Health officials have confirmed that a Salmonella outbreak linked to cherry tomatoes from Sicily, Italy, which affected 29 people in the UK, is officially over. However, they continue to advise shoppers to wash their fruit and vegetables thoroughly.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that from January 2023 to September 2025, a total of 289 cases were confirmed across multiple countries. The UK recorded 29 cases, while the US had eight and Canada five. Italy was the worst affected with 78 cases, followed by Germany (68), Austria (59), and France (244).
Although the outbreak is declared over, the ECDC warned that the risk of new infections persists as long as contaminated seasonal produce continues to be distributed, particularly between June and October. Additional cases were reported in 2025, mainly between June and August, with Italy again reporting the highest number.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advised consumers to wash fruit and vegetables under running water before eating. Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director of Gastrointestinal Infections at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), emphasised simple hygiene measures: washing hands after using the bathroom and before handling food, cooking food thoroughly, and avoiding handling food for others if symptomatic.
Salmonella infection typically causes diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever. Treatment focuses on rehydration, with severe cases possibly requiring hospital admission. The source of contamination is still under investigation.
