A French restaurant boss has been charged over one death among multiple cases of botulism earlier this year tied to improperly preserved sardines at the establishment, prosecutors said.
A 32-year-old Greek woman died in September after eating at the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar in central Bordeaux.
She was one of 16 mostly foreign diners who fell ill in the space of a week while the southwestern city was hosting Rugby World Cup matches.
The Mayo-born husband of the woman was also treated in hospital in France.
It is understood the couple travelled to Bordeaux, to attend Ireland's opening match in the Rugby World Cup.
They both took ill on their return to their home in Paris and went to hospital.
"Various infringements of the hygiene regulations by the establishment's manager" were identified, "especially relating to home-made preserves," senior prosecutor Frederique Porterie said in a statement.
The restaurant chief was taken into custody yesterday and charged today with involuntary homicide and wounding, endangering the lives of others, failing to assist a person in danger and selling contaminated or toxic food.
While released from custody, he will be subject to police monitoring and barred from any work relating to food service ahead of the trial.
If convicted, the man could face two to five years in prison and a fine of up to €600,000.
Botulism is a rare, serious neurological condition that is fatal in 5-10% of cases.
It stems from a powerful toxin, produced by a bacteria that can live in poorly-preserved food that has been improperly sterilised.
The disease can interfere with vision, prevent sufferers from swallowing or in advanced cases paralyse muscles, especially respiratory muscles, which can be fatal.
Around 25 people were exposed to the contaminated sardines served at the wine bar, an investigation by French health authorities and police found.
A further investigation is under way into the affected people's medical treatment, prosecutors said.
