China News Service, April 28. According to the official website of the United Nations on the 27th, Salmonella outbreaks related to chocolate products produced in Belgium have recently occurred in many European and American countries. These chocolates have been sold to at least 113 countries and regions, including China.
On March 27, local time, the United Kingdom notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of a cluster of cases of monophasic Salmonella typhimurium sequence 34 infection.
The investigation showed that the outbreak was linked to chocolate produced in Belgium, which had been sold to at least 113 countries and regions, including China.
The International Network of Food Safety Authorities (INFOSAN) issued a global alert on April 10, initiating a global product recall.
A total of 151 genetically related cases suspected to be linked to the consumption of related chocolate products have been reported in 11 countries.
Bloody diarrhea was present in many cases, but as of April 25, no deaths related to the outbreak had been reported.
Salmonellosis is a disease caused by non-typhoid Salmonella bacteria.
Although approximately 2,500 serotypes have been identified, most human infections are caused by two serotypes of Salmonella: Typhimurium and Enteritidis.
Prevention of salmonellosis requires control measures at all stages of the food chain, from agricultural production to food processing, manufacturing and preparation in commercial establishments and households, WHO said.