June 10, 2008
 

EU survey finds 1 in 10 pigs contaminated with salmonella

One in 10 pigs slaughtered for human consumption in the EU are contaminated with salmonella, the European Food Safety Authority said Monday (June 10, 2008).

Spain had the highest prevalence of the bacteria with 29 percent of pigs slaughtered found to be contaminated. Greece had 25 percent and Portugal 23 percent. Finland was the only country to have no contamination.

The survey was carried out between October 2006 and September 2007 across 25 of the EU's 27 member countries. The survey did not include Romania and Malta.

Around 35 out of every 100,000 Europeans suffered from salmonella infections in 2006, according to the EU.

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes food-borne illnesses such as typhoid fevers.