WRITTEN QUESTION P-2581/96 by Spalato Belleré (NI) to the Commission (24 September 1996)

Subject: Botulism in Italy

Botulism was hitherto virtually unknown in Italy. The cases which have emerged to date were caused by preserved or tinned foods produced by non-industrial methods and not by products made with or from milk, the apparent cause of the occurrences now being recorded. Alarm has been expressed (although there is as yet no talk of an epidemic) in the southern Italian regions which have been supplied with dairy products by one of the oldest-established companies in Europe.

Does the Commission not believe that it should arrange for an epidemiological and toxicological survey to be carried out, over and above the steps already being taken by the Member State concerned? Does it not believe that it should encourage research into botulin (the Eastern European countries, especially Russia, could be of assistance, for they have been affected by numerous cases of botulism caused by excessive consumption of tinned food), since there is some suspicion that the toxin involved is a variant which thrives in a new kind of breeding ground, though still in the absence of oxygen?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (15 November 1996)

The information available to the Commission indicates, as at 2 October 1996, seven cases of botulism, three of which were confirmed by the detection of toxin produced by clostridium botulinum, type A. The food poisoning is linked to the consumption of mascarpone cheese wrapped in cling-foil. It was notified by the Italian authorities to the Commission and the countries importing this type of product. The Commission sent two experts there to take part in the investigation into the product concerned. The preliminary results of the investigation were presented to the Standing Veterinary Committee, which agreed that the measures taken by the Italian health authorities were sufficient to ensure the immediate safety of consumers and that there was no need to take additional measures. As regards the epidemiological aspects, the Instituto Superiore di Sanità (higher institute of health) in Rome is currently leading the investigation. The Commission is continuing to monitor this case and will notify the final conclusions to all the bodies concerned.

Cases of botulism linked to dairy products are rare but have occurred in the past with cheeses or yoghurts. The present case appears to have been caused by a one-off accident on one day of production and by an interruption of the cold chain during distribution. These points will have to be confirmed by the final report of the epidemiological investigation. The cases of botulism in Russia referred to by the Honourable Member are mainly due to the serious shortcomings in the preserving industry of that country, as brought to light by a mission of Commission experts.

Botulism is not a zoonosis, which is why the legislative instruments developed in this area do not apply to the control of this disease. However, the Commission shares the Honourable Member's view about the need to develop cooperation concerning the diagnosis and monitoring of botulism, and the diseases communicable by food consumption in general. In this connection, a scientific and technical analysis of resources in the areas of the monitoring and control of communicable diseases, and an inventory of these resources and capacities, are currently being produced. Moreover, through the programme on AIDS and other communicable diseases, the Commission is supporting the establishment of networks for monitoring and controlling communicable diseases in the Community.