Italy seeks stricter raw‑milk cheese labeling after 3‑year‑old's death

A three‑year‑old Italian boy, Elia, died in 2024 after consuming raw‑milk cheese that caused a severe bacterial infection and hemolytic‑uremic syndrome, leading to multi‑organ failure and a series of surgeries.

Elia’s parents, Sonia Gerelli and Marco Damonte, testified before the Senate on behalf of their association “Il Trenino di Elia ODV”. They urged the passage of a bill drafted with Senator Lorenzo Basso that would require clear, prominent warnings on raw‑milk cheese products. The proposal, introduced two years ago, remains stalled with no government response, prompting the parents to demand its activation to prevent further tragedies.