An investigation has been launched after a woman died from suspected food poisoning following a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Valencia.
Maria Jesus Fernandez Calvo, 46, suffered vomiting and diarrhoea after eating at the southern Spanish city’s Riff restaurant with her family on Saturday night. She died early the following morning.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Officials have tracked down 75 people who ate at the restaurant between 13 and 16 February, and learned that a total of 29 had subsequently experienced food poisoning symptoms, the BBC reports.
Samples of dishes served as part of a tasting menu that Calvo ate have now been sent to Spain’s National Toxicology Institute for analysis, says The Guardian.
According to news site The Local, health authorities “are exploring whether a morel mushroom risotto is the cause of the outbreak”. Investigators believe the dish may have “mistakenly included a highly toxic funghi that looks similar to a morel”, known as a “false morel”, the site adds.
“With the exception of the person who died, all those who fell ill have shown light symptoms – mainly vomiting,” the regional health authority said in a statement yesterday. “We’ve conducted a primary inspection of the establishment and everything appears to be normal. Analytical tests will now be carried out on the food products.”
Riff owner and head chef Bernd H. Knoller has announced that the “restaurant will remain closed until the causes of what happened are established” and “activities can resume with full assurances for the staff and the patrons”.
-
‘How can I know these words originated in their heart and not some data center in northern Virginia?’instant opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Can Trump deliver a farmer bailout in time?Today's Big Question Planting decisions and food prices hang in the balance
-
Tips for seizing control of your digital well-beingThe Week Recommends A handy mix of technology and self-motivation
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Israel and the Gaza flotillaThe Explainer Activists fear loss of life after blaming Israel for drone attacks on ships
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Rise of the far-right: what’s behind the popularity of Vox in Spain?The Explainer Disillusioned younger voters are being drawn to Santiago Abascal’s party
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
