Czech pork pâté from Luhačovice linked to botulinum toxin risk

Health and veterinary officials in the Czech Republic have issued a warning about pork pâtés sold at Hotel Litovel in Luhačovice after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the bacterium *Clostridium botulinum*. The warning initially covered the "Naše vepřová paštika s mandlemi" product and was later expanded to include the "Naše vepřová paštika se zeleným pepřem" variant. The bacterium can produce botulinum toxin, which may cause severe botulism with symptoms such as blurred vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness.

Consumers are advised not to consume any of the affected pâtés regardless of the printed best‑before date, to discard them safely or return them to the point of sale, and to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear. The regional veterinary authority of the Zlín Region, represented by director Michal Kamarád, and the hygiene department, led by Růžena Bednaříková, emphasized the health danger.

The Slovak Public Health Authority (ÚVZ SR) has issued a parallel alert for the same product, noting that Slovak consumers may have purchased the pâté in Slovakia. It confirmed the same bacterial contamination and reiterated the recommendation to avoid consumption and to dispose of the product safely.