NAS health police have seized 674 kilogrammes of preserves at risk of causing botulism from a farm near Bologna.
The inspection uncovered over 1,500 jars and bottles of jams and fruit juices, many unlabeled and dating back to 2010, 2012, and 2018. Officers found reused glass jars – some still dirty – ready for refilling, along with homemade preserves that did not meet safety standards.
The checks were part of the “Quiet Summer 2025” food safety campaign, intensified after recent botulism cases in Italy that left five dead and many hospitalised.
At the site, officers reported unhygienic conditions with dirt, cobwebs, and guano in production and storage areas. Outside, tomato puree was being prepared in a rusty copper pot over discarded pallet wood.
The NAS also found inadequate pasteurisation procedures, which they said could not guarantee food safety and left consumers exposed to botulinum toxin.
In total, officers seized products worth over €15,000. The Local Health Authority suspended production, storage, and trade of canned foods, valued at around €150,000.
For the violations, the farm received administrative fines of €4,500.
