A 23-year-old Brazilian woman’s dream adventure in Colorado turned into a nightmare after consuming a common pantry item, leading to a rare and severe case of paralysis.

After a day that started like any other, Claudia de Albuquerque Celada’s life changed drastically. Within just 24 hours of experiencing her first symptoms, which included dizziness, double vision, and difficulty breathing, Claudia was completely paralyzed and had to be put on a ventilator.

What is Botulism?

Botulism is an exceedingly rare but serious condition caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves, leading to difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and possibly death. The culprit is often improperly preserved or canned foods.

To mitigate the risk of botulism, the CDC recommends refrigerating homemade oils infused with garlic or herbs, keeping baked potatoes hot or properly refrigerated, and refrigerating canned or pickled foods once opened. When in doubt about food safety, it’s better to err on the side of caution and discard the item.

The Suspected Source

Though not confirmed, investigations suggested that pre-packaged soup might have been the source of Claudia’s condition. Despite negative tests on soup samples from the store, it’s speculated that the soup might not have been stored or reheated correctly.

Claudia’s journey to recovery is expected to last up to a year, highlighting the importance of food safety and the potential dangers lurking in everyday pantry items.