Single jar of olives tested positive for type B Clostridium botulinum

A single consumer is recovering from C. botulinum poisoning having consumed olives from a jar that tested positive for C. botulinum type B toxin.

Major retailers have confirmed they do not stock the implicated product. The product is most likely to be sold via specialist delicatessens or farmer market stalls. Photos of the implicated product are attached. The labelling information is only in Italian.

Investigations are underway to establish the retailers, UK distributors and general supply chain information.

Only one jar from the batch is currently known to have been contaminated with C. botulinum, but the Agency is advising consumers not to eat the contents of any jars from this batch as a precautionary measure.

The presence of C. botulinum renders the product a potential health risk.

Product name on label (please note that this is a variety of olive rather than a brand): Olive Bella Di Cerignola
Brand/Trade name: DIVINI di Chicco Francesco
Product description: Glass jar with metal screw top lid
Lot number: 161/11
Weight: 580.0g
Temperature: Ambient
Best before date: 10/06/2014
Country of origin: Italy
Producer details on label:
Divini di Chicco Francesco
Via Catalina, 3
Andria (BA)
Italy

Local authorities are requested to identify and make contact with relevant retailers in their area who may sell the implicated product. If implicated products are found during the course of their investigations, enforcement officers should ensure that the specific lot code and Best Before Date are withdrawn from sale. Unopened jars of the implicated product should be retained for analysis. Details of the analysis required can be obtained from the Food Standards Agency.

If local authorities find any implicated productthey should email the FSA’s dedicated Food Incidents mailbox: