Foodborne diseases
How can I prevent Salmonella?
Following basic hygiene rules during food preparation is very important. And eggs and meat must be cooked properly to be safely eaten.
Most cases of food poisoning are caused by bacteria from raw food which has come into contact with food that is ready to eat. Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause an illness called salmonellosis in humans. It is a common cause of foodborne disease outbreaks and over 91,000 salmonellosis cases are reported each year in Europe.
In foods, Salmonella is mostly found in eggs and raw meat from pigs, turkeys, and chickens. It can spread to humans through contaminated foods.
Symptoms of human salmonellosis include fever, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. If it infects the bloodstream, it can be life-threatening.
At home, you can help to prevent Salmonella infection by properly cooking eggs and meat. Following basic hygiene rules when preparing food, such as regular hand washing and keeping raw foods away from cooked products will also reduce risks from foodborne diseases.
Valentina Rizzi, a food microbiologist at EFSA.
European scientists have also been looking closely at the risks posed by pathogens that can contaminate foods such as fruit, vegetables, cereals, and spices. The top-ranking combinations of foods and pathogens are Salmonella and leafy greens eaten raw, followed by Salmonella and bulb and stem vegetables, like onion and asparagus.
The EU and national partners are involved in protecting consumers from Salmonella. Collaboration between EU Member States, the European Commission, the European Parliament, EFSA and ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) have led to successful programmes to control the spread of Salmonella in poultry and reduce contamination.
