The California Department of Health is warning consumers not to eat certain soups sold at southern California farmers markets because they may have been produced in a way that makes them susceptible to Clostridium botulinum. CDPH said Monday that canned soups manufactured by Malibu-based One Gun Ranch and Santa Barbara-based Organic Soup Kitchen had the potential to be contaminated with the bacteria, which produces harmful toxins that can be dangerous to human health. The soups from One Gun Ranch (left) that are subject to the warning include: Campfire Kitchen Cauliflower Soup, Heirloom Tomato Fennel Gaspacho Soup, Sequoia’s Skinny Spiced Coconut, Parsnip, and Tumeric Soup, Oassian’s Pumpkin Stew and Freddy’s Firegrilled Meatballs. The soups were sold only at the Pacific Palisades Farmers Market located at Swarthmore Avenue and Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades, CA on May 13, 2012 and June 3, 2012. They were sold in 16 oz. glass jars with screw-on metal lids. The soups from Organic Soup Kitchen (below) were sold at two farmers markets: the Calabasas Farmers Market, located at Calabasas Road and El Canon Avenue in Calabasas, CA 91302 (Saturdays) and the Studio City Farmers Market, located at Ventura Place between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Radford Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604 (Sundays). The soups were sold between June 6,2011 and May 6, 2012 in one-quart jars with screw-on metal lids. The affected soups include the following flavors: Fire Roasted Yam, Curried Potato Leek, Curry Lentil Bisque, Tomato Bean and Wild Herb and Mediterranean Chipotle Chili.
Consumers who purchased any of the soups described above are urged to throw them out immediately and then thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water. As of Monday, no illnesses had been linked to these soups, CDPH reported. The Health Department says it is working with both companies to make sure all the products in question are all removed from sale. Botulism is a serious paralytic illness that occurs when toxins released by Clostridium botulinum bacteria attack the nervous system. Early symptoms include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids and a dry, sore throat. Other symptoms may include slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, inability of the neck muscles to support the head and paralysis of the extremities or respiratory muscles. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, experience constipation, have a weak cry and have poor muscle tone. If you or your child experiences any of these symptoms contact your healthcare provider.
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