Woman Slathers Nacho Cheese on Doritos, Now in Hospital

Doritos and nacho cheese are two arguably iconic American snacks. What's not so iconic? Combining the two and potentially contracting botulism in the process.

And the woman in question, Lavinia Kelly, isn't alone in suffering from the condition.

Botulism – an illness brought on by bacteria, potentially leading to paralysis and trouble breathing, or even death – has affected a minimum of five people in this health scare, all hospitalized. Every case has been linked to Valley Oak Food and Fuel, located in Walnut Grove, a Sacramento, California suburb. Health officials are looking into several other probable cases and a suspect case, reports the Sacramento Bee.

It's unclear exactly what led to the poisoning, but officials think the outbreak is specifically linked to the nacho cheese sauce at the gas station. County officials have stopped prepared food sales there as of May 5.

Kelly's family is suing Valley Oak Food and Fuel, claiming breach of implied warranty, negligence and strict product liability, reports the Los Angeles Times, citing court records. She was driving home April 21, picked up and ate the snack and started to feel tired, according to her partner Ricky Torres. This was followed by double vision and unsteady gait the next day, followed by a visit to Sutter Medical Center, then back home and then back to Sutter where she was admitted to the intensive care unit.

She still can't speak or breathe on her own.

"We're just trying to figure out what happened," Torres told the Sacramento Bee. "Now I spend most of time at the hospital, I'm just trying to get answers. … She's been doing good, and we just don't understand why this happened over a bag of chips and nacho cheese. Really? How does that happen?"

Those showing symptoms after eating prepared food at the gas station – nacho cheese in particular – between April 23 and May 5 are being asked to talk to their medical provider right away, according to a statement from the Sacramento Country Health and Human Services Department.