On this day in 1988, the longest trial in Spanish legal history ended after 15 months. The jury listened to the testimony of 1,500 witnesses, including the former Prime Minister and two cabinet members, to determine who was responsible for poisoning 25,000 Spaniards with “toxic olive oil.” The cheap oil caused more than 600 deaths and thousands more were left partially paralysed or suffering from other ailments. This case is considered one of the worst public health disasters in modern history.

Filed Under: Culinary History