 There was a family event where someone served improperly canned foods and eight people were actually hospitalized when they came down with symptoms of botulism poisoning. So it's very much alive in the environment today. It's a real risk. But help is available. Starting today, the OSU Extension Food Safety Preservation Hotline is staffed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 11th. Expert volunteers can even help determine if that homemade jam you received as a gift is safe.