The botulism poisoning outbreak in Calabria has resulted in two fatalities and fifteen hospitalizations at Cosenza’s hospital, with one additional patient admitted recently. Prosecutors in Paola are investigating ten individuals—including six physicians—amid findings that multiple contaminated foods caused the crisis, not solely the turnip greens used in sandwiches sold by a Diamante street vendor.
Italy’s Health Ministry has recalled two brands of turnip greens (“Bel Sapore” and “Vittoria”) from a Salerno-based producer over contamination risks. The Superior Health Institute confirmed botulism traces in multiple foods, attributing the spread to a single kitchen utensil in the vendor’s food truck that contaminated all ingredients—a theory contested by the vendor’s lawyer, who maintains products were refrigerated and unexposed to sunlight.
Among those investigated are the vendor, three food production managers, and six doctors from Cosenza-area facilities who treated the deceased victims—Luigi di Sarno, 52, and Tamara D’Acunto, 45. Charges include involuntary manslaughter, negligent injury, and selling harmful food substances. Autopsies for the Calabrian victims are scheduled Tuesday, while a separate botulism death in Cagliari (linked to guacamole at a local eatery) was confirmed to involve hemorrhagic pneumonia.
Fifteen patients remain hospitalized in Cosenza: five in intensive care, three in pediatrics, and seven in general medicine. Conditions are stable. Diamante’s mayor assured the outbreak is “contained,” urging visitors: “There is no current danger.”
Health advisory: Italian hygiene experts warn consumers to discard any food showing gas buildup or container swelling and avoid tasting suspected items.*
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