Botulism: preserved concern about "La Ruche"

Eight people remain hospitalized with botulism in a serious condition in the Vaucluse and the Somme after consuming food contaminated with toxic bacteria. The survey identified the offending food: it was a can of green olive tapenade with almonds produced by the establishment hive of Cavaillon and sold under the brand The delights of Marie-Claire . But inspection of the cottage industry has revealed that she had never registered with the veterinary services. And because of this lack of reporting, the production facility installed in 2000 had never been inspected. The owners themselves did not perform control and they had not requested a technical body.

Shocked, the pair of artisans who runs the place, aged about sixty years, did so "out of ignorance," said Martine Clavel, secretary general of the prefecture of Vaucluse. While stressing that "the material used is unsuitable for sterilization was done with a washing machine-like." Because of these conditions of production, are all foods produced by the same company who are now suspects. And analysis carried out immediately "on other cans of the same institution also revealed the presence of the germ is Clostridium botulinum or botulinum toxin," state health authorities.

Several brands involved

Are suspicious of products as diverse as anchovies, dried tomatoes, the thoïonades, spreads, eggplant caviar, pesto sauce, pesto, the poivronnade, the poichichade and artichonade. DGCCRF and the Directorate General of Health asked the hive to withdraw, "as a precaution, all the cans produced in his establishment." And they call all those who might buy this cottage industry not to consume canned from The Hive Cavaillon, which are also sold under the brands The delights of Marie Claire, and The Land of Mistral secrets Anais.

Problem: "However, many jars are still in use, posing a severe risk to those who consume," say the Directorate General of Health and the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud. "The places of purchase are deemed very touristy, they have been purchased by consumers in all regions of France or other countries." The bee products are sold in grocery stores and markets in the region Provence-Alpes Cote d'Azur and on the Internet. Consumers may return the products to the place of purchase or the Departmental Directorates of the protection of populations.