Question

In October of 2002, General Mills Inc. recalled over 4,000 cans of refried beans suspected to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Which of the following statements regarding adult botulism is correct?
a. the anaerobic environment of the sealed can provides a suitable environment for the spores to germinate.
b. the spores produce a potent neurotoxin
c. symptoms of the disease are stiff, contracted muscles, such as "lockjaw", and eventual paralysis of the respiratory muscles, which results in death
d. reheating the beans to kill the bacteria will prevent the disease.
e. all of the above statements are correct

Answer 1

Answer:

A and B

Explanation:

A and B are correct answers.

C is incorrect because Botulism does not produce stiff muscle, in fact it produces flaccid paralysis. Stiff muscles and lockjaw is produced by C. Tetani.

D is somewhat incorrect because, although you can kill the toxins via heat, you would need to heat your food to over 100°C for around 10 minutes, which no one does. Thus, reheating beans would not protect you from the bacteria and/or its toxins.