Raw sprouted alfalfa seeds linked to over 500 salmonellosis cases in Europe

EUROPE –  The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has linked the multiple Salmonella enterica outbreaks detected in several European countries in the last two years to alfalfa sprouts from a seed supplier in Italy.

Between January 2023 when the first case was reported in Germany, and January 2025, 509 laboratory confirmed cases of salmonellosis were reported by nine EU countries; Belgium (1), Denmark (4), Estonia (1), Finland (94), France (3), Germany (30), the Netherlands (9), Norway (257), Sweden (110) and one case in the United Kingdom. 

Following these concerning findings, on 16 January 2025, the European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the ECDC to produce a joint rapid outbreak assessment (ROA) to trigger further public health and food safety investigations.

Across the reported outbreaks, cases were infected with nine different strains of Salmonella enterica comprising eight serotypes: S. adelaide, S. enteritidis, S. hvittingfoss, S. kinondoni, S. kisarawe, S. newport, S. typhimurium and S. richmond. The majority of the cases (66%) were female and adult. 

While no deaths were reported, salmonella can cause serious illness, particularly in infants, older or frail adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Common symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, chills, headaches and nausea. As a precaution, authorities urge people to avoid eating sprouted seeds unless they are thoroughly cooked.

The outbreaks were initially investigated as separate events. However, traceability investigations in Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden linked Salmonella-positive or suspected sprout products to seed suppliers and producers in the same geographical area in Italy, an area hypothesised as the potential source of the contamination.

The food safety authorities of the countries concerned reported implementing control measures, including the withdrawal and recall of positive and suspected-positive batches. 

New cases could still crop up

Although these interventions have decreased case notifications, several countries continue to detect new cases. For example, Denmark reported one new case in January 2025 (four months after the last notified case), indicating the possibility of some contaminated seed batches still in circulation. 

The ECDC and EFSA provide that new cases are expected to continue until the point(s) of contamination is/are confirmed and adequately controlled. 

The EFSA therefore urges seed producers to apply all the procedures (e.g. Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)) necessary to prevent microbial contamination of seeds intended for sprouting, and sprout producers to implement adequate food safety management systems to ensure that only safe products reach the market.

Furthermore, public health and food safety authorities are encouraged to conduct further assessments and investigations to pinpoint the source of contamination, prevent more infections, and strengthen food safety measures.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.