Latest news with #TamaraDAcunto
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Second botulism death linked to food truck sandwich
Two people have died in Italy from botulism after consuming contaminated broccoli and sausage sandwiches from a food truck in Diamante, Calabria. The victims, Tamara D'Acunto, 45, and Luigi Di Sarno, 52, both succumbed to the rare, life-threatening disease, with over 17 other people hospitalised. Authorities have seized broccoli jars from the food truck business as part of their investigation into the outbreak. Separately, a 38-year-old woman died in Cagliari, Sardinia, after eating contaminated guacamole from a festival stand, with an 11-year-old boy also remaining in hospital from the same incident. Italian authorities are investigating both botulism outbreaks and have issued warnings for the public to exercise caution with certain foods.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Second person dies after eating broccoli sandwiches amid botulism outbreak
Two people have died after eating contaminated broccoli and sausage sandwiches from a food truck in Italy, according to reports. Tamara D'Acunto, 45, and musician Luigi Di Sarno, 52, both died after suffering from botulism after buying the sandwich from a kiosk in Diamante, Calabria, in southern Italy. The rare and life-threatening disease is caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria which attack the nervous system. More than 17 people have been hospitalised, with the Public Prosecutors Office seizing broccoli jars from the business, according to local media reports. Other cases have also been noted in Italy. La Repubblica reports that Ms D'Acunto was a regular at the Peppino's truck, run by 33-year-old Giuseppe Santonocito, who has been operating the stall selling sandwiches for nine years - including the one containing sausage and broccoli. Mr Di Sarno was driving home from a holiday with his family in Calabria when they stopped to eat in Diamante, where he consumed the deadly sandwich. According to the NHS, food-borne botulism can occur when someone 'eats food containing the toxins because it has not been properly canned, preserved or cooked'. It can also emerge as a result of infected wounds, usually a result of 'injecting illegal drugs like heroin contaminated with the bacteria into muscle rather than a vein', the NHS says. Botulism becomes fatal when the attack on the nervous system causes paralysis. While most people make a full recovery, the paralysis can spread to muscles which control breathing, which is fatal in around five to 10 per cent of cases. Elsewhere in Italy, a 38-year-old woman died due to botulism poisoning after eating guacamole from a festival stand in Cagliary, Sardinia, according to La Repubblica. Roberta Pitzalis' condition had appeared to stabilise before it suddenly deteriorated last week, the outlet reported. An 11-year-old boy who also ate a taco with guacamole at the festival remains in hospital. Authorities in Cagliari are investigating the outbreak and warning people to exercise caution when buying risky foods.
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Woman, 45, becomes second person to die after eating ‘toxic broccoli' as 17 others poisoned as veg recalled across Italy
A WOMAN has become the second person to die after eating a toxic broccoli and sausage sandwich in Italy. At least 17 other people have been hospitalised after eating the sandwiches from a food truck near the town of Diamante in Calabria. 2 2 Tamara D'Acunto, 45, died shortly after eating the panini. It comes aftr Luigi Di Sarno, 52, died on Thursday after taking a fatal bite from a sandwich bought from the same vendor. .
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Two die in Italy after eating sausage and turnip top sandwiches
Two people have died and more than a dozen have been taken to hospital after eating toxic sandwiches filled with sausages and turnip greens in Italy. 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.'
