Grandma Poisons Family with 25 Years Expired Hot Cocoa Packets; Accident But Charged with Causing Injury

A 77-year-old Italian grandmother was charged with neglect after accidentally poisoning herself and her family with hot chocolate packets that have been expired for 25 years. The incident made three children and two adults ill, and were reportedly sent to the emergency room.

The grandmother was identified as Mrs. Rosetta from the town of Vicenza, north east of Italy, according to the Inquisitr. The hot chocolate was made at the request of her grandchildren and her friend. She made a cup for them, as well as for the adults.

It was reported by Daily Mail that not long after the hot beverage was served, all of them were sent to the hospital after experiencing stomach pains and vomiting due to food poisoning. The police traced the hot packets and were determined to have expired 25 years ago, in 1990.

The hot chocolate sachets were thought to have been purchased in the late 1980s, at the time Margaret Thatcher was still Prime Minister, noted Daily Mail. The powder laid in the cupboard for a couple of decades until it was discovered by Mrs. Rosetta when one of her grandchildren asked for a cup of wintertime drink. The packets were mixed with milk and then served.

After an hour, Mr. Rosetta's husband began vomiting and experiencing stomach pains, followed by herself, the grandchildren, and then her son, as reported by Il Mattino. They were all rushed to the hospital to be treated with one of the children to be admitted for 20 days, according to a report in Corriere Del Veneto.

Although the hot chocolate poisoning was ruled out as accidental, the 77-year-old Italian woman was still charged with causing injury and is now with prosecution for consideration.

The Inquisitr additionally reports that food poisoning is caused by an overdose of xanthine alkaloid theobromine, a substance commonly found in tea, chocolate, or soda. Overdosing on theobromine is lethal to humans, dogs, cats, mice, and rats. An ounce of raw cacao contains 0.3 grams of theobromine, while processed chocolates or chocolate candies have smaller amounts of theobromine in order to be safely consumed by humans. There have been reports of side effects that have resulted in eating too much chocolate by the elderly.