Salmonella outbreaks in several countries have left nearly 50 people suspicious of sprouted seeds from Italy.
The outbreak is affecting at least six European countries and the United Kingdom, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
In Ireland, Finland, and the United Kingdom, 48 patients infected with genetically closely related Salmonella Bovismorbificans isolates were reported between January and April 2026.
All cases are adults and the majority are female. At least five people were hospitalized.
First report from Finland
The patients had no recorded travel history and outbreak investigations in all three countries indicated that they had consumed various types of sprouted seeds.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Finnish Food Agency (Ruokavirasto) previously reported 32 people were sick in Finland. The average age of patients was 45 years, and the range was 17 to 77 years. Of the total patients, 23 were women.
Certain batches of Good4U Super Sprouts Super Greens have been recalled in the UK and Ireland due to salmonella. Affected buds are available in 60-gram packs dated April 22, 26, 29, 30 and May 3, 2026.
A total of 15 infections have been confirmed in England and Wales since January 2026.
Amy Douglas, chief epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “We are working closely with public health agencies to investigate an international salmonella outbreak linked to consumption of sprouted seeds.
“An investigation into the cause of the contamination is ongoing. However, the risk to the British public is low as a voluntary recall has been initiated for the affected products. If you have purchased the recalled product, do not eat it. If you have handled the recalled sprouted seeds, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water and clean contaminated kitchen utensils.”
Four other countries identified 10 cases with isolates closely related to Salmonella Bovismorbificans during the same period, and other countries reported a slight increase in infections caused by this Salmonella serotype. Because the investigation is ongoing, food and travel exposures are not yet available.
According to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) alert, the suspected sources are alfalfa seeds, clover seeds, broccoli seeds and radish seeds from Italy.
problems of the past
A Health and Food Safety Directorate (DG Sante) audit in Italy in May and June 2025 found unregistered companies producing sprouted seeds and a lack of enforcement by the authorities.
Commenting on the findings, Italian officials specifically mentioned seed producers and said more details would be included in a regional database on the activities carried out by operators. This helps improve risk-based control planning.
From 2023 to 2025, large-scale outbreaks linked to sprouted seeds recorded 509 confirmed cases in 10 countries. The focus was Northern Europe with 94 cases in Finland, 110 in Sweden and 257 in Norway. This incident involved eight Salmonella serotypes but did not include Salmonella bovis movificans.
Epidemiological investigation, including whole genome sequencing and food traceability, revealed a supplier in Italy who had sourced seeds from three growers in the same region.
