Advertisement

Vancouver Coastal Health issues botulism warning over Richmond-made sauce

Vancouver Coastal Health says anyone who has Betty's King Sauce in their cupboard should throw it away.
Vancouver Coastal Health says anyone who has Betty's King Sauce in their cupboard should throw it away. Betty's King Sauce

Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a public warning about a locally-made sauce which could cause botulism.

The health authority said investigators have discovered that Betty’s King Sauce, sold in six-ounce jars, is being prepared in a Richmond home, which is not an approved or inspected facility.

It added that the ingredients being used and the processing method could allow for the growth of Clostridium boltulinum, the bacteria that produces a toxin known to cause food-borne botulism.

The sauce has been marketed online through Instagram and Facebook accounts, as well as a website, dating back to 2014, according to VCH.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

No illnesses have been linked to Betty’s King Sauce so far, the health authority said.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: Woman contracts botulism after eating nacho cheese at California gas station

Click to play video: 'Woman contracts botulism after eating nacho cheese at California gas station'
Woman contracts botulism after eating nacho cheese at California gas station

However, it says the processor has been advised to cease production, and that anyone who has the product at home should throw it away.

Botulism is an extremely rare bacterial illness, but can be potentially lethal.

Vancouver Coastal Health warns that food contaminated with the toxin might not look or smell spoiled. However, if ingested, it can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, respiratory failure or paralysis.

It says people who contract botulism usually display symptoms 12 to 36 hours after consuming the contaminated food.

Story continues below advertisement

Anyone with concerns or questions can call Vancouver Coastal Health’s health protection division at 604-233-3147.

Sponsored content

AdChoices