The ______ bacterium can cause a potentially fatal foodborne illness.Home canned foods often are culprits of this intoxication.

Question

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Clostridium botulinum is a type of bacteria that can cause botulism, a fatal foodborne illness. Home-canned foods are particularly susceptible to botulinum toxin because the bacteria can grow in low-acid environments such as those found in improperly canned foods. Symptoms of botulism include nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and eventually paralysis. Early treatment with an antitoxin can be effective, but in severe cases, botulism can be fatal.

The ______ Bacterium Can Cause a Potentially Fatal Foodborne Illness