Data
Cluster of Salmonellosis Cases Linked to the Consumption of Pumpkin Seeds
The National Reference Center (NRC) for Salmonella at the Pasteur Institute has identified a cluster of 81 strains of Salmonella Enteritidis with the same genomic profile. The strains were isolated from ill individuals between May 3 and August 12, 2026. The cases include 56 women and 25 men, with an average age of 36. These individuals are distributed across 10 regions: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (27), Île-de-France (12), Hauts-de-France (8), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (8), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (8), Grand Est (5), Brittany (5), Occitanie (4), Pays de la Loire (2), and Normandy (2).
Initial epidemiological investigations conducted by Santé publique France identified that the majority of those who fell ill had shopped at the same supermarket chain and had consumed various nuts and seeds, including pumpkin seeds. This information was supplemented by food traceability investigations conducted by the Directorate General for Food.
All of these epidemiological, microbiological, and traceability investigations have established a link between the occurrence of these clustered cases of infection and the consumption of pumpkin seeds sourced from a single supplier in France and distributed primarily through the Grand Frais chain of stores. Other retail chains are also involved. Traceability investigations are ongoing to identify these distribution points and pinpoint the source of the contamination.
Withdrawal and recall operations began on August 28, 2026, and will be carried out by the other affected retailers.
The surveillance system for Salmonella infections, which is based on mandatory reporting of foodborne illness outbreaks and data from the National Reference Center, makes it possible to track trends in this infection.
Salmonellosis outbreaks are detected regularly
Deli meats and raw-milk cheeses are the foods most frequently linked to outbreaks. It is also worth noting the occurrence of salmonellosis outbreaks among infants associated with the consumption of contaminated powdered milk.
See also
- Cases of salmonellosis linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked horse meat (2020)
- Salmonella Dublin outbreak and raw-milk cheeses
- Outbreak of Poona serotype salmonellosis among infants, 2018–2019
A stable number of salmonellosis cases identified by the CNR
Despite the numerous control measures implemented across various sectors, the annual number of strains reported to the CNR remains stable, at around 10,000 per year.
Changes in the bacterial strains involved
The strains of "The set of antigenic characteristics of certain microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that allow for the differentiation of strains belonging to the same species." data-tooltip-title="The set of antigenic characteristics of certain microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that allows for the differentiation of strains belonging to the same species." data-tooltip-content="" data-tooltip-placeholder-is-selection="true" data-tooltip-placeholder-is-selection-text="serotype" data-tooltip-data="[{"tooltipTitle":"The set of antigenic characteristics of certain microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi), which allow for the differentiation of strains belonging toà the same species.","tooltipContent":"","placeholderIsSelection":"true","placeholderIsSelectionText":"serotype"}]">serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium are the most common serotypes in France. Monophasic variants of Typhimurium have emerged since the early 2000s and are now among the top 3 in the set of antigenic characteristics of certain microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi), which allow strains belonging to the same species to be distinguished." data-tooltip-title="The set of antigenic characteristics of certain microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi), which allow strains belonging to the same species to be distinguished." data-tooltip-content="" data-tooltip-placeholder-is-selection="true" data-tooltip-placeholder-is-selection-text="serotypes" data-tooltip-data="[{"tooltipTitle":"The set of antigenic characteristics of certain microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi), which allow for the differentiation of20strains belonging to the same species.","tooltipContent":"","placeholderIsSelection":"true","placeholderIsSelectionText":"serotypes"}]">serotypes in France.
Multidrug resistance to antibiotics among Salmonella strains has been on the rise globally over the past decade.
All of these factors underscore the need to remain vigilant in order to adapt recommendations and control measures.
Morbidity and mortality remain high
In France, Salmonella, along with norovirus and Campylobacter infections, accounts for the majority of foodborne cases and hospitalizations. Infections caused by Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, meanwhile, account for half of all foodborne deaths.
article
6 September 2019
Salmonellosis in France, 2002–2010: Trends in human epidemiology, the emergence of the monophasic strain, and the main food sources implicated in recent outbreaks.
CNR 2017 Activity Report
article
6 September 2019
Estimates of Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Foodborne Infections in Metropolitan France, 2008–2013
An Outbreak of Salmonellosis Caused by Salmonella Serotype Agona Among Infants
In 2017, 39 infants with a median age of 4 months developed salmonellosis caused by Salmonella serotype Agona. The identification in late November 2017 of 8 strains over an 8-day period by the CNR triggered an alert, and epidemiological investigations began on December 1, 2017, among the parents of the affected infants.
The epidemiological investigation conducted by Santé publique France in collaboration with the CNR, the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), and the General Directorate of Health (DGS), focused on the foods consumed during the 3 days prior to the onset of symptoms. All of the infants had consumed, prior to the onset of their symptoms, powdered milk manufactured at the same facility in France. This facility had previously been the source of an outbreak of S. Agona salmonellosis among infants in 2004–2005. The same epidemic clone was identified in the strains isolated from the infants in 2017 and those isolated from the affected infants during the first outbreak in 2004–2005, indicating the persistence of this S. Agona strain for more than 12 years at this plant.
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In relation to
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever
thematic dossier
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A foodborne illness outbreak is defined as the occurrence of at least two cases with similar symptoms—typically gastrointestinal—that can be traced to a single food source. In France, such...
