NAS Seizes 674 Kilos of Preserves at Risk of Botulism in Bologna Area

Bologna: NAS health and hygiene police on Tuesday seized 674 kilograms of preserves at risk of causing botulism from a farm in the Bologna area. They found hundreds of reused glass jars, some still dirty, ready to be refilled, as well as numerous containers of homemade jams, unlabeled and non-compliant.

According to Ansa News Agency, over 1,500 jars and bottles of jams and fruit juices were discovered, mostly unlabeled and dating back to 2010, 2012, and 2018. The NAS of Bologna conducted this inspection at a farm active in the production and sale of jams and fruit juices.

The inspection was part of the “Quiet Summer 2025” food safety and prevention campaign, ordered by the Carabinieri Health Protection Command in Rome. This campaign has intensified following recent cases of botulism across Italy, which resulted in five deaths and numerous hospitalizations.

Inspectors found the pasteurization procedures at the Bologna-based company to be completely inadequate, failing to guarantee the safety of the preserves and exposing consumers to botulinum toxin. The processing and storage areas were found in unsanitary conditions, with dirt, dust, cobwebs, and guano present.

Outside the facility, officers observed the preparation of tomato puree in a rusty copper pot, fueled by discarded pallet wood. As a result of the inspection, the Carabinieri administratively seized 674 kilograms of jams and fruit juices, valued at over £15,000.

The Local Health Authority was informed of the findings and ordered the immediate suspension of the production, storage, and trade of canned food, estimated to be worth approximately £150,000. For the violations found, administrative fines totaling £4,500 were imposed.