Germany has reported a decline in outbreaks for 2023, but more people were sick than in the previous year. In 2023, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) received 190 reports of foodborne outbreaks that caused 2,248 illnesses, 283 hospitalizations, and 13 deaths. In 2022, 211 outbreaks were recorded.
At least 1,488 illnesses, 268 hospitalizations, and eight deaths were linked to them. In 2023, Salmonella was the most common cause of outbreaks, followed by Campylobacter. The pathogen was unknown for 19 epidemics.
Large norovirus berry outbreak A total of 18 outbreaks met the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) criteria for outbreaks with high evidence. In these incidents, a link between food and cases was considered sufficiently proven. In 14 outbreaks, evidence came from the detection of the pathogen in the food or its ingredients.
The pathogen was detected in the food chain or the environment in two outbreaks. In another two outbreaks, a link between illness and suspected food was established through an epidemiological study. Outbreaks with high evidence resulted in 925 illnesses, 68 hospitalizations, and three deaths.
Salmonella was behind 10 of these outbreaks. Three were caused by Salmonella Typhimurium, two each by Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Senftenberg, and one each by Salmonella Adelaide and Salmonella Oranienburg. A total of 146 people fell sick, and one died.
Norovirus caused four outbreaks, w.