Toxic broccoli sandwich linked to two deaths

A student speaks out after a broccoli-like turnip greens sandwich is linked to two deaths and hospitalizations in Calabria.

Toxic broccoli sandwich linked to two deaths in Calabria

Gaia Vitiello, a 24-year-old student from Naples, bought the panini from a food truck in Diamante, Calabria, around 4:30 am on August 5. The sandwich included a broccoli-like vegetable known as turnip greens, and her friends ate the same item without broccoli. She added broccoli herself and soon fell ill, experiencing diarrhea and worsening symptoms that led to hospitalisation at Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza.

Two people died after eating the same meal: Luigi Di Sarno, 52, and Tamara D’Acunto, 45. At least 17 others were hospitalised, and several relatives were treated after consuming the sandwich. Authorities are reviewing the incident and potential contamination sources.

This incident highlights how street food can become a public health risk when safety checks lag. Mobile vendors often operate with limited oversight, and a single contaminated ingredient can have serious consequences. The use of turnip greens as a broccoli substitute in a panini adds to the complexity of tracking supply chains.

Public confidence in quick-service foods may dip, and local tourism could suffer. The case underscores the need for clearer labeling, safer storage, and stronger enforcement while preserving the vitality of small vendors.

Highlights

The future of street food safety depends on clear guidelines and swift action.