MMWR. 1999;48:269-271
Cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides (i.e., organic phosphates and carbamates), widely used in agriculture, can cause illness if they contaminate food or drinking water. Aldicarb, a regulated carbamate pesticide, is highly toxic, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires applicators to be trained and certified. This report describes a foodborne outbreak of aldicarb poisoning that occurred when improperly stored and labeled aldicarb was used mistakenly in food preparation.
On July 19, 1998, 20 employees attended a company lunch prepared from homemade foods. Shortly after eating, several persons developed neurologic and gastrointestinal symptoms. Ten visited a hospital emergency department, and two were hospitalized. On July 20, a hospital infection-control nurse reported the incident to the Louisiana Office of Public Health, which then investigated the outbreak.
Investigators interviewed all 20 lunch participants about illness and foods eaten during the meal; 14 (70%) reported gastrointestinal or neurologic symptoms. The most common gastrointestinal symptoms . . . [Full Text of this Article]
