Is botulism killed in the cooking process?

QUESTION: Is botulism killed in the cooking process?

ANSWER: Hi there,

First of all I have to inform you that botulism is neurological condition, which is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. So if you want to be sure, that you won’t develop botulism in future you will have to kill the bacteria and to neutralize the toxin.

The common cooking process is able to destroy the toxin, but it is not able to kill the bacteria. That means that you can swallow the bacteria and this small organism will start to produce the mentioned toxin inside your body, which will lead to the botulism in several days.

In purpose to kill the bacteria and the toxin, you have to fallow strictly the tips which I will give you. First of all take a high pressure cocker, in which you will put water and the meat, the vegetables or the other thing which you want to cook.

Second thing is to heat the cocker at 121 degrees of Celsius (250 °F) and to leave the cocker on the hot plate for at least 10 minutes. This procedure is known as “botulinum cook” and with the pressure, created inside the cocker and with the heat you will kill the bacteria.

You have to know that this process is scientifically proved, which means that it is tested to work. However, important fact related with botulism is to avoid giving honey to children, because they are more pliable to develop botulism regarding the adults.

Hope it helped!

Dr.Alba