3 June update: Monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to chocolate products

This outbreak is characterised by a high proportion of hospitalised (about 40%) cases and some cases with severe clinical symptoms such as bloody diarrhoea.

Based on epidemiological and microbiological investigations, specific chocolate products from a Belgian chocolate factory have been identified as likely vehicles of infection.

Affected cases were identified through advanced molecular typing techniques. As this method of testing is not routinely performed in all countries, some cases may be undetected.

The factory was closed on 8 April 2022 (week 14) and product recalls were launched globally. The recalls aim to prevent the consumption of products potentially contaminated with Salmonella. As a result of control measures, the number of cases has started to decline.

Further investigations are being conducted by public health and food safety authorities in countries where cases are reported, to identify the cause and the extent of the contamination, and to ensure contaminated products are not put on the market. 

Table 1. Number of confirmed and probable cases of monophasic S. Typhimurium in the EU/EEA, the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland and the United States, as of 3 June 2022