An urgent recall has been issued in England for a pasta topping after the dangerous bacterium Clostridium botulinum was detected in some products from a specific batch. La Sovrana has recalled its jars of Vittoria Friarielli alla Napoletana, a broccoli in sunflower oil product, on August 28.
The affected batch carries the code 280325 and a best before date of 23 March 2028. Both the company and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have advised consumers not to eat the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum toxins, which are among the most lethal substances known, according to the World Health Organization. Botulism is a serious form of food poisoning that can be fatal, and the FSA has warned that symptoms may include feeling sick, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea or constipation, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, facial muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and breathing difficulties.
Symptoms typically develop within 4 hours to 8 days after ingestion, often appearing within 12 to 36 hours. While botulism is rare, it is a medical emergency due to the high risk of paralysis and death if untreated. Public health authorities advise anyone who has consumed the product and has concerns to seek urgent healthcare advice, such as visiting their GP or calling NHS 111.
The recall follows four recent deaths linked to botulism in Italy, including two individuals who had consumed friarielli and sausage sandwiches from a food vendor in Calabria. A cluster involving 18 people was reported in Diamante, Cosenza province, during the first week of August.
