A second person has died after consuming a contaminated broccoli sandwich purchased from a food truck in southern Italy. Tamara D’Acunto, 45, died shortly after eating a panini she bought from a mobile vendor in the Calabria region. She was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
Her death follows that of Luigi Di Sarno, 52, an artist and musician, who collapsed and died last week after eating a broccoli and sausage sandwich bought on the Diamante seafront in the province of Cosenza. Eight other people, including members of Mr Di Sarno's family, have been hospitalised.
The outbreak has been linked to botulism, a serious illness caused by toxins produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Italian authorities have recalled broccoli products across the country and seized the food truck where the sandwiches were made.
The Paola Public Prosecutor's Office has demanded the immediate seizure of the commercial product involved. The Calabria Region's Department of Health and Welfare said emergency procedures had been activated, including notification to the national Poison Control Centre in Pavia, the only centre authorised to distribute botulism antivenom.
Botulism can cause muscle paralysis and respiratory failure if untreated. Symptoms typically appear 12 to 72 hours after exposure and include blurred vision, slurred speech, and muscle weakness. Health officials have urged the public to discard any suspect food and to ensure home preserves are made safely.
