Da Peppino food truck reopens in Diamante, Italy after botulism tragedy

The "Da Peppino" food truck in the coastal town of Diamante is set to resume operations on Friday, 31 July. Owner Giuseppe Santonocito will replace the seized red truck that was linked to a deadly botulism outbreak in August 2025 with a new white vehicle.

The revamped menu will eliminate oil‑preserved products, focusing on fresh sandwiches made with tomatoes, provola cheese and potatoes, all subject to stricter safety checks. The original outbreak, caused by Clostridium botulinum, prompted a judicial seizure of the red truck and a police investigation by the Paola prosecutor’s office, which is still determining whether the toxin originated in the production process or from improper storage.

The reopening marks the first service since the tragedy, which drew large numbers of curious onlookers to the confiscated truck and remains a focal point of local health and legal scrutiny.