A woman has become the second person to die after consuming a "toxic" sandwich as authorities scramble to recall certain vegetables.
The disturbing series of events occurred in Calabria, Italy, where two people tragically died, and more than a dozen others have been hospitalized after consuming sandwiches contaminated with botulism, per the Sun.
The victims ate from a food truck near the town of Diamante, where the sandwiches were made with turnip greens— a vegetable similar to broccoli.
Tamara D'Acunto, 45, passed away shortly after eating a sausage and turnip top sandwich from the food truck, marking the second death linked to the incident, per Italian news outlet ANSA.
She died on August 6, and her funeral took place the following day. Just days earlier, Luigi Di Sarno, 52, succumbed to the same fate after eating from the same vendor, per ITV.
His family, including two 17-year-olds and two women in their 40s, also fell ill and were rushed to the Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza.
In total, 17 people have been hospitalized, with 14 still receiving treatment. Five are in critical condition in the ICU.
Symptoms pointed to botulism, a rare but potentially fatal condition caused by toxins produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
Local authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident, with nine individuals - including the food truck owner and employees - currently under investigation for their roles.
The investigation into the contaminated sandwiches has led authorities to seize the products believed to be responsible, including jars of broccoli in oil, which are suspected to have contained the botulism toxin.
The Paola Public Prosecutor's Office has also ordered the seizure of all similar products, and multiple companies involved in the product's manufacture are under scrutiny.
The botulism toxin can attack the nervous system, causing paralysis and, in some cases, leading to death.
It is often associated with improperly processed food, and in this case, the botulism contamination likely occurred due to improper handling or storage of the sandwiches.
“This is an incredibly rare and dangerous situation,” explained a spokesperson for the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), who confirmed that botulism was present in the samples taken from the hospitalized victims.
“We are working quickly to trace the source of the contamination and prevent further harm.”
This tragedy follows a similar incident just weeks earlier in Sardinia, where eight people fell ill after eating tacos filled with suspected botulism-contaminated guacamole.
One woman, aged 38, died from the same toxin, and an 11-year-old boy was flown to Rome for treatment after eating the tainted dip.
In both incidents, the authorities have flown in vials of "antitoxin serum" to treat those affected, as botulism requires immediate intervention with this serum to prevent serious harm or death.
The serum is only available through designated secure locations managed by Italy’s Ministry of Health and is distributed by the Lombardy Poison Control Centre.
Botulism, while rare, can be extremely dangerous.
The CDC warns that foodborne botulism often results from improperly canned, preserved, or fermented foods.
Though it’s more commonly associated with homemade foods, store-bought items can also be contaminated with the toxin. Symptoms of botulism can include difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and, in severe cases, death.
Despite these unsettling incidents, the local health departments are urging the public not to panic. Authorities have activated an emergency procedure to handle the botulism cases, and while investigations continue, they are focused on containing the outbreak and ensuring public safety.
Local officials and the food truck's lawyer, Francesco Liserre, have both insisted that the sandwiches sold were kept in the refrigerator and only opened when needed.
Liserre further stressed that his client believes the contamination may have occurred before the products were sold.