Salmonellosis outbreak linked to imported sesame-based products
Five European countries have reported salmonellosis infections linked to the consumption of sesame-based products, such as tahini and halva, imported from Syria.
Five European countries have reported salmonellosis infections linked to the consumption of sesame-based products, such as tahini and halva, imported from Syria.
So far, 121 people have been affected since January 2019 in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Several types of Salmonella are linked to the outbreak – S. Amsterdam, S. Havana, S. Kintambo, S. Mbandaka, S. Orion, and S. Senftenberg.
Almost half of the cases (45%) are in children below 10 years of age, and represent the majority of hospitalised cases.
The products were sealed and ready to be consumed, which suggests that contamination occurred before they reached the European market.
Control measures on the involved batches have been implemented since August 2020 but there is very limited background information on product manufacturing. The products have a long shelf life and cases have been reported as recently as September 2021.
EFSA and ECDC scientists have concluded that there is still a risk of new Salmonella infections related to these products in the EU/EEA.
