Several people in California have been affected by a botulism outbreak originating at a gas station. Botulinum bacteria are anaerobic and can contaminate improperly canned foods, such as a gas station's nacho cheese:
An outbreak of severe food poisoning in Sacramento, California, that left nine people in hospital has been linked to cheese sauce sold on nacho crisps at a family-run petrol station.
[...] Cases of botulism, a rare and sometimes fatal form of food poisoning, were first reported on 5 May and in total nine people are confirmed to have it. One of the victims is reportedly so ill she cannot speak or keep her eyes open.
[...] Botulism poisoning is caused by toxins released by a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Human digestive processes cannot break down the toxic chemical, which moves to the nervous system. Symptoms emerge in adults 18-36 hours after eating contaminated food.
Also at CBS and The Sacramento Bee.
(Score: 2) by Mykl on Tuesday May 23 2017, @01:41AM (1 child)
Well, to be fair, the market will eventually sort itself out. People who would normally buy nacho cheese from gas stations will die off, and others will stop visiting that store, therefore putting the owners out of business. Win-win!
(Score: 1) by idiot_king on Tuesday May 23 2017, @03:50AM
Alternatively, the government steps in, prevents them from selling tainted cheese, preventing people from getting sick, preventing a boycott, preventing business lost, and preventing a correction. Id est, there is no "boom and bust" going on, everyone's happy, the end.