Resolved question:
I ate a yogurt that was 14 months past the expiration date--I usually check but it was served a friend's house, and I didn't see the date until after eating it. I am wondering about food poisoning, especially botulism. I am 8 hours post-ingestion and asymptomatic, I called the health dept. and they said there is nothing to do unless I get symptoms. I especially wonder about botulism since the nonproteolytic type doesn't change flavor and can grow in the refridgerator.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Infectious Disease Specialist
Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
Eating something past 14 months its expiration date could have been dangerous. Unfortunately you didn't know and since till now symptoms did not develop, it seems like nothing else will happen thankfully. In such cases any kind of gastro enteritis will be rapid and acute and you almost start having severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea right away. Botulism is not likely because it mostly grows in canned food and meat, and very less chances of it growing in dairy products. Plus botulism is also rapid in its onset. Since you're asymptomatic for 8 hours it can be ruled out.
You have to watch out for the gastro enteritis symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramps. Incase that happens appropriate treatment can be started. For the time being though, it is better you take Cap. Omeprazole 20 mg once to prevent hyper acidity which is possible considering the yoghurt expired long time back.
Otherwise nothing else needs to be done as of now.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.
Dear Dr. Sebastian,
Thank you for your kind advice and reassurance. The only part I don't get is the onset time of botulism. All the medical references (I am also a physician) say onset time is 12-36 hours.
In any case our dept. of health says they don't test residual food (I have some left) until or unless symptoms develop.
Best Regards,
Scott Berman
Hello.
Thank you for your follow up Mr. Scott.
Yes theoretically that holds good, but it entirely depends on the concentration of the clostridium that grown in the food. In you case since the yoghurt expired 14 months ago, ( for instance if botulinum was growing, it would reach a very very high concentration rate and hence i said symptoms can be expected to developed instantaneously ).
Anyway the good thing is as i told you, it does not grow in dairy products commonly.
And yes the health department won't investigate any food in absence of symptoms.
In case you feel weird, or manifest any symptoms do get back to me immediately.
Wish you great health,
Regards.
Hello.
Thank you for your follow up Mr. Scott.
Yes theoretically that holds good, but it entirely depends on the concentration of the clostridium that grows in the food. In you case since the yoghurt expired 14 months ago, ( for instance if botulinum was growing, it would reach a very very high concentration rate and hence i said symptoms can be expected to developed instantaneously ).
Anyway the good thing is as i told you, it does not grow in dairy products commonly.
And yes the health department won't investigate any food in absence of symptoms.
In case you feel weird, or manifest any symptoms do get back to me immediately.
Wish you great health,
Regards.