Life-threatening bacterial outbreak linked to fresh produce has now spread to at least eight countries
Dozens of people have been sickened across at least eight countries with a life-threatening bacteria in an outbreak linked to fresh produce.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports 50 people have been sickened with Salmonella Bovismorbificans between January and April 2026.
At least five people have been hospitalized in the outbreak, which officials suspect is tied to sprout seeds from Italy.
Patients have been identified in Ireland, Finland, Wales and England.
The first report of illness came from The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto), which previously reported 32 people were sick in the country.
There have been three confirmed cases in Ireland.
Fifteen infections have been identified in England and Wales since January, and in the UK and Ireland, certain batches of Good4U Super Sprouts Super Greens were recalled because of Salmonella contamination.
Salmonella infections trigger diarrhea and stomach cramps within six hours and six days of infection, and symptoms normally resolve within four to seven days.
At least five people have been hospitalized in the outbreak, which officials suspect is tied to sprout seeds from Italy (stock image)
But in those most at risk, including children under five and adults over 50, the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and cause the potentially fatal complication sepsis.
Produce can become exposed to salmonella if it is treated with water contaminated with animal feces. The infection can be treated with antibiotics.
Amy Douglas, lead epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: ‘We are working closely with public health agencies to investigate an international Salmonella outbreak which has been linked to consumption of sprouted seeds.
‘Investigations into the source of the contamination are ongoing, however the risk to the UK public is low given a voluntary recall has been initiated for the affected product.
‘If you have bought the recalled product, please 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 any contaminated kitchen utensils.’
The UK recall affects Good4U Super Sprouts Super Greens in 60g packs. Officials said all packs with use-by dates up to and including May 3 are affected.
Along with Finland, Ireland, England and Wales, 10 other cases with similar salmonella strains have been identified in four other countries.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the HSE National Health Protection Office are investigating the outbreak and have linked the illnesses to sprouted seeds.
According to a Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) alert, the suspected sources are alfalfa seeds, clover seeds, broccoli seeds and radish seeds from Italy.
This is not the first time an international outbreak has been tied to seeds.
From 2023 to 2025, an outbreak linked to sprouted seeds caused 509 cases of salmonella across 10 countries.
Finland had 94 cases; there were 110 in Sweden and 257 in Norway. The incident involved eight Salmonella serotypes but not Salmonella Bovismorbificans.
An investigation pointed to a supplier in Italy that sourced seeds from three growers in the same region.
Additionally, according to Food Safety News, a Health and Food Safety (DG Sante) audit in May and June 2025 in Italy found sprouted seeds were being produced by unregistered companies and that there was a lack of enforcement by authorities.
In response, Italian officials said more detail would be included in regional databases on operators, specifically seed producers, which would improve risk-based control measures.
