Salmonella Alert for Pumpkin Seeds and Eggs in Europe
· Milliyet Ekonomi
Salmonella bacteria detected in pumpkin seeds and eggs in France and Belgium have led to hundreds of illnesses and product recalls.
Pumpkin Seed Alert in France
Food safety authorities across Europe have launched a widespread investigation due to the detection of Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria in pumpkin seeds, a common snack. According to official notifications from the French Ministries of Health and Agriculture, 81 people contracted the infection between May and August. Investigations revealed that the affected individuals had commonly consumed pumpkin seeds. Authorities identified products distributed from a processing facility in Lot-et-Garonne, located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, as the focal point of the outbreak.
Recall Decision in the Supply Chain
As part of the investigation, it was determined that the suspicious products were sold in various supermarket chains, notably Grand Frais. The French ministries issued a recall order for the identified at-risk batches to be promptly removed from the supply chain. During official inspections at the processing facility, the source of contamination has not yet been fully identified. Authorities reported that inspections are continuing without interruption to protect public health, and investigations are meticulously proceeding to ensure the complete removal of suspicious batches from distribution channels.
Course of Cases and Risk Groups
It was announced that 6 individuals in the outbreak in France were hospitalized, and 2 sought emergency services. The ministries stated that the health conditions of the treated patients have improved, and all have been discharged. Health authorities reminded that Salmonella infection can be severe in young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms such as diarrhea, high fever, and abdominal cramps can appear within 7 days of the bacteria entering the body.
Salmonella Threat in Plant-Based Products
The recent developments indicate that Salmonella bacteria pose a serious risk not only in animal products but also in plant-based foods like nuts. According to data from the health agency Santé publique France, approximately 198,000 Salmonella cases are recorded annually in France. It is estimated that about 183,000 of these cases are directly transmitted through food. Non-compliance with hygiene rules during the processing of fruits, vegetables, and seeds can lead to major crises in the food chain.
Egg Outbreak Spreads Across Europe
The food safety crisis in Europe is not limited to pumpkin seeds in France. According to data from the Belgian Institute for Public Health Sciensano, 312 people had fallen ill as of September 2nd due to eggs distributed from a poultry farm. It was reported that approximately 2 million potentially contaminated eggs were released into the Belgian and Luxembourg markets. While products were recalled in Luxembourg, it is suggested that the actual number of cases could be much higher due to individuals with mild symptoms not seeking testing.