Health authorities have issued a warning after 29 people in the UK fell ill in a salmonella outbreak traced to cherry tomatoes from Sicily, Italy. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) identified the contaminated produce as the source of the Salmonella Strathcona infection.
The outbreak, which began in 2023, has affected a total of 289 confirmed cases across multiple countries, including Austria, Germany, France, and the UK. Cases have predominantly occurred during summer months, between June and October, according to a recent ECDC report.
The ECDC warned that the risk of new infections continues as long as contaminated seasonal produce remains in distribution. The report noted that while no new cases have been detected in the UK so far in 2025, the recurrence of cases in other countries suggests ongoing transmission.
The Food Standards Agency advises consumers to wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly under running water before consumption. Investigations are ongoing to identify the root cause of contamination in the supply chain.
