CALIFORNIA – A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) highlighted the dangers of food that has been improperly canned, says California Poison Control System (CPCS). Home-canned nopales, the pads of prickly pear cactus and a popular vegetable used in Mexican cuisine, created the botulism outbreak, which nearly killed eight people.The report noted that this is the first time home-canned nopales have been linked to an outbreak of botulism, but any improperly canned food can result in foodborne botulism.The nopales were included in salads at two separate family gatherings. Eight attendees developed botulism symptoms and were admitted to the hospital, with stays ranging from two to 42 days. All received an antitoxin to combat the illness, with six admitted to intensi
