Foodborne Salmonella Outbreak in Europe: Pumpkin Seeds and Eggs Under Investigation
Pumpkin seeds containing Salmonella Enteritidis led to 81 people falling ill in France, while the number of cases in an egg-borne outbreak in Belgium reached 312.
A health alert has been issued in France and Belgium due to the Salmonella Enteritidis bacterium detected in food products consumed in Europe. While pumpkin seeds are being recalled from shelves, hundreds of cases have been recorded in a separate egg-borne outbreak.
Salmonella Threat in Pumpkin Seeds
Following detailed investigations into 81 people contracting Salmonella infection between May and August, it was determined that the patients had consumed pumpkin seeds.
Products Being Recalled from Shelves in France
Investigations in France revealed that pumpkin seeds originating from a processing facility in Lot-et-Garonne, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, were suspicious.
While affected products, notably at Grand Frais stores, are being recalled from the market, authorities continue their inspections to find the exact source of contamination.
Patient Health Conditions and Risk Group
Some of the individuals who fell ill within the scope of the outbreak applied to hospitals and emergency departments, and it was reported that all of them returned home as their health conditions improved.
Health authorities warned that individuals in risk groups, such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, may experience the infection more severely.
Separate Egg-Borne Outbreak in Belgium
The food alert in Europe was not limited to pumpkin seeds, bringing along a separate egg-borne outbreak in Belgium.
The number of cases linked to eggs distributed from a poultry farm rose to 312 people.
Millions of Eggs Placed on the Market
It was announced that approximately 2 million potentially contaminated eggs had been distributed across Belgium and Luxembourg, and recall procedures have been initiated in Luxembourg.