Asda recalls beetroot over botulism scare

Updated
Texture of red beet slices isolated on white background
Texture of red beet slices isolated on white background



If you've bought a jar of pickled beetroot from Asda recently, then there's a chance that a deadly bacteria is lurking in your kitchen cupboard. The supermarket has issued an urgent recall over fears that one batch may not be protected from the bacteria that causes botulism.

The affected product is 710g jars of 'Asda Chosen By You Pickled Crinkle Cut Beetroot' with a Best before date of 6 December 2016, a batch code of 4340 and a barcode of 505407035908.

If you have any in the kitchen, the Food Standards Agency has warned that it shouldn't be eaten, but should be returned to your nearest store immediately for a refund. No other Asda products are known to be affected.
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Should you be worried?

It's worth highlighting that the FSA has issued the recall, not because any of the bacteria has been found, but because the manufacturer couldn't adequately demonstrate that it had used the controls it usually has in place to prevent the growth and toxin production of the bacteria. In a statement is said: "A recall from customers is being carried out as a precautionary measure."

Never-the-less, the risk should be taken very seriously, because if any of the Clostridium botulinium bacteria is in the jars, eating it could be deadly. The bacteria is one of the most powerful known to science, and attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis. It also causes blurred vision, drooping eyelids and difficulty swallowing or speaking. If someone is affected and the condition is not treated, then in one in ten people affected it will eventually paralyse the muscles controlling breathing, so the bacteria can be fatal.

Cases of botulism are very rare, and since 200 there have been only seven cases of food-borne botulism and one death. However, an outbreak can be disastrous. Those with long memories will remember the outbreak in 1989 caused by contaminated hazelnut yoghurt, which caused 26 cases of botulism, and saw one victim die.

It's therefore worth checking the details on any jars of beetroot and erring on the side of caution.

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The Danger of Botulism in Food
The Danger of Botulism in Food



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