A fatal case of suspected botulism has sparked a nationwide broccoli recall in Italy after a man died and nine others were hospitalized following meals from the same food truck. Authorities say the outbreak, traced to broccoli in oil used in sandwiches, has raised urgent food safety concerns and triggered seizures of contaminated products.Local media report that the victim, 52-year-old artist and musician Luigi Di Sarno, was on holiday with his family in Calabria when he purchased a broccoli and sausage sandwich from a vendor on the Diamante seafront in Cosenza province. Soon after eating, Di Sarno fell severely ill while driving home and died before reaching the hospital on Thursday. His family, two women in their 40s and two 17-year-olds, also became sick and required emergency treatment at Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza.Medical staff told reporters the patients showed signs consistent with botulism, a rare but potentially deadly illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
Two of Di Sarno’s relatives were in serious condition upon arrival at the intensive care unit, according to hospital sources. The Paola Public Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the seizure of broccoli jars in oil and impounded the food truck linked to the outbreak. An autopsy is being finalized to determine the exact cause of death, but local outlets report botulism is strongly suspected.
Second suspected botulism outbreak in Italy
The tragedy comes just days after a separate botulism scare in Sardinia, where eight people were hospitalized after consuming guacamole from a Mexican food stand at Fiesta Latina, held in Monserrato between July 22 and 25. Local authorities believe the dip may have been contaminated with the same toxin.To respond to both incidents, health officials have flown in vials of antitoxin serum to treat patients. They said, “No region or hospital in the country is authorised to store the antivenom in their own facilities. This serum, however, is exclusively available to the Ministry of Health, which holds it in designated secure locations and distributes it only through the Lombardy Poison Control Centre.”
Authorities continue to investigate both outbreaks while urging consumers to avoid eating recalled broccoli products.
What is botulism?
Botulism is a rare yet dangerous illness caused by a toxin that targets the body’s nerves and can lead to life-threatening complications. The toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It can develop from contaminated food, infected wounds, or, in infants, when bacterial spores grow in the intestines.
Sometimes, botulism can occur when excessive amounts of botulinum toxin are injected for cosmetic or medical purposes. This uncommon type is known as iatrogenic botulism, with “iatrogenic” referring to a condition caused by medical treatment or examination.The symptoms of foodborne botulism include Trouble swallowing or speaking, dry mouth, facial weakness on both sides of the face, blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, and paralysis.
