EFSA publishes results of survey on Salmonella in breeding pigs in the EU

...Salmonella is a major cause of food-borne illness in humans; it is usually contracted from eating contaminated food, especially of animal origin...

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the results of an EU-wide survey on Salmonella in breeding pigs. The survey indicates that Salmonella is commonly detected in holdings with breeding pigs in most EU Member States. The report recommends further studies on surveillance for Salmonella in breeding pigs.

The survey was carried out in 24 Member States, Norway and Switzerland and all but two countries found some type of Salmonella in their holdings with breeding pigs. On average, Salmonella was found in 1 out of 3 holdings with breeding pigs across the EU, but the survey also says that figures vary greatly between Member States.

EU legislation foresees reduction targets for Salmonella in foods and animal populations as part of the overall EU strategy to reduce food-borne diseases in humans. EFSA’s survey results will support the setting of these reduction targets for breeding pigs(...)

Salmonella is a major cause of food-borne illness in humans; it is usually contracted from eating contaminated food, especially of animal origin. Farm animals are important sources of Salmonella contamination of food. Salmonella in breeding pigs can potentially be transmitted to slaughter pigs and can contaminate transport and slaughter facilities. This may lead to Salmonella-contamination of pig meat and consequently to human disease....

Source: EFSA publishes results of survey on Salmonella in breeding pigs in the EU

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