More than 200 children fell sick in Italy after eating school meals this past month. A total of 224 cases of salmonellosis were reported following an outbreak in some school canteens served by Qualità&Servizi. Farro with pomodorini (cherry) tomatoes and pesto provided on Sept.
24 was behind the Salmonella poisoning among students of certain schools in the province of Florence. Almost all cases are from Sesto Fiorentino and Campi Bisenzio, with 100 and 92 patients, respectively. There were 26 hospitalized people.
A total of 61 cases were recorded in nurseries, 51 in kindergartens, 106 in primary schools, and four in secondary schools. Also, 21 Qualità&Servizi operators tested positive, although almost all cases were asymptomatic. Simone Bezzini, a health counselor in Tuscany, revealed the information in response to a question by Marco Landi, a regional councilor and spokesperson for the opposition.
Response from authorities and company In late September, the Tuscany Local Health Unit (USL) reported that investigations and inspections to identify the origin of cases had been started. Controls included a hygienic and sanitary assessment of the facility that prepared the suspect meals and the taking of food samples. During the investigations, no non-conformities were found that would require suspension of the school canteen service.
Nineteen tests were carried out on food and six on water, with one positive for Salmonella in a sample of farro with pesto and pomodorini. It bel.
