Alert after salmonella outbreak leaves one dead and 100 ill including 30 Brits - with contaminated salad to blame

Public health officials are warning consumers after a Europe-wide salmonella outbreak linked to sprouted seeds reached 109 confirmed cases across 11 countries, including 30 in the UK.

The outbreak, which the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says is caused by Salmonella Bovismorbificans ST377, has already led to one confirmed death in Finland. A second death there is being investigated but has not been formally confirmed.

Eighteen people have been hospitalised.

Cases across Europe

Finland has reported the highest number of confirmed infections, with 35 cases. The UK follows with 30, then the Netherlands with 17.

Germany and Ireland have each reported six cases. Belgium and Denmark have four each, Luxembourg has three, Austria has two, and Czechia and Spain have one each.

The ECDC said the outbreak spans 11 countries in total and that its latest assessment, dated June 16, counted 109 confirmed cases.

What the investigation points to

Health officials say alfalfa sprouted seeds are the main suspected vehicle, although other sprouted seeds may also be involved.

The ECDC says the outbreak strain is presumed to have entered Europe in October 2025 via two alfalfa seed consignments imported from India and then distributed by an Italian supplier.

That cross-border supply chain is central to the investigation. The focus is now on trace-back work to identify whether any other seed lots or products are linked to the same contamination.

Sprouted seeds can be difficult to trace because they are often used in small amounts in salads and sandwiches, making them easy for consumers to overlook when trying to remember what they ate.

How the outbreak unfolded

The first reported cases were in January 2026, according to the ECDC assessment.

By April, retailers in the UK and Ireland had already begun recalling sprouted-seed products over salmonella risk. In the UK, recalls included Good4U Super Sprouts Super Greens, which was sold at major supermarkets including Waitrose and Sainsbury's.

Irish authorities also recalled the same product over possible salmonella contamination.

The ECDC began its rapid assessment on May 11.

Its later review found that recent recalls had been followed by significantly fewer new cases and that no new cases were reported in June during its assessment period.

Public-health response

The outbreak has drawn in health and food-safety authorities across Europe, including agencies in Finland, the UK, Ireland and Italy, alongside the ECDC.

The confirmed case distribution suggests a supply-chain problem rather than a single local venue. Officials say the strain likely moved through imported seed consignments before affecting consumers in multiple countries.

That makes continued trace-back work important, because additional contaminated products could still be identified and removed from circulation.

What consumers should know

Health officials are advising people to avoid implicated sprouted-seed products until the source is fully controlled.

The outbreak is especially concerning for young children, pregnant women, older adults and immunocompromised people, who face a higher risk of severe illness from salmonella.

Further recalls remain possible if investigators link more products or seed lots to the outbreak.

Case numbers may also change if probable infections are confirmed or if additional patients are identified across Europe.