Toxic Broccoli" Outbreak in Italy Claims Two Lives

A 45-year-old woman, Tamara D'Acunto, has died after consuming a panini from a food truck in southwest Italy. The panini is believed to be linked to a botulism outbreak. Despite receiving medical attention, she succumbed to the poisoning. This marks the second fatality associated with the consumption of the contaminated vegetable.

The first victim was 52-year-old artist and musician, Luigi Di Sarno, who died last week after eating a broccoli and sausage sandwich. His death followed a similar incident where a waiter died shortly after eating cheese.

In addition to the deaths, eight other individuals, including members of Mr. Di Sarno's family, were hospitalized. In response to the outbreak, a nationwide recall of broccoli has been initiated, and the food truck where the sandwiches were prepared has been seized.

The outbreak is particularly concerning due to its connection to botulism, a serious illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Italy is currently on high alert.

The Paola Public Prosecutor's Office has ordered the immediate seizure of a commercial product. Following Mr. Di Sarno's death, the Calabria Region's Department of Health and Welfare issued a statement. The statement outlined the emergency procedures in place, including notification to the Poison Control Center in Pavia, the designated national center for botulism management. The antivenom is exclusively held by the Ministry of Health and distributed through the Lombardy Poison Control Centre.