why potlucks are a BAD IDEA

Who the fuck has a potluck for their wedding...like what thoughts are going through your head? I'm not trying to be a stuck up asshole but seriously the thought of a potluck wedding makes me cringe.

I want to read the article but work has CNN blocked!

(CNN)One person has died and at least 23 others were hospitalized after an outbreak of botulism following a potluck dinner at a central Ohio church, the Ohio Department of Health said Wednesday.

All of the patients attended the potluck Sunday at Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church in Lancaster, about 30 miles southeast of Columbus, said health department spokesman Russ Kennedy. As many as 60 people ate at the event.

Five patients are in critical condition and 10 were taken to hospitals in Columbus, according to Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday released 50 vials of antitoxin from the Strategic National Stockpile for the patients, CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said.

Russ Kennedy, a spokesman with the Ohio Department of Health, told CNN that the antitoxin has been distributed to hospitals treating patients.

The Fairfield County health department is leading the investigation and is working to identify the contaminated food.

Botulism can be fatal, with symptoms typically beginning within 36 hours of consuming contaminated food. The infection can result in paralysis, double vision, difficulty swallowing and respiratory failure.

"In this day and age, botulism from food is fairly rare. Generally it's canned foods," said Dr. Andrew Murry of Fairfield Medical Center. "The fatality rate is usually fairly low."

Botulism is not contagious.

"It is not a threat to our patients, visitors or staff or the community at large," Murry said.

@kerebear well, I was hungry, thanks for helping my diet.

This is just wrong on so many levels.

That's terrible. my guess is that somebody used ingredients that had been canned/preserved at home. Botulism can develop in improperly canned foods.

Someone died? That is terrible! Wow.

Oh God. Botulism is a horrible way to die. SHUDDER.

I agree with @Buttons: If I haven't seen the state of your kitchen I don't want to eat your food.

We have a friends wife who, when we ask what a dish is/consists of, says "Just eat it! When have you ever had something here you didn't like?"

The honest answer to that is always "last time."

How bout that greenbean casserole?

We just did a pot luck breakfast this morning at work. Most of it was just fresh fruit brought in put a few people were asked to bring in bacon, eggs, and sausage that was precooked at home. Then we made pancakes and waffles here on a griddle. I wouldn't touch the bacon, eggs, and sausage. I was okay with everything else since it was basically cooked here or just fresh fruit. Now I am glad.

Edited: Forgot about the scrambled eggs.

Lol @ stranger danger food

Eww!!

I don't even like potluck food! Now I really hate it. And potlucks at weddings?! How about no!

I dont do potlucks and i steer very clear of buffets also!! My caterer is unfortunately buffet style BUT they are serving from a covered area. I work in Epidemiology and know first hand the possible effects of this stuff! It very real and very scary. IF/WHEN we have a cook out I ask others to bring basically non perishable foods to pass. I am also food safety certified so im the freak that is always shoving a thermometer into the food LOL.....work has damaged me LOL

ETA: the venues around here that allow outside food make you sign a waver saying they are not to be held responsible

I would never do a potluck for my wedding, but I am curious about all the people who say "if I have not seen you kitchen, I'm not eating your food"....do you ask to see the restaurant's kitchen and to meet the chef when you go out to eat? I mean how are you really sure that they wash their hands and don't touch their face or scratch their asses back there? Just curious...

I remember posting how we were against them since we went to a potluck wedding Christmas Eve and FH spent Christmas in the hospital for severe food poisoning and dehydration. The general response from pro-potluckers was that while it sucked they/mom were a really good cook and that'd never happen with them.

Pro potluckers never have it happen to them.....

I owned a catering business for a lotta years and the health department was on our ass constantly. We had to take a class every year, be inspected at random and teach all our employees how to be safe, safeguards most home cooks/kitchens don't have in place. You can never be 100% sure that someone didn't sneeze in your food, but at least it's handled better, transported more safely, and cooked to the right temp....

But I also must say....its one thing to have your mom or who ever be a great cook for a family of 6 but to cook for 100+ people...corners tend to get cut due to a time crunch!! Thats why the whole idea makes me ill

........so I'm going to a wedding on Friday that is a potluck lol.

Its more of a.....we don't want gifts, we just want you, but if you want to bring something, bring it to share. And it's only about 15 people, in the brides Moms house. So I'm crossing my fingers !

This is why I never eat anything with Mayonnaise at potlucks.