Soul Cedar Farm of Quilcene, WA, is recalling all batches of Zesty Sweet Peppers because of potential contamination from Clostridium botulinum toxins.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed that one batch of Zesty Sweet Peppers had a pH level high enough to support the formation of the Clostridium botulinum toxin, which causes botulism poisoning. 

The recalled product was packaged in 8-ounce glass containers and was sold at retail stores in Quilcene and Port Townsend, WA.

Consumers who have purchased the Zesty Sweet Peppers are urged not to consume the product and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

about botulism
While a variety of illnesses can result from eating under-processed food, one of the most dangerous is botulism poisoning. Untreated, botulism can paralyze the muscles needed for breathing, resulting in sudden death.

Anyone who has eaten any recalled product and developed signs of botulism poisoning should immediately seek medical attention, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, symptoms can begin as soon as 6 hours after or up to 10 days later,” according to the CDC website.

The symptoms of botulism may include some of all of the following: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. People with botulism poisoning may not show all of these symptoms at once.

These symptoms result from muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If untreated, the disease may progress, and symptoms may worsen to cause paralysis of specific muscles, including those used in breathing and those in the arms, legs, and the body from the neck to the pelvis area.