Botulism outbreak in Calabria costs two lives

Two deaths linked to a broccoli and sausage sandwich from a Calabria food truck trigger a nationwide recall and an investigation.

Botulism outbreak in Calabria costs two lives

Two deaths have been linked to a broccoli and sausage sandwich bought from a street food truck in the Calabrian town of Diamante. Luigi Di Sarno, 52, died after falling ill on the way back to Naples; Tamara D’Acunto, 45, has also died. More than a dozen people were hospitalised with botulism symptoms after consuming the same meal, which included grilled sausages and cime di rapa, an Italian vegetable similar to broccoli. Authorities ordered a nationwide recall of commercially produced panini and opened an investigation into the truck operator, the supplier, and medical staff who treated victims. Postmortems are planned as part of the inquiry, and the Health Ministry says protocols were activated to ensure patients received life-saving antidotes promptly. The Calabria cluster follows earlier botulism cases in Sardinia linked to a festival, underscoring how quickly such outbreaks can spread through local events and street food networks.

This outbreak highlights how even small, mobile food operations can pose large health risks when safety controls are weak or poorly enforced. Botulism is rare but deadly, and toxins can spread quickly through prepared foods sold at events or from mobile outlets. The swift recall and the multi-party investigations show both the strengths and gaps in Italy’s food safety system, including oversight of vendors, supply chains, and medical response. Public confidence in street food may be shaken, and policymakers could face pressure to tighten rules, increase inspections, and stock essential antidotes. The case also raises questions about how quickly authorities share information with the public during a crisis and how occupational health protections for food workers are enforced.

Highlights

Authorities say lessons learned will shape future safety rules.