Man dies after eating broccoli sandwich as health officials launch major recall
The other victims, said to include two teenagers, were all taken to the intensive care unit of Annunziata Hospital in the town. Those needing treatment are understood to include members of tragic Mr Di Sarno's family, with two of the patients reportedly still in a very serious condition.
It comes amid a growing botulism outbreak caused by the toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, Mirror UK reports. There are as-yet unconfirmed reports that a 38-year-old woman has died after she ate a taco with guacamole at a kiosk at the festival in the Cagliari. The country is on high alert after the Paola Public Prosecutor's Office demanding an 'immediate seizure of a commercial product'.
Calabria Region's Department of Health and Welfare said: "The emergency procedure established in these cases has been activated, which requires immediate notification to the Poison Control Center in Pavia, the only national centre designated for the management of botulism.
"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.
"The first two vials, used for the first patients, were sent directly from the Military Pharmacy in Taranto. However, as the number of cases increased, additional supplies became necessary.
"Yesterday, the Calabria Region, through Azienda Zero, provided a 118 aircraft that flew to the San Camillo Hospital in Rome, where the ministry had centralised additional vials of the antivenom to facilitate distribution."
A friend of Mr Di Sarno paid tribute to him on social media. They wrote: "The world loses once again a beautiful person, leaving a void in all those who truly cared for him. We had rare encounters in recent times but mutual respect never waned, we had a beer pending and many stories to share. It will be for another world, rest in peace!"
The infected broccoli comes days after eight people are said to have fell ill with botulism after eating infected guacamole at a festival in Sardinia late last month. A boy, 11, remains in intensive care at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome after being rushed by helicopter from Cagliari.
The mayor of Diamante, Achille Ordine, asks not to 'create panic' following the outbreak as the Public Prosecutor's Office of Paola investigating. The ASP of Cosenza has placed a health block on the activity 'as a precautionary measure'.
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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Woman dies after eating 'toxic broccoli' in poisoning that has rocked Italy
A woman has died after becoming the latest victim after eating 'toxic broccoli' in a poisoning that has rocked Italy. A terrifying botulism outbreak claimed the life of Tamara D'Acunto, 45, who died shortly after eating a panini. She purchased her lunch from a food truck in southwest Italy, and was rushed to hospital but she couldn't recover. It is the second death following the consumption of the 'contaminated' vegetable. Last week, Artist and musician Luigi Di Sarno, 52, collapsed and died after buying a broccoli and sausage sandwich on the Diamante seafront in the province of Cosenza. It comes after a waiter sat down to eat cheese during his break, and moments later he was dying. Eight others were rushed to hospital, including members of Mr Di Sarno's family. Broccoli has been recalled across Italy following the outbreak and the food truck where the sandwiches were made has also been seized. It comes amid a growing botulism outbreak caused by the toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The country is on high alert after the Paola Public Prosecutor's Office demanding an 'immediate seizure of a commercial product'. Calabria Region's Department of Health and Welfare issued a statement following the death of Mr Di Sarno last Thursday. It read: "The emergency procedure established in these cases has been activated, which requires immediate notification to the Poison Control Center in Pavia, the only national centre designated for the management of botulism. "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. "The first two vials, used for the first patients, were sent directly from the Military Pharmacy in Taranto. However, as the number of cases increased, additional supplies became necessary. "Yesterday, the Calabria Region, through Azienda Zero, provided a 118 aircraft that flew to the San Camillo Hospital in Rome, where the ministry had centralised additional vials of the antivenom to facilitate distribution." What is botulism? Botulism is a serious, potentially fatal illness triggered by a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. Although rare, only around 1,000 cases reported globally each year, it can lead to muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, and even death if untreated. Symptoms typically begin 12 to 72 hours after exposure and may include blurred vision, slurred speech, muscle weakness, and fatigue. Early intervention with antitoxin and supportive care like mechanical ventilation is critical. How to avoid botulism? 1. Be cautious with oils, herbs and low-acid food Botulism can thrive in low-acid environments like homemade oils infused with herbs or vegetables - especially when stored at room temperature. Always refrigerate such products and use them within four days. 2. Reject suspicious canned goods Never consume food from bulging, dented, or leaking cans and jars. Even items without obvious spoilage can hide invisible, deadly toxins. 3. Use proper pressure canning techniques If you make your own preserves, especially with low-acid foods like vegetables and meats, always use a pressure canner, not a boiling-water bath. Pressure canning reaches temperatures high enough to destroy botulinum spores. 4. Acidify when can canning tomatoes Tomatoes vary in acidity and may not always be safe. To ensure they're preserved safely, add bottled lemon juice or citric acid so the pH stays at or below 4.6. Serious Eats 5. Heat everything thoroughly Botulinum toxin can be destroyed by heating food to above 85C for at least five minutes. This is especially important for home-canned low-acid foods. 6. Refrigerate promptly and store safely Never leave perishable food at room temperature for longer than two hours, or one hour in hot conditions (above 32C). Maintain refrigeration at 4C or below. Botulinum toxin cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, and even the smallest amount can be deadly. If you have any doubt about the safety of a food item, don't sample it - discard it immediately.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Two people dead in Italy and over a dozen in hospital after botulism outbreak in 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. 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.'
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man dies after eating broccoli sandwich as health officials launch major recall
A man has died and nine other people have been hospitalised in Italy after they ate a sandwich which contained 'contaminated' broccoli, with a mass recall now underway. Artist and musician Luigi Di Sarno, 52, collapsed and couldn't be saved after buying a broccoli and sausage sandwich from food truck on the Diamante seafront in the province of Cosenza. The other victims, said to include two teenagers, were all taken to the intensive care unit of Annunziata Hospital in the town. Those needing treatment are understood to include members of tragic Mr Di Sarno's family, with two of the patients reportedly still in a very serious condition. It comes amid a growing botulism outbreak caused by the toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, Mirror UK reports. There are as-yet unconfirmed reports that a 38-year-old woman has died after she ate a taco with guacamole at a kiosk at the festival in the Cagliari. The country is on high alert after the Paola Public Prosecutor's Office demanding an 'immediate seizure of a commercial product'. Calabria Region's Department of Health and Welfare said: "The emergency procedure established in these cases has been activated, which requires immediate notification to the Poison Control Center in Pavia, the only national centre designated for the management of botulism. "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. "The first two vials, used for the first patients, were sent directly from the Military Pharmacy in Taranto. However, as the number of cases increased, additional supplies became necessary. "Yesterday, the Calabria Region, through Azienda Zero, provided a 118 aircraft that flew to the San Camillo Hospital in Rome, where the ministry had centralised additional vials of the antivenom to facilitate distribution." A friend of Mr Di Sarno paid tribute to him on social media. They wrote: "The world loses once again a beautiful person, leaving a void in all those who truly cared for him. We had rare encounters in recent times but mutual respect never waned, we had a beer pending and many stories to share. It will be for another world, rest in peace!" The infected broccoli comes days after eight people are said to have fell ill with botulism after eating infected guacamole at a festival in Sardinia late last month. A boy, 11, remains in intensive care at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome after being rushed by helicopter from Cagliari. The mayor of Diamante, Achille Ordine, asks not to 'create panic' following the outbreak as the Public Prosecutor's Office of Paola investigating. The ASP of Cosenza has placed a health block on the activity 'as a precautionary measure'. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
