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Salmonella contamination in Italian cherry tomatoes

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-14 17:11 UTC → 2026-10-16 20:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Italian Ministry of Health issued a recall for G&V Ortaggi cherry tomatoes, specifically lot number 210 distributed in 6.5 kg crates, due to the presence of Salmonella spp. The company is located in Gela, Caltanissetta. Subsequent investigations by Italian inspectors identified two specific strains of Salmonella—typhimurium and strathcona—in the Sicilian-produced tomatoes. The contamination is suspected to have originated from irrigation water used on Sicilian agricultural lands. The outbreak has resulted in over 130 reported infections, primarily in the provinces of Brescia and Bergamo, with some children requiring hospitalization. The European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notified neighboring countries, including Croatia and Slovenia. In Croatia, the State Inspectorate confirmed that several hospitality businesses in the Istria and Primorje regions purchased the affected tomatoes from a Metro store in Trieste, Italy. While no cases directly linked to these shipments have been reported in Croatia or Slovenia, health authorities continue to monitor the situation. In response to the recall, authorities in the Piana di Gela region are implementing stricter safety protocols. New measures discussed in Caltanissetta include mandatory testing of irrigation water from wells and laboratory analysis of every production lot before sale. Producers will also be required to immediately notify health authorities of any positive results. Investigators are also working to verify a potential link between the product and illnesses reported among children in Valtrompia. Recent updates indicate the outbreak has expanded, with over 160 confirmed cases recorded across ten European countries since July 2026. In Austria, 29 cases have been reported since late July, with 21 microbiologically confirmed. Health authorities have issued warnings regarding cocktail tomatoes from the Sicilian regions of Ragusa and Caltanissetta, advising consumers to heat the products thoroughly as washing may not ensure safety.

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