A multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans ST377 has infected 109 people across 10 EU/EEA countries and the United Kingdom between January and May 2026, with alfalfa sprouted seeds traded from Italy identified as the primary vehicle of infection, according to a joint ECDC-EFSA Rapid Outbreak Assessment published on 14 July 2026. Eighteen cases required hospitalisation and two deaths were reported in Finland. The outbreak predominantly affected adult females.
The assessment, approved by EFSA on 25 June 2026, details that epidemiological and microbiological evidence linked the outbreak to alfalfa sprouted seeds. The outbreak strain was detected in water samples collected during alfalfa sprouted seed harvesting in the Netherlands and Northern Ireland (UK). A Finnish sprouted seed producer was epidemiologically linked to cases in Finland. Traceability investigations in Italy identified a common seed supplier in India, suggesting this area as a potential origin of seed contamination. The strain presumably started circulating in Europe in October 2025 via two alfalfa seed consignments before being distributed across multiple countries.
Control measures have included withdrawal of implicated consignments, recalls of related products, cessation of production, and destruction of suspected products. Following these interventions, case notifications decreased. However, the assessment warns that further infections may occur until the source of contamination is fully identified and controlled, particularly because sprouted seeds can be sold as ready-to-eat products, representing a concern for microbial food safety.
The risk of infections is assessed as low-to-moderate for people in EU/EEA countries who frequently consume sprouted seeds. Public health authorities are encouraged to interview new cases, sequence isolates, and share information in EpiPulse. Food safety authorities are encouraged to investigate the role of the environment in seed contamination. Seed producers should implement appropriate measures to minimise contamination risk, and sprouted seed producers should implement adequate food safety management systems to ensure safe products reach the market.
The outbreak has significant implications for the sprouted seed industry, particularly producers in Italy and the Netherlands, who face potential reputational damage and stricter regulatory scrutiny. Consumers, especially those who frequently eat sprouted seeds, are directly impacted by the health risk and may reduce consumption. EU and national food safety authorities are tasked with enhanced surveillance and traceability measures, while seed suppliers in India may face increased inspection requirements for exports to the EU.