In a tragic incident in southwest Italy, two people died and 14 others, including two teenagers, were hospitalized after consuming paninis filled with sausage and turnip tops from a food truck. This marks the second botulism outbreak in Italy in less than a month. The victims, Luigi di Sarno, 52, and Tamara D’Acunto, 45, passed away within two days of eating the contaminated food. Additionally, 14 other individuals were hospitalized due to food poisoning.
Di Sarno, a professional artist, was initially discharged from the hospital despite expressing discomfort. He later died, as confirmed by his sister. All the victims had eaten sandwiches from a food truck situated near the town of Diamante in Calabria, a region that extends across the toe of Italy’s boot. The authorities are currently investigating the botulism outbreak.
Each victim had ordered the same meal: a panini filled with grilled sausage and cime di rapa, also known as turnip tops in English. The food truck, owned by 33-year-old Giuseppe Santonocito, and his three employees who allegedly prepared the contaminated paninis, are under investigation.
Officials have ordered a nationwide seizure of the commercially produced panini, and are also examining other products sold at the truck. Santonocito had purchased the produce used in the paninis in late July, and only had enough to make “six or seven” sandwiches before they ran out, according to his lawyer.
D’Acunto died shortly after consuming a panini bought from the food truck in southwest Italy. Santonocito, who has been working in the food sector for approximately nine years and is well-regarded, is reportedly devastated. His lawyer stated that Santonocito believes the contamination was already present in the products he served.
Five doctors from two different hospitals who treated the victims are also under investigation for allegedly not diagnosing the patients quickly enough. Botulism, a bacterial infection, is often associated with food poisoning. In severe cases, it can lead to muscle paralysis and even death.
In late July, another botulism outbreak in Sardinia, an island west of Italy’s mainland, resulted in the death of a woman who consumed spoiled guacamole at a festival. Seven others, including an 11-year-old boy, were treated for food poisoning. Following the dual outbreaks, Italy’s Ministry of Health activated all health protocols to ensure patients had timely access to life-saving antidote treatments.