Marco Sacco will have to pay 20,000 euros and spend two months and twenty-one days in prison for serving food in poor condition that caused serious food poisoning
A scandal shakes the world of Italian gastronomy. Renowned chef Marco Sacco, who has three Michelin stars spread over several of his restaurants, has received a sentence of two months and twenty-one days in prison for poisoning 53 guests at a wedding with raw and spoiled clams. In addition, he will have to pay compensation of 20,000 euros to those affected, among whom is the couple celebrating their wedding.
A risotto with borage and raw clams, the cause of the poisoning
The events date back to 2021, when Sacco served a plate of risotto with borage and raw clams at a wedding held at the Piccolo Lago in Mergozzo, one of the most exclusive wedding venues in northern Italy, located at the foot of the Alps. Shortly after eating, the guests began to feel unwell, with symptoms including vomiting, nausea, stomach ache and other signs of food poisoning. In total, 53 people were affected, including the newlyweds, who reported the case to the Carabinieri.
A norovirus, the germ responsible for gastroenteritis
Italian police opened an investigation and determined that the cause of the poisoning was norovirus, a germ found in some raw or undercooked foods that is responsible for most cases of food poisoning gastroenteritis. The norovirus was detected in the clams that Sacco served, which he said he bought already contaminated and prepared as the label indicated, without cooking them.
A sentence that could be appealed
Last Friday, a court in Verbania handed down a sentence and sentenced the chef to two months and twenty-one days in prison and to a compensation of 20,000 euros: 4,000 euros for each of the bride and groom and 250 for each intoxicated guest . Sacco’s defense alleged that the chef had no responsibility in the incident and that he had been serving raw clams since 2015 without any problems. However, the judge found that the chef had acted negligently and had put the health of his customers at risk. It is not yet known whether Sacco will appeal the sentence or not.
