In 1560, the city of Antwerp in the Spanish Netherlands was gripped by a panic over alleged poisonings, with rumors that Jews and other outsiders were conspiring to poison the water supply. The panic, fueled by religious tensions and fears of plague, led to arrests and executions, reflecting the deep-seated anti-Semitism and xenophobia of the era. The incident is a classic example of how fear of poisoning could be weaponized against marginalized groups.

The Antwerp poisoning panic has been referenced in historical works and literature that explore the dynamics of scapegoating and the power of rumor in times of crisis. The event has inspired writers to examine the psychology of fear and the role of prejudice in shaping collective behavior. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of mass hysteria and the vulnerability of minorities to persecution, themes that have been explored in both historical and contemporary literature.