A recent fatal botulism case in Italy has raised alarming food safety concerns, leading to a nationwide recall of broccoli products. The outbreak is linked to contaminated broccoli in oil served from a food truck, resulting in the tragic death of a man and hospitalization of nine others. Authorities are investigating the situation, which is thought to be caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
The outbreak has been traced to broccoli in oil that was used in sandwiches sold by a food truck. Local media reports indicate that the victim, 52-year-old artist and musician Luigi Di Sarno, was vacationing with his family in Calabria when he purchased a broccoli and sausage sandwich from a vendor along the Diamante seafront in Cosenza province. Shortly after consuming the meal, Di Sarno fell gravely ill while driving home and tragically succumbed to his condition before reaching the hospital on Thursday.
Di Sarno's family members, including two women in their 40s and two 17-year-olds, also exhibited symptoms and required emergency treatment at Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza. Medical staff confirmed that the patients displayed signs consistent with botulism, a rare but potentially deadly illness caused by the toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Reports from the hospital indicate that two of Di Sarno’s relatives were in serious condition upon their arrival at the intensive care unit.
In response to this tragic incident, the Paola Public Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the seizure of jars of broccoli in oil and has impounded the food truck implicated in the outbreak. An autopsy is currently being conducted to determine the exact cause of death, but initial reports suggest that botulism is strongly suspected.
This incident comes on the heels of another suspected botulism outbreak in Sardinia, where eight individuals were hospitalized after consuming contaminated guacamole from a Mexican food stand at the Fiesta Latina event in Monserrato, which took place between July 22 and 25. Authorities suspect that the same toxin may have contributed to both outbreaks.
To address both incidents, health officials have expedited the delivery of vials of antitoxin serum to treat affected patients. It is important to note that no region or hospital in Italy is authorized to store this antivenom; it is only available through the Ministry of Health, which keeps it in secure locations and distributes it via the Lombardy Poison Control Centre. As investigations continue, authorities are urging consumers to avoid any recalled broccoli products.
Botulism is a rare yet serious illness caused by a potent toxin that affects the body’s nerves, potentially leading to life-threatening complications. The toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can be present in contaminated food, infected wounds, or, in infants, when bacterial spores grow in the intestines. Iatrogenic botulism, a rarer form, can occur when excessive amounts of botulinum toxin are injected for cosmetic or medical purposes.
Symptoms of foodborne botulism include difficulty swallowing or speaking, dry mouth, facial weakness on both sides of the face, blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, trouble breathing
