A European outbreak of Salmonella umbilo is currently being reported, with cases identified in several countries according to RASFF notifications. As of the latest update in late September, there have been 98 reported cases in Germany, 16 in Austria, and 23 in Denmark. Investigations conducted by health authorities, including the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), have pinpointed rocket from Italy as the infection vector.
This conclusion is supported by both epidemiological and microbiological evidence, with the Salmonella Umbilo strain showing close genetic relations across samples from Germany, Austria, and Denmark, indicating a single source of contamination. Although the contaminated rocket batches have been identified, they are reportedly no longer available in the market.
The outbreak has affected Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Importers of Italian rocket are advised to strengthen their supplier monitoring controls to prevent further spread.
Source: FPC
For more information:
Kelly Shields
Fresh Produce Consortium
Minerva House, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood,
Peterborough PE2 6FT, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 01733 237117
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.freshproduce.org.uk
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