Duck products recalled in france - but risk of botulism now ruled out

THE RECALL IS STILL NEEDED DUE TO LABELLING OR PACKAGING ANOMALIES AND POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS, SAYS THE AGRICULTURE MINISTRY Around a dozen duck-based food products that were

recalled in France due to fears of a risk of the toxin botulism have now been confirmed as safe and the risk of botulism ruled out. The products - including terrine, confit, foie gras, and

rillettes - were sold under the brand La ferme au délice royal, and had been listed on the government’s official RECALL WEBSITE RAPPEL CONSO. They were mainly sold at Intermarché stores and

were subject to a recall on February 13. However, the Agriculture Ministry has now said that the products have been checked and do not present a risk of botulism. In a statement, the

ministry confirmed: “After verification, no presence of the Clostridium botulinum bacterium or its toxins was found in the recalled products". This means that "this botulism risk

is not proven", it said. RECALL STILL GOING AHEAD The duck products are still being recalled, however, due to labelling anomalies and manufacturing defects, leaks or packaging

anomalies, the statement said. The products are all in glass jars, and may have been "manufactured and/or stored under conditions that do not provide satisfactory health

guarantees", it added. The batches concerned have production/use-by dates between January 1, 2021 and 31 December 31, 2026. Anyone who has these products at home is advised not to

consume them, and to dispose of them safely. Last September, one person died and several were hospitalised after eating sardines in jars at a Bordeaux restaurant. WHAT IS BOTULISM?

Clostridium botulinum bacterium is a neurotoxin that can cause botulism, a life-threatening condition that attacks the nervous system (nerves, brain and spinal cord) and can cause paralysis.

It initially causes severe digestive symptoms, and without treatment it can cause drooping eyelids, blurred vision, muscle weakness, and breathing difficulties. Botulism needs urgent

medical care in a hospital as early as possible. To avoid the toxin, people are advised to never eat from bulging or damaged cans, to avoid eating foul-smelling preserved foods, food stored

at the incorrect temperature or that is out-of-date. People who can their own food are at slightly greater risk if they do not follow proper procedures. Babies under the age of one should

also not eat honey as it is known to contain spores that can cause botulism. Children and adults older than this are not at risk from honey as the body develops resistance against them by

that age. READ ALSO: WHY THESE FRENCH CHEESES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED TO YOUNG CHILDREN FULL RECALL DETAILS The full details of the duck products from La ferme au délice royal are (click on the

links for more information on the Rappel Conso website, including photos of the products): The website advises that anyone with the products at home should not consume or use the product,

and if they wish, to contact customer services at the point of sale. RELATED ARTICLES NEARLY 6,000 FOOD PRODUCTS RECALLED IN FRANCE OVER TWO YEARS SUPERMARKET FRESH FISH RECALLED ACROSS

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