Salmonella

Description and health risks:

Salmonella can cause food poisoning, with symptoms including nausea, diarrhoea, fever and headaches. Frequently, the illness is mild or asymptomatic, depending on the amount of bacteria consumed and the immune status of the individual. Severe diarrhoea can cause water loss, so it's important to stay hydrated. In frail or elderly people, infection can lead to severe dehydration, which can be life-threatening. 

Symptoms of salmonellosis can appear between 6 and 72 hours after exposure to Salmonella spp bacteria.

People who have consumed a contaminated product and are experiencing symptoms should seek medical advice and disclose their exposure. Symptoms may vary from person to person and may vary in severity depending on the extent of infection.

Which foods are affected?
Salmonellosis is mainly transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked foods of animal origin, such as eggs, poultry meat, other meats and raw milk. Home-made products containing raw eggs, such as tiramisu or mayonnaise, can also be contaminated. The risk increases when undercooked meat comes into contact with ready-to-eat foods, and cross-contamination can occur through poorly cleaned utensils.