uncooked nopales (prickly pear cactus pads), was served at a family reunion. The CDC investigation revealed the nopales, stored in reused jars, provided an ideal environment for the growth of the deadly bacteria. Symptoms included blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness. The outbreak is one of the largest documented foodborne botulism cases in California, highlighting the importance of safe food preservation practices.