EPISODE · Jun 12, 2026 · 24 MIN
Case File: 8 Brutal Botulism Outbreaks
from The Cadaver's Lessons · host Bernadette & Samantha Smith
🔗 Check out all our links, sources, and socials:https://linktr.ee/thecadaverslessonBotulism is one of the most dangerous food-borne illnesses known to medicine. Caused by a powerful neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, the disease attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. What makes botulism particularly frightening is that the toxin cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.In this episode, we explore the history of botulism outbreaks in the United States and examine how a series of food safety failures shaped modern public health regulations. From contaminated canned olives in the 1920s to a gas station nacho cheese dispenser in 2017, these outbreaks reveal how small mistakes in food preparation and storage can have devastating consequences.The 1920s Canned Olive Outbreak1977: The Trini & Carmen's Hot Sauce Outbreak1978: The Colonial Park Country Club Salad Bar Outbreak1983: The Skewer Inn Sautéed Onion Outbreak1994: The El Paso Baked Potato Outbreak2015: The Ohio Church Potluck Outbreak2016: The Prison Wine Outbreak2017: The Nacho Cheese Outbreak📚 References Collins A. The worst botulism outbreaks in US history. Tasting Table. November 21, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2026.https://www.tastingtable.com/1728288/worst-botulism-outbreaks-us-history/
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Case File: 8 Brutal Botulism Outbreaks
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