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A California salad contaminated with Clostridium botulinum caused eight hospitalizations. Thirty-one people attended two events in Fresno County where a homemade salad containing uncooked, improperly preserved nopales (prickly pear cactus) was served. Ten attendees who ate the salad experienced botulism symptoms, with eight diagnosed and hospitalized. The contaminated nopales, stored unrefrigerated in reused jars, created a breeding ground for the deadly neurotoxin. All patients recovered, highlighting the importance of safe food handling practices. This outbreak is one of the largest documented foodborne botulism outbreaks in California.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.