DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2026.31.38.2600796 ISSN: 1560-7917
Nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis linked to consumption of pumpkin seeds, France, 2026
Gabrielle Jones, Edith Laurent, Erica Fougère, Nathalie Fredricksen, Caroline Kojfer-Lomont, Lorraine Puzin, Sophie Belichon, Anastasia Petrova, Athénaïs Bur, Henriette de Valk, Leonor Silveira, Christian Kornschober, Catherine Ragimbeau, Laetitia Bonifait, Alexandra MouraA nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis is ongoing in France with 81 patients from 3 May to 12 August 2026. Median age was 35 years, and 56 case-patients were female. Investigations identified pumpkin seeds grown in France as the source. A food isolate reported on EpiPulse reinforced initial hypotheses. Recall-withdrawal was initiated on 28 August. Traceback continues including for export. Pumpkin seeds represent a novel Salmonella risk that should be considered in seed production and by public health authorities.