SYDNEY, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- An almond milk product is being recalled from shelves in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), as the local health authority confirmed it was linked to a case of botulism.
According to a statement from the NSW Health on Thursday, the Inside Out Unsweetened Almond Milk, with a use-by date of March 1, is sold at the major supermarket Woolworths across the state.
The contamination was identified when a person experienced severe symptoms of botulism after drinking the product.
The NSW Food Authority is investigating the manufacturing of the product to determine the possible cause of the contamination.
Keira Glasgow, director of the NSW Health's One Health branch, said that foodborne botulism is very rare in Australia, but the toxin can be extremely dangerous and can cause life-threatening illnesses.
"Early symptoms of foodborne botulism include weakness, fatigue and vertigo. While these symptoms occur commonly due to a number of health conditions, with botulism it is usually followed by blurred vision, dry mouth and difficulty swallowing. Nausea and vomiting may also occur," Glasgow said.
"These symptoms can progress to paralysis of the arm muscles and continue down the body to the trunk and legs, and paralysis of breathing muscles can be fatal," she added.
Glasgow urged anyone who has consumed this product and experiences these serious symptoms to seek immediate medical help. ■
