YELLOWKNIFE(July 19, 2018) – Dr. Andre Corriveau, Chief Public Health Officer, is advising anyone who purchased the ready to eat pesto prepared by Riverside Growers NT and sold at the Fisherman’s Wharf Market in Hay River on July 7 and 14, 2018 to discard it and to not eat it.

There is a risk of botulism related to consuming this product.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis. The bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is found commonly in nature, produces this toxin.

The vendor has contacted anyone they know purchased the product and has directed them to throw out the product and not eat it. This advisory is being issued to reach any remaining customers who should discard the product immediately and not eat it.

Symptoms of botulism can include

• fatigue, weakness and dizziness;
• blurred or double vision;
• dryness in the mouth, throat and nose and difficulty in swallowing and speaking;
• headache;
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and, less commonly, diarrhea; and
• paralysis that starts in the shoulders and arms and moves down the body.

Severe cases of botulism can lead to paralysis of the breathing muscles, respiratory or heart failure and death.

Symptoms of foodborne botulism generally begin 12 to 36 hours after ingesting contaminated food; however, onset can begin as soon as 6 hours after exposure, or as long as 10 days later.

If you have consumed this product and have any of these symptoms seek medical attention.

For more information on botulism please visit:

www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/food-safety/fact-sheet/botulism.html

For more information contact:

Damien Healy
Manager Communications
Health and Social Services
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034