A 52-year-old man has died in Italy after consuming a broccoli and sausage sandwich suspected to be contaminated with botulism toxin. The victim, identified as Luigi Di Sarno, fell ill while driving his family home from a holiday in Calabria.
Authorities have ordered a nationwide recall of broccoli after nine others were hospitalised with similar symptoms, all linked to the same street vendor in Diamante, southern Italy. Among those hospitalised were two women in their 40s and two 17-year-olds, with two patients in serious condition in intensive care.
Health officials suspect botulism, a rare but potentially fatal toxin caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The toxin attacks the nervous system, leading to breathing difficulties and muscle paralysis, and is fatal in about 10% of cases. Local media reports that jars of broccoli in oil from the vendor have been seized for investigation.
Mr Di Sarno, an artist and musician, was driving his family back to Cercola near Naples when he rapidly fell ill near Lagonegro. He pulled over but died before reaching hospital. An autopsy is pending. The food van where the sandwiches were prepared has also been seized as part of the investigation.
This incident follows a recent botulism outbreak in Sardinia, where eight people were hospitalised after eating contaminated guacamole at a festival. Health officials have activated emergency procedures, including sourcing antitoxin serum from the national poison control centre in Pavia.
