FDA warns of botulism in French tapenade

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Health officials in Washington say France is blaming tapenade, a spreadable dried tomato paste, made by the French company La Ruche for an outbreak of botulism.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement it has no indication any tainted La Ruche products have been imported into the United States. The agency said it has increased its monitoring of shipments from that region of the world and issued a bulletin to its field offices Saturday to be vigilant.

French health authorities have reported an outbreak of botulism in France linked to the company's products sold under the brand names "Les delices de Marie-Claire," "Terre de Mistral" and Les Secrets d'Anais." Eight adults have suffered respiratory failure as a result of eating foods containing the neurotoxin, which is produced by Clostridium botulinum, FDA officials say.

French authorities ordered production halted at the company's facility in France and have directed that all products sold under those brand names to be recalled, FDA officials say.