Saudi authorities have announced that the source of recent cases of food poisoning in Riyadh at a popular burger chain in the kingdom has been tracked to a bacterium found in a mayonnaise product used by the chain.
Last month, scores of cases of botulism were reported in the kingdom which were linked to the Hamburgini restaurant chain, prompting the authorities to take necessary measures and open a probe into the matter.
The health ministry said earlier this month that 75 people were affected and one death was reported.
In a follow up to the matter, the Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Ministry announced that lab analysis conducted by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority revealed that Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which causes botulism, was found in a sample of ‘BON TUM’ mayonnaise that was served by the chain, reports Al Arabiya new website.
Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that produces dangerous toxins-botulinum toxins-under low-oxygen conditions.
Botulinum toxins are one of the most lethal substances known. They block nerve functions and can lead to respiratory and muscular paralysis, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Foodborne botulism, caused by consumption of improperly processed food, is a rare but potentially fatal disease if not diagnosed rapidly and treated with antitoxin,” WHO explained.
Consequently, the distribution of the mayonnaise has been halted nationwide and it will be removed from markets and food establishments across Saudi Arabia.
“The factory producing the mayonnaise has been shut down pending legal action,” the ministry said in a statement, calling on the factory’s customers to destroy the product.
“All remaining stock of the product at the factory, regardless of batch or expiration date, will be withdrawn and destroyed,” the ministry noted underscoring that food safety regulations will continue to be in place.
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