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More than 800 Salmonella infections have been reported across Europe and North America since 2023, with a recent surge in 2026 linked to Italian tomatoes. Authorities in Puglia have banned raw tomato use in institutional catering due to Salmonella Strathcona detections. Health agencies warn that new outbreaks are likely until the root contamination source is controlled.
More than 800 Salmonella infections have been confirmed across Europe and North America since January 2023, with a significant resurgence recorded between July and September 2026. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) linked the majority of recent cases to the consumption of Italian tomatoes, prompting immediate regulatory action in the Italian region of Puglia. This recurring seasonal outbreak affects at least ten countries, including Austria, France, and Germany, raising urgent concerns about ongoing transmission through contaminated produce supply chains.
The current wave of illness involves more than 160 new cases reported across Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Germany confirmed 39 cases associated with the outbreak since June 2026. Sequencing results for approximately 100 additional cases remain pending, indicating the final scope of this specific cluster may increase. Patient interviews in Germany and Luxembourg revealed that several individuals had consumed cherry tomatoes prior to symptom onset, aligning with reports from Italy where tomato consumption was also noted among cases.
Italian authorities have implemented strict measures in response to the detected pathogens. In the region of Puglia, officials ordered a temporary suspension on the use and serving of raw fresh tomatoes in all institutional catering centers. This ban applies to nurseries, schools, hospitals, and residential care homes. The decision followed the detection of Salmonella Strathcona in a batch of tomatoes from Caltanissetta and the identification of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium in cherry tomatoes earlier this month. Additionally, localized outbreaks were reported in Brescia, with 117 cases, and Bergamo, with 15 cases.
The outbreak is not limited to Europe. Data shows 73 cases in the United Kingdom, 10 in Canada, and 24 in the United States. At least seven Canadians and six Americans had travel histories to Europe before falling ill, suggesting a common exposure linked to imported produce or consumption during travel. The ECDC stated that the recurrence of cases suggests ongoing transmission and distribution of contaminated produce both within and beyond Italy, with patient counts consistently peaking during the summer months.
Risks of Seasonal Produce Contamination
The persistence of this outbreak highlights a critical vulnerability in the international food supply chain, specifically regarding fresh produce that is often consumed raw. The ECDC warned that the risk for new infections remains as long as the seasonal delivery of contaminated produce continues. This situation underscores the difficulty of controlling Salmonella Strathcona when the root cause of contamination, such as irrigation water or soil conditions, remains unidentified. For consumers, this means that standard washing practices may not be sufficient if the contamination is internal or systemic within the plant, necessitating stricter regulatory interventions at the source.
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History of Italian Tomato Links
This is not the first time Italian tomatoes have been implicated in European Salmonella outbreaks. Investigations in Austria in 2025 identified small tomatoes traded from Sicily as the source of infections, reflecting similar findings from 2023. Italian work in 2024 also pointed to tomato consumption. A significant breakthrough occurred in November 2024, when official sampling at a primary producer in Italy found the outbreak strain in a sample of irrigation water taken from a well. This discovery provided a potential pathway for contamination, linking agricultural practices directly to human illness. Follow-up investigations in 2025 confirmed the presence of the outbreak strain in cherry tomatoes from Italy, reinforcing the link between specific agricultural sources and the recurring seasonal spikes in infection rates.
“The risk for new infections remains as long as the seasonal delivery of contaminated produce continues. New outbreaks are likely to occur in future seasons until the root cause of the contamination has been identified and control measures implemented.”
— European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Pending Sequencing and Source Control
While the link to Italian tomatoes is strong, sequencing is pending for 100 additional cases, meaning the exact genetic relationship of these illnesses to the main cluster is not yet fully confirmed. Furthermore, the root cause of the contamination has not been definitively solved. Although irrigation water was found to contain the strain in 2024, it is not yet clear if this remains the primary vector or if other factors, such as post-harvest handling or different agricultural sites, are contributing to the persistence of the outbreak. The full extent of the supply chain distribution of the contaminated batches is also still being mapped by health authorities.
Continued Monitoring and Regulatory Review
Health authorities will continue to monitor case counts through the end of the typical peak season in September and October. The ECDC and national agencies will review the pending sequencing data to determine if the current cases represent a new cluster or a continuation of the existing one. Authorities in Italy are expected to maintain the temporary ban on raw tomatoes in institutional settings until further testing confirms the safety of the supply. Long-term measures will depend on the success of identifying and mitigating the environmental source of the Salmonella strain, with potential implications for agricultural regulations regarding water usage and produce safety standards.
Key Questions
Which countries are affected by this Salmonella outbreak?
The outbreak affects Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Cases have also been reported in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, with some North American patients having travel histories to Europe.
What specific food item is linked to the infections?
Cherry tomatoes and fresh tomatoes from Italy are the primary suspected sources. Interviews with patients in Germany, Luxembourg, and Italy revealed consumption of these items prior to illness, and laboratory tests detected Salmonella in tomato batches.
What measures have been taken in Italy?
Authorities in Puglia have ordered a temporary suspension on the use and serving of raw fresh tomatoes in institutional catering centers, including schools and hospitals. This follows the detection of Salmonella Strathcona in tomatoes from Caltanissetta.
Is the outbreak still active?
Yes, the ECDC states that the risk for new infections remains as long as contaminated produce is being distributed. Sequencing for 100 additional cases is pending, and authorities warn that new outbreaks are likely until the root cause is controlled.
Source: rss
