In Italy, a severe outbreak of botulism in the regions of Calabria and Sardinia has caused great concern. Four people have died after eating contaminated food, and numerous others have had to be hospitalized. The Italian authorities have taken immediate measures to contain the spread of dangerous food poisoning.

In the tourist town of Diamante, in the province of Cosenza (Calabria), two people, a 52-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman, died after eating sandwiches with broccoli and sausage bought at a food truck. Initial investigations revealed that canned broccoli stored in oil were the source of the contamination. The bacterium Clostridium botulinum produced the highly toxic botulinum toxin in the oxygen-poor environment, which is responsible for the poisoning. A total of 18 people fell ill in Calabria, six of whom had to be treated in intensive care units, and two remain in critical condition.

Another outbreak occurred in Cagliari, Sardinia, where a 38-year-old woman died after eating a guacamole sauce at a popular festival in late July. Here, too, contaminated broccoli was identified as the cause. Eight other people, including an eleven-year-old child, were admitted to hospitals with symptoms of poisoning, some of them in serious condition. A fourth death was recently confirmed, further growing concern in Italy.

Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by the neurotoxin botulinum toxin. Symptoms usually occur 12 to 36 hours after consumption and include nausea, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing and progressive paralysis, which can lead to respiratory arrest in severe cases. The Italian Ministry of Health immediately activated emergency protocols to provide those affected with antitoxin that can neutralize the toxin in the blood, provided it is administered in time. The affected broccoli product has been withdrawn from sale nationwide, and canned oil is now subject to stricter controls.

The public prosecutor’s office has opened investigations against the operator of the food truck in Diamante as well as against suppliers and doctors of a private clinic in Belvedere Marittimo, as symptoms were not recognized as botulism in time. The consumer protection association Codacons is also considering a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer. Experts point out that improper preservation, especially in the case of homemade or inadequately sterilized products, is the main cause of botulism in Italy. With about 40 cases per year, Italy has the highest incidence in Europe, due to the widespread tradition of food preservation.

The authorities appeal to the population not to consume suspicious canned food, especially those with domed lids or gas leaks, and to heat food sufficiently before consumption. The current cases highlight the dangers of improperly stored or processed food and the need for strict hygiene standards in food production.

Further information:

RKI – Botulism (Clostridium botulinum) – Botulism (Clostridium botulinum)

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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