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06.12.2024 - Foods

Foodborne Disease Outbreaks 2023: Main Causes and Causal Foods

In 2023, Salmonella spp. were the most common cause of foodborne outbreaks with high evidence in Germany. According to the joint report of the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 59% of the reported outbreaks (10 out of 17 cases) were attributed to Salmonella. Four outbreaks were caused by Salmonella Typhimurium and two by Salmonella Enteritidis. One outbreak each was traced back to Salmonella Chester, Salmonella Durham, Salmonella Infantis, and Salmonella Mbandaka. Compared to the previous year, this was a significant increase, as in 2022, the share of salmonellosis outbreaks with high evidence was only 29%.

Besides Salmonella, other pathogens were also detected, although to a lesser extent. The second most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus, which was detected in three of the 17 outbreaks (18%). Listeria monocytogenes followed in third place with two outbreaks (12%). Furthermore, Norovirus and histamine were each identified as the cause of one outbreak, corresponding to a share of 6%. In total, these 17 outbreaks led to 255 cases of illness, 63 of which required hospitalization. Two outbreaks resulted in fatalities: one death was attributed to a Salmonella infection, and the other to an infection with Listeria monocytogenes.

The analysis of the foods that caused these disease outbreaks also shows a diverse picture. The largest share was from pork and pork products, which were linked to four outbreaks (24%). Vegetables and vegetable products, including juices, were the cause in three cases (18%). Fish and fish products, meat and meat products, as well as prepared dishes, each triggered two outbreaks (12%). Additionally, isolated outbreaks (6% each) were traced back to food categories such as buffet dishes, cheese, dairy products (excluding cheese), and sweets and chocolate.

A notable finding from the report is that in 2023 no combination of pathogen and causal food was reported multiple times. This underscores the variety of triggers involved and indicates that food safety measures need to address numerous areas simultaneously to effectively prevent such outbreaks.

The figures demonstrate the importance of preventive measures along the entire food chain. Adhering to hygiene standards during the production, processing, and preparation of food remains essential to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Source: www.bvl.de