Here's a pretty extreme case for avoiding potlucks: one person has died and at least 20 others remain sick due to food-borne botulism, which contaminated an unknown dish at a church potluck this weekend. Botulism, a serious and sometimes fatal bacterium, creates a toxin that attacks nerves and can lead to paralysis of the limbs and respiratory muscles. Symptoms usually show up within 36 hours of eating the food but can begin more than a week after. To avoid this terrible situation from happening to you or others, research the handy Instagram handle #botulism for graphic examples of shady biz-nasty. In addition, here is what you need to know when preparing and consuming food at a potluck (do be sure to click the links to see photographed examples):