The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) established the likely source of the international outbreaks in a report published on Thursday, following multiple investigations carried out over a three-year period.

From January 2023 to September 2025, 437 people were confirmed to have been infected with the Salmonella Strathcona (S. Strathcona) strain across 17 EU and EEA member states, including Luxembourg.

This particular strain has been at the center of previous outbreaks in Europe. Some dating as far back as 2011, when the same variation, also likely carried through Sicilian tomatoes, caused an outbreak in Denmark.

While the ECDC indicates that small tomatoes are the likely cause of S. Strathcona infections, they emphasise that further investigations are needed to confirm this across all countries. They also note that other types of produce could be responsible for the spread.

Since 2023, Luxembourg has registered five cases. Two of these occurred in September 2025, with the latest positive sample being reported on 25 September. Both of the most recent patients had also travelled to Italy and consumed tomatoes prior to falling ill.

At a European level, Italy reported the highest total, with 123 cases. Among Luxembourg's neighbouring countries, Germany reported 113, the second-highest number after Italy, while France recorded significantly fewer, with 43 cases. Belgian authorities have not yet published any figures.

The ECDC urges consumers to maintain good hygiene at home by washing hands, thoroughly cleaning fresh produce, and keeping raw and cooked foods separate to prevent cross-contamination.