Two die in Italy after eating sausage and turnip top sandwiches
Authorities have launched an investigation into an outbreak of toxic botulism after the panini were allegedly bought at a food truck near the town of Diamante in Calabria, the southern region that makes up the toe of the Italian boot.
Luigi di Sarno, a 52-year-old artist, and Tamara D'Acunto, 45, have been named as the two fatalities.
Post-mortem examinations are to be carried out on their bodies this week.
Another 14 people came down with food poisoning, including two teenagers, and had to be taken to hospital.
The victims all fell ill within 24 to 48 hours of eating the sandwiches.
They went to the food truck and bought panini filled with grilled sausages and cime di rapa – or turnip tops – a popular summer vegetable in Italy similar to broccoli.
Nine people are being investigated by the authorities, including the owner of the food truck and three employees of the company that allegedly made the sandwiches.
Five doctors who treated the victims in two different hospitals near the city of Cosenza are also under investigation.
They are accused of not having made their diagnoses quickly enough.
Mr Di Sarno's sister said her brother was sent home from hospital despite still feeling unwell, and later died.
'Toxic botulism is highly potent,' said Enrico Di Rosa, the president of the Italian Society of Workplace Hygiene. 'Just a very small amount is enough to cause serious harm, as we have seen.'
Investigators have ordered the nationwide seizure of the commercially produced panini. The food truck has also been seized and the products it sold are being analysed.
Attacks the body's nerves
Botulism is a serious illness that is caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves. It can cause muscle paralysis, breathing difficulties and death.
It occurs typically in canned, preserved and fermented foods.
The owner of the food truck, 33-year-old Giuseppe Santonocito, is said to be 'devastated' by the deaths. It is thought the turnip greens were kept in olive oil in glass jars or containers.
'He is psychologically devastated,' said his lawyer, Francesco Liserre. 'He has worked for around nine years in the food sector and he is well respected. He is convinced that the contamination was already in the products that he served.
'He bought the products at the end of July, he has the receipts to prove it. The containers were opened as and when necessary and the contents would make six or seven panini, so they were used up quickly.'
The outbreak in Calabria is the second deadly case of botulism in Italy in just a few days. A 38-year-old woman died in late July after eating tainted guacamole sauce at a festival in Sardinia. Seven other people suffered acute food poisoning.
'Following two major clusters of botulinum intoxication that occurred in recent weeks in Sardinia and Calabria, the Department of Prevention, Research and Health Emergencies of the Ministry of Health immediately activated all the health protocols,' the health ministry said.
'The intervention system reacted promptly, ensuring that patients had timely access to life-saving antidote treatments.'
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