Italian health officials have ordered a nationwide recall of broccoli after a man died and nine others were hospitalized in a suspected botulism outbreak. The illness is linked to a street food vendor.
The victim, 52-year-old artist and musician Luigi Di Sarno, is believed to have eaten a contaminated broccoli and sausage sandwich while traveling home from vacation with his family.
What Happened
On Thursday, Di Sarno and his family stopped at a food truck on the seafront in Diamante, in southern Italy’s Cosenza province. They ordered broccoli and sausage sandwiches. Shortly after they started driving again, near the town of Lagonegro, Di Sarno became seriously ill. He pulled over in Basilicata, but died before reaching the hospital.
Others Sickened
Nine people who ate at the same food truck were also hospitalized, including some of Di Sarno’s family, two teenagers, and two women in their 40s. All were admitted to the intensive care unit at Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza. Two are in critical condition.
Other Cases in Italy
The incident comes just weeks after a botulism outbreak in Sardinia. Eight people were hospitalized after eating guacamole at a Mexican food stand during the Fiesta Latin festival in Monserrato in late July. A 38-year-old woman died, and an 11-year-old boy was flown to Rome for treatment.
What Is Botulism?
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by toxins from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. These toxins attack the nervous system, causing breathing problems, muscle paralysis, and sometimes death.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that botulism can happen after eating contaminated food. While it is most common in improperly canned or fermented homemade foods, store-bought items can also be affected.
