5 Symptoms Of Salmonella As Tomatoes Linked To Dozens Of Cases
UKHSA data showed that the UK saw a salmonella peak last year, with 17.1% rise compared to 2023 (the highest figures of the decade).
The Salmonella Strathcona outbreak, which is particularly dangerous, and the Salmonella Blockley strain, which is concerning because it's not previously been seen much in Europe, were both linked to tomatoes.
'Tomatoes were... blamed for a Salmonella Strathcona outbreak with 24 patients,' Food Safety News shared, while 84 Salmonella Blockley cases were said to come from the fruit.
It's also been associated with eggs and red meat.
Early 2025 data shows salmonella reports were high in the first quarter of this year, too.
Which tomatoes have been linked to salmonella in the UK?
We don't know which tomatoes in particular were linked to the disease, or where they came from.
We also don't know where they were sold in the UK.
But usually, salmonella in tomatoes comes from water supplies as they grow.
Worker hygiene and nearby animals can also affect susceptibility, CBS News added.
Can you wash salmonella off tomatoes?
You should always wash your produce to prevent disease.
But Virginia Tech food microbiologist Robert Williams told CBS News: 'We know you can wash off some salmonella... [but] nobody's ever shown it washes off all salmonella.'
Still, equally, nobody's shown it doesn't, and washing fruits and vegetables helps to prevent other illnesses too.
The Food Standards Agency says we should 'wash them under a running tap, or in a bowl of fresh water, making sure to rub their skin under the water'.
Begin with the least soiled produce first and give fruit and veg a last rinse after the scrub.
What are the symptoms of Salmonella?
Per the NHS, symptoms can take anywhere from six hours to three days (or more) after infection to show.
These include:
Loose stools (usually without blood or mucus)
Abdominal (tummy) pain
Fever, headache
Nausea (feeling sick) and/or vomiting
General tiredness.
Most people will recover in three to seven days. Many cases will go away on their own, but if you have severe symptoms, see your GP.
'In most cases, it is generally advised to wait until 48 hours after last having diarrhoea or sickness before returning to work or school/nursery,' the health service adds.
Washing hands, chilling and cooking food properly, and avoiding all 'raw' dairy can help prevent the disease.
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