The 60 guests at a tourist resort experienced symptoms consistent with botulinum food poisoning after eating a meal of hot dogs and chips at the resort’s restaurant
Over 60 holidaymakers at a popular tourist resort in Nicotera Marina, Calabria, have been struck down with botulism poisoning, with five in serious condition in hospital. The guests fell ill after consuming hot dogs and chips at the resort’s restaurant.
Among those affected were several tourists from Naples and Caserta. The main symptoms reported included vomiting and diarrhoea.
The Anti-Adulteration and Health Unit (NAS) of the Carabinieri intervened on site and ordered the precautionary closure of the restaurant.
Several children were also among those who fell ill. The alarm was raised when multiple guests began to show symptoms in quick succession.
In addition to closing the restaurant, the Carabinieri also seized over 300 kilograms of food.
Food samples were sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine any possible liability, according to Il Fatto.
The Carabinieri closed the kitchen, conducted initial investigations, and destroyed the stored food. Among the foods to be analysed are some frankfurters, which were part of the meal after which the illness occurred.
Just a few weeks ago in Cosenza, contaminated food from a food truck resulted in the death of two people and seven others being hospitalised due to the toxin.
Giuseppe Marasco, mayor of Nicotera, said on Facebook: “Best wishes for a speedy recovery to all those involved in this sad incident.
“However, it should be noted and clarified that this event in no way concerns any of the restaurants in our area, which are freely accessible. The restaurants in our community are renowned for their commitment to food safety and the quality of the products they offer. Every establishment is subject to rigorous checks to ensure compliance with high standards of hygiene and safety.
“I invite you to continue to visit our restaurants, which are an essential part of our culinary culture and tradition. Your trust is essential to supporting our sector and continuing to promote the excellence of our gastronomy.”
Back in August, several comparable incidents occurred across the nation.
Just days ago in Formia, along the Lazio coastline, ten holidaymakers aged between 50 and 60 became unwell after dining at a seaside resort.
Even more alarming were the botulism poisoning cases that grabbed headlines earlier in the month.
Around a week ago, reports emerged of the death of Valeria Sollai, a 62 year old woman who passed away at Policlinico di Monserrato hospital in the province of Cagliari, where she had been receiving treatment for weeks in intensive care. Sollai had attended and eaten guacamole-based dishes at the Fiesta Latina in Monserrato.
On 8 August, 36 year old Roberta Pitzalis also died after being poisoned by the bacterium during the same event. And even earlier, in Calabria, Luigi Di Sarno also died from botulism.
In his case, the “culprit” food was a sandwich with broccoli and sausage.