Cases of salmonella poisoning after consuming contaminated food have reached a decade high in England, with an expert suggesting the cost of living crisis could be a contributing factor. According to the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there were 10,406 laboratory-confirmed cases of non-typhoidal salmonella in 2025. This represents a 26% increase from 8,242 cases recorded in 2016 and is slightly above the 2024 total of 10,389.
Salmonella is a bacteria commonly found in foods such as eggs and chicken. Last year, 13 different types of the bacteria were detected, causing illness in 269 people, with 33 requiring hospital admission. No deaths were reported, according to the foodborne outbreak data. Outbreak sources included restaurants, a hospital, a nursery, and a prison, while other cases occurred across England. London recorded the highest number of cases, with 2,329 reports.
Cost of Living Crisis Blamed
Dr Kimon Andreas Karatzas, a professor in food microbiology at the University of Reading, told the Independent that the cost of living crisis might be driving the increase. He explained, "The cost of living crisis might be potentially driving changes in supply chains. It is possible that the cost of living crisis forces more people to prepare food by themselves, which might increase the chances of cross contamination."
He added, "The fact that there is no major increase in salmonellosis infections associated with outbreaks and a concurrent increase in campylobacter cases (highly associated with cross contamination at home) might be pointing to this direction. A better investigation of the above factors such as the numbers of salmonellosis infections associated with outbreaks or individual cases might help us understand what the reason for this salmonellosis increase is."
Other Foodborne Illnesses
Cases of campylobacter, another bacteria causing food poisoning, fell year-on-year from 70,392 to 69,394, but UKHSA noted that cases remain high. Listeriosis, one of the most serious foodborne diseases linked to contaminated raw food, killed 28 of the 181 infected last year and resulted in 13 stillbirths or miscarriages.
UKHSA has urged the public to practice good food hygiene to reduce the risk of diarrhoea and vomiting caused by bacteria in contaminated food. Young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems should take extra care, as they are at higher risk of developing serious illness.
Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA, said: "We are seeing consistently high levels of gastrointestinal infections in England. We continue to work closely with partners to detect, investigate, and stop the spread of these infections. These infections spread in many ways – through contaminated food or water, contact with an infected person, or contact with infected animals or their environment. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet, handling raw meat, eating, and contact with animals or farms, can help prevent infection. Anyone experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting should avoid handling or preparing food for others, should not return to work, and children should not attend school or nursery until at least 48 hours after symptoms have cleared."
